Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Sacramento

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Sacramento

Motorcycles offer riders a great way to get around and connect with the open road. Because motorcycles, however, offer no protection from the impact of motorcycle accidents, they are exceptionally dangerous. If another driver’s negligence leaves you injured in a motorcycle accident, seek the skilled legal guidance of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Sacramento. 

Motorcycle Accidents Are Far Too Common

The following statistics from the National Safety Council (NSC) highlight exactly how common and how dangerous motorcycle accidents are:

• Only 3 percent of the registered vehicles on our roadways are motorcycles, which account for only .6 percent of the vehicle miles traveled, but motorcyclists represent a full 14 percent of all traffic deaths.
• In the 12 years from 2007 to 2019, the fatality rate for motorcyclists rose by 5.3 percent (in terms of vehicle miles traveled).
• In a recent year, the number of injuries caused by motorcycle accidents rose by almost 2.4 percent, and the injury rate per vehicle mile traveled rose by 4.8 percent. 

Risk Factors

While every motorist is responsible for navigating and sharing the road safely, far too many fail to see motorcyclists in their midst. Because too many drivers fail to look, too few motorcyclists are seen, which increases the risk factor for those who ride considerably. Additional risk factors for motorcyclists include:

• Motorcycles require shorter stopping distances, which means that when a motorist drives too close to a forward motorcycle, it is that much more dangerous.
• A motorcycle can be completely lost in a driver’s blind spot, and motorists who refuse to check their blind spots carefully before changing lanes put motorcyclists at increased risk.

While lane splitting is legal in California, driver negligence – or worse – can make the practice especially dangerous. It is illegal for a motorist to attempt to block or impede a motorcyclist who is engaging in lane splitting, and this includes opening a car door to block the biker. Unfortunately, not all motorists are as focused on safety as they should be, and some take an active interest in thwarting the safe passage of motorcyclists (who have the legal right to move through traffic more freely). 

Your Claim

If another driver’s negligence leaves you injured in a motorcycle accident, the losses addressed in your claim should include all the following that apply:

• Property damage to your bike
• Your medical expenses (including those related to any ongoing healthcare needs)
• Your lost wages (including the matter of any lost earning potential)
• Your physical and emotional pain and suffering

Obtaining the compensation to which you are entitled is an important step on the path toward recovering your health and well-being post-accident. 

An Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Sacramento Is on Your Side

If you’ve been injured in a bike accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, the road forward is challenging, but the veteran motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott Righthand in Sacramento are well prepared to help. Your claim and your recovery are important, so please don’t wait to schedule your free consultation by contacting us today.