Motorcycle accidents can occur along any of the roads in Bakersfield, from residential areas to up and down Route 204 or Route 58. No matter where a motorcycle accident occurs, the risks it poses to the rider are numerous and often catastrophic. As a result, if you suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident for any reason, you need an experienced and trusted Bakersfield motorcycle accident attorney to guide you through the legal process.
Consider some of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in Bakersfield and why working with a trusted attorney is so critical.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Bakersfield
Motorcycle accident attorneys can provide you with many examples of the horrible situations their clients have faced on the back of their bikes. These accidents are often directly related to other drivers’ mistakes, though motorcycle riders can often face unfair blame and bias. By better understanding what causes motorcycle accidents, you may see that you have a case to take up against the person responsible for your losses.
The following are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Bakersfield, including the collisions they often cause.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is a very common cause of motorcycle accidents. A driver who is traveling at excessive speeds or weaving through traffic is putting everyone else in the vehicle at risk for severe injury. Further, motorcycles can be difficult to see, and by the time a speeding and reckless driver notices a motorcycle, they might not stop or slow down in time to avoid a collision.
Intoxicated Drivers
Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be unable to react to motorcycle riders fast enough, leading to a high risk of injury. Intoxication can occur from alcohol, drugs, medications, or even over-the-counter products if they interfere with the way a person can navigate and drive safely.
Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers are some of the most likely to strike a person on a motorcycle. They may be looking at their phone and not glance up soon enough to see a motorcycle in front of them or coming toward them with the right of way. Distracted driving involves any activity behind the wheel that removes a driver’s focus from driving, eyes from the road, or hands from the wheel.
Unsafe Lane Changes
There are times when changing lanes creates a very high risk of accidents for motorcycle riders. This happens for various reasons, but typically, it is due to other drivers not noticing you as they switch lanes. Even if you have the right of way, you may still be hit if the other driver does not check for your bike in their blind spot.
Road Conditions
The road conditions under your motorcycle’s wheels also significantly affect stability and safety. You may know how to avoid very slick conditions and stay off the road when it’s windy. However, if a construction company left gravel on the road, the city failed to maintain potholes, or other unsafe conditions were present because of someone’s mistakes, that can be a form of negligence and liability for the accident.
Other Driver Errors
Driver errors are common causes of motorcycle accidents. Specifically, left-hand turns without yielding often cause deadly accidents. A driver may not pay attention and strike you even if you had the right of way entering the intersection. Because your bike is so much smaller than a car, it’s easy for them to miss (especially if they are not paying attention). However, drivers have the duty to watch for smaller vehicles like motorcycles, so size is not an excuse for hitting a motorcyclist.
Rear-end collisions are also common results of driver error. You may be stopped at a light and struck by a person from behind. It can often occur if the driver misjudges the motorcycle’s location or movement. It is also possible to be rear-ended in a motorcycle accident while you are in motion, which can lead to severe injuries.
Motorcycle Maintenance and Design Issues
Motorcycles require routine maintenance. They can be prone to breaking down if they do not receive it, causing a higher risk of injuries. In some situations, you may expect that your bike is in good condition, especially if it was just serviced. The technician might have made a mistake that put you at risk due to faulty maintenance or repairs.
Also, note that a faulty design or a poorly constructed component on the bike can cause serious issues in some cases. That may mean the manufacturer is responsible for the accident if it was brought on by motorcycle defects.
How to Prove What Caused Your Accident
One of the most challenging aspects of winning a motorcycle accident case is proving that you did not cause the accident yourself. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of stigma around motorcycle riders, who inevitably are blamed for causing accidents or being reckless in the way they drive. That makes it harder for you, the victim, to prove what happened to you was the fault of the other driver.
To gather this information, your motorcycle accident attorney will spend significant time collecting information and evidence, creating a comprehensive reconstruction of the incident. Some evidence that may help prove the cause and fault in a motorcycle accident include:
- Eye witness statements: Anyone who saw what happened will be a valuable resource for proving your case. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will gather statements from all parties present who may have seen what occurred.
- Accident evidence: There are many times when the evidence at the accident scene can clarify what happened. For example, if a distracted driver struck you, there may not be any skid marks indicating they tried to slow down.
- Accident recreation: Some outstanding advanced technology can also be used to help support your claims. These tools help to re-create what happened at the scene of the incident, which can help demonstrate through a visual what occurred and why.
With the help of a motorcycle accident attorney, the evidence to build a strong case for you becomes more readily available. They will use their extensive resources to gather evidence, develop a solid legal strategy to support your case, and then fight hard for your compensation.
Top Areas for Motorcycle Accidents in Bakersfield
Most roadways are built for larger vehicles, including cars and trucks. Motorcycle riders are rarely given much thought in the design process for roads. However, location is crucial when considering all the common causes of motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle accidents are more likely to happen in certain areas in Bakersfield. The type of traffic or a poorly designed intersection can lead to higher risks of injuries. Some of the most dangerous areas in Bakersfield include the following:
- Construction zones. Bakersfield is always updating and changing its infrastructure, and construction zones are particularly worrisome because they cause changes in the stability of the roadways and often involve uneven pavement or materials and debris on the road.
- Blind spot areas. There are many areas throughout Bakersfield where left-turn accidents are very common due to nearly blind left turns. These include busy intersections in residential areas or some urban areas where buildings are close to each other blocking views of traffic.
- Parking lots. Parking lots can be very busy areas with people moving around quicker than they should. Cars may not pay attention when they back up, putting you at risk.
- Driveways. One of the most common areas where motorcycle accidents occur in Bakersfield is on residential roads, where people are backing out of driveways and not paying attention.
- Larger streets during heavy traffic. Some of the city’s most commonly used thoroughfares create the highest accident risk when traffic backs up and it becomes difficult to navigate around cars.
No matter where these accidents occur, one of the most important things to remember is that if you are hurt in a motorcycle accident, someone else may be at fault. Many times, it is the other driver. You should always seek legal support from an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Bakersfield who can identify your best options.
How A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You
A skilled motorcycle accident attorney has experience you can rely on to handle the legal process. With many motorcycle riders being treated unfairly by insurance companies and in the court of public opinion, it can be highly challenging to recover your damages without legal guidance. An attorney can help in several ways.
Determine the Cause of the Motorcycle Accident and all Liable Parties
This is one of the most critical parts of the process. A motorcycle accident lawyer will gather all available evidence, verify the accuracy of the police report, and look for any additional evidence to support your claim. The bottom line is that an attorney wants to know who is involved and make sure they pay.
Calculating Your Losses
The injuries you suffered and their effects on your life will directly influence the value of your claim. A motorcycle accident lawyer will calculate the compensation you deserve by considering all your potential losses, which may include:
- Medical bills from the accident and onward
- Lost time at work due to the injury and your recovery
- Property damage to your bike and other assets
- Pain and suffering claims
- Emotional distress
When you have catastrophic injuries, such as amputations or paralysis, your attorney will strive to prove the life-long nature of your losses. Your life may be comprehensively different now than it was due to someone else’s mistakes. Let an experienced motorcycle accident attorney fight for fair compensation.
Attorneys Negotiate with the Insurance Company
You should not settle your case with the insurance company without legal representation. It is very common for insurance companies to reduce the compensation offered because they know you want to get the claim resolved. A motorcycle accident attorney makes sure they act reasonably and provide you with a fair offer that covers your losses.
A motorcycle accident lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company using strong evidence and legal arguments. They will speak to medical experts, answer insurance company questions, and demonstrate your losses. If they do not settle your case fairly to cover your losses, a motorcycle accident lawyer can file a lawsuit that forces the insurance company into litigation.
Your Lawyer Will Go to Trial When They Need To
Most cases never make it to trial. Going to court is expensive for insurance companies, and often, it results in the insurance company offering a settlement at the last minute before the trial date. However, when there is a need to do so, you can expect a motorcycle accident attorney to fight tirelessly for you in a court of law, proving liability and what your case is worth.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident
No matter the cause of your injuries, follow through with all medical care your doctor recommends. Please do not go back to work until they approve you to do so, and be sure to follow through on all prescribed treatments for traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, burns, broken bones, and any other injury you have.
You should also keep a journal or log that allows you to document how you are navigating your recovery process. Write down examples of how you feel, the pain levels you have, and activities you were unable to do because of your injuries.
Set Up a Free Consultation with A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer, Mickey Fine
Turn to a local Bakersfield motorcycle accident attorney who is ready to help determine your legal options. When you are facing injuries, financial loss, frustrations related to insurance company denials, and emotional trauma, you need a strong advocate. Contact a lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how they can help.
The consultation is your chance to ask questions and gain a clear understanding of your options moving forward. An experienced Bakersfield personal injury attorney will explain the legal process in simple terms and outline the potential outcomes available to you. Don’t delay, call today. Case evaluations are free with no obligation.