The Dangers of Motorcycle Accidents in Southern California
Many people will tell you there’s no better place to go riding than Southern California, with its beautiful weather, winding roads, and friendly people. But riding a motorcycle comes with risks. Riders are at greater risk of injury than those who travel in more traditional passenger vehicles, and when collisions do happen, riders are more likely to suffer serious or even fatal injuries.
If you’re hurt in a motorcycle accident in Southern California, you may be entitled to compensation from the liable party. It all starts with a consultation with the team of aggressive personal injury attorneys at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri. We fight hard on behalf of every client to hold insurance companies accountable. Call us at 1-855-WINNING (946-6464) to schedule a consultation right now.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics and Laws
Southern California is home to some of the most beautiful motorcycle routes in the country, including Glendora Mountain Road, San Gabriel County Road Highway 39, and Angeles Crest Highway. Additionally, there are more registered motorcycles than there are in any other state in America. Unfortunately, these facts also mean that motorcycle crashes are not uncommon in California. The California Office of Traffic Safety maintains data on collisions, and in general, the news is promising. Although there are many accidents in California, serious and fatal crashes are decreasing. Between 2018 and 2019, fatal motorcycle crashes decreased nearly 10%. During the same time period, biker deaths caused by not wearing a helmet decreased a full 18%. There is still work to be done in this area, especially when it comes to drivers’ perceptions of bikers and how they treat bikers on the road.
Bikers Are At Increased Risk of Serious Injuries
The design of motorcycles naturally puts motorcyclists at a heightened risk of serious or fatal injuries. While occupants of passenger vehicles are surrounded by several tons of metal and machinery that absorb the force of a crash on their behalf, bikers have no such protection. They only have whatever protection is provided by their helmet and biking gear. In a collision, bikers are at risk of being thrown from their bikes, which puts them at risk of serious abrasions and infections caused by road rash. The force of a crash also makes lower extremity injuries more likely, often leaving motorcyclists with broken legs and soft tissue damage.
Of course, the greatest danger is reserved for those who ride without helmets. Although California law does require all riders and passengers to wear an approved safety helmet, there are still riders that choose to go without. This substantially increases the likelihood of a traumatic brain injury or fatal injury.
Knowing that motorcyclists are in danger of severe injuries, one would expect other drivers to be extra careful and leave plenty of space around bikers while driving. Unfortunately, that isn’t often the case. Drivers are often completely unaware that there are bikers around them, and when they do notice them, they fail to leave a proper amount of space and may even drive aggressively around them intentionally.
Protecting Yourself After an Accident
If you are one of the many unfortunate motorcyclists to be injured in a crash this year, make sure you take steps to protect yourself and fight for fair and full compensation. First, get checked out by a doctor immediately. This may mean heading to a nearby urgent care facility or, if your injuries are serious, an emergency room. Not only does this allow you to get the treatment you need right away, it can strengthen your personal injury claim by proving that your injuries are related to the collision.
Next, you will want to talk to a motorcycle accident attorney in Southern California. Make sure that the attorney you choose knows how the odds are often stacked against riders and is able to counteract that bias. Bikers are still treated unfairly by other drivers, by insurance companies, and by society as a whole. You’ll need a committed and determined attorney who is willing to get to the bottom of your case, figure out what happened, and demand the compensation you are owed.
Turn to DeWitt Algorri & Algorri for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
When you choose DeWitt Algorri & Algorri for your motorcycle accident case, you can feel confident that your claim is in good hands. Our long history of successful settlements and court awards speaks for itself. Schedule a time to talk to our team now by getting in touch online or calling us at 1-855-WINNING (946-6464).
Mark Algorri has successfully represented individuals and their families in matters involving serious and catastrophic injuries, insurance claims denials, and wrongful deaths, achieving a success rate of 99 percent for our clients.
