Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclist are 10 times more likely to be injured and 35 times more likely to die than passengers in a car crash. With the increase in popularity or motorcycles, there are more and more motorcycle accidents each year. In the past, most motorcycle accident cases involved young riders (18-25) on sport bikes. But recently, I have seen a trend to more and more motorcycle accidents involving riders over 40 and in my case over 50 years old.
Most cases we handle involve "Failure to Yield" or "Left Turn" cases (CVC 21801a) in which a car turns directly into your path at an intersection, "Unsafe Lane Change" cases which occur on the freeway, or "Exit" cases, where a driver exits a driveway into you or your path. But we also take on the difficult cases- where the Traffic Collision Report alleges the motorcyclist is primarily at fault for riding at Unsafe Speed (CVC 22350) or for making an "Unsafe Lane Change" (CVC 21658a).
As a former Traffic Judge pro tem in California Superior Court- motorcycle attorney Tom Reinecke can answer your legal questions and provide you with answers.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need the Best Motorcycle Lawyer. Attorney Tom Reinecke has been recognized as the "Top Gun" of motorcycle accident attorneys in Southern California. The Reinecke Law Firm are Real Lawyers that get Real Results. We are not a referral service. We have offices serving Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire and San Diego.
For more information about what you should do after a motorcycle accident, see our motorcycle accident information page or call us at (800) 275-8326.
IMPORTANT - Never, ever give a written or recorded statement to any insurance company without contacting a motorcycle accident attorney first. The questions asked by the insurance company are designed to have you either admit liability or admit to being partially at fault for causing or contributing to the accident. YOU ARE NOT AT FAULT- CALL AN ATTORNEY.
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Free call and consultation: Call California motorcycle accident attorney Tom Reinecke at 800-275‑8326 for an immediate, no-obligation lawyer consultation. With offices in Santa Ana, San Diego and Los Angeles, we represent motorcycle accident victims throughout Southern California.
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Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents, like all accidents involving motor vehicles, can be caused by a number of different factors. While an accident can be the fault of the motorcycle driver, many times, other drivers cause accidents involving motorcycles. Because of a motorcycle's relatively small size, many drivers of passenger cars and trucks do not see motorcyclists. Even if they check their mirrors before changing lanes or turning, the motorcycle may be in the car's blind spot, and an accident may result. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, contact The Reinecke Law Firm in Serving All of Southern California, California ]], today to schedule a consultation with an attorney to talk about your legal options for recovery.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that the most common type of motorcycle crashes are those involving a motorcycle and another vehicle. In 75 percent of the two-vehicle accidents in 2009, the motorcycle was hit in the front, while in 6 percent the motorcycle was hit from behind. In 42 percent of these crashes, a vehicle was making a left turn while the motorcycle was going straight, passing or overtaking the vehicle
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Another cause of motorcycle accidents is speeding or reckless driving by either the motorcyclist or driver of an automobile or other vehicle. Motorcyclists who ride "supersport" cycles, which are consumer versions of racing motorcycles and have powerful engines, may try to reach high speeds. Both car drivers and motorcycle riders can be found negligent if they drive aggressively, speed, do not pay attention or drive too close to the vehicle in front of them.
Alcohol Use
Alcohol is a contributing factor in many fatal motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 42 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists in 2009 had blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) at or above 0.08 percent.
Unsafe Road Conditions
Dangerous road conditions are a cause of many automobile and motorcycle accidents. Conditions such as slick surfaces, ridges in the pavement, fluid spills and debris on the road can be even more dangerous for motorcycles than cars because of their small size and lessened ability to respond to these conditions. The design of a motorcycle, with two wheels rather than four wheels, makes it less stable than cars and trucks. In addition, road barriers such as guardrails that are designed to retain cars can be deadly if a motorcyclist collides with them. Because of their small size and lack of enclosure, crashing into a fixed object can be more hazardous for motorcycles than other motor vehicles. In 2009, 24 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes involved fixed objects, while 17 percent of fatal car crashes involved fixed objects.
Contact a Lawyer
If you or a family member was injured in a motorcycle accident, you may have questions about your legal options. An experienced personal injury attorney at The Reinecke Law Firm in Serving All of Southern California, California can review your situation and evaluate your options.
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