San Diego Motorcycle Accidents

With a population of over 1.425 million, San Diego is the 2nd largest city in California. A prime destination for tourists and a heavy commuting town, the city’s roadways are busy with workers entering and leaving for work daily, locals, and visitors alike. Constant gridlock, lengthy commutes, and lack of easily available parking make motorcycles a useful, economical way to conquer stop-and-go traffic and move about town. However, the small size of motorcycles that makes them so easy to maneuver also puts riders at risk when accidents occur due to poor visibility and relative lack of structural protection. Over 400 motorcyclists lost their lives in California during 2017, and California’s Office of Traffic Safety reported that during the same year 276 people were injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents involving motorcycles within San Diego’s city limits. These statistics drive home the sobering reality than San Diego motorcycle accidents are an unfortunate, and all too often avoidable, almost daily occurrence.

San Diego Motorcycle Accident Causes

Motorcyclists are at high risk of accidents in and around San Diego. Not only are city streets and freeways like the 5, 15, and 8 consistently congested and full of drivers engaging in bad behavior behind the wheel; motorcycles’ smaller sizes mean drivers are more likely not to see them. Common causes of accidents include:

• Distracted driving behavior such as texting while driving
• Poorly maintained roads
• Speeding
• Improper, unsafe, or illegal lane changes
• Driving while intoxicated
• Defective motorcycle construction or repair
• Failing to check mirrors
• Left hand turns in front of an oncoming motorcyclist
• Vehicles moving onto main roads without checking for approaching motorcycles

Any San Diego motorcyclist involved in an accident is at greater than average risk for severe injuries or even death. The relative lack of protection for riders – even when wearing all proper protective gear – and the size difference between motorcycles and regular motor vehicles make any accident cause for great concern. For riders fortunate enough to survive, it’s common to see whiplash, fracture, internal organ damage, severe skin damage such as road rash and degloving, and traumatic brain injuries. Not only can these wreak havoc on a victim’s body for a lifetime, they can ruin their financial future in seconds without proper compensation.

Winning a San Diego Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Case

After a San Diego motorcycle accident, you deserve compensation for your physical, mental, emotional, and financial injuries that resulted from another party’s bad behavior on the road. Injury victims usually begin pursuing compensation by filing a claim against the at-fault party’s automobile insurance company; a skilled San Diego personal injury attorney can handle communications and negotiations with insurers on your behalf to try and get the maximum possible offer for your injuries. However, in situations where a fair settlement can’t be reached or the party responsible is not a motorist – for example, a government responsible for road maintenance or a manufacturer of defective motorcycle parts – you may need to file a civil lawsuit in California court to pursue damages.

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Depending on your situation, you will file either a personal injury or a wrongful death lawsuit for damages. Though nothing will undo the trauma you’ve experienced or the loss you’ve suffered, you may be entitled to compensatory damages for personal injuries including:

• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Permanent disfigurement or disability
• Pain and suffering

If a San Diego motorcycle accident resulted in your loved one’s death, you may be compensated through a wrongful death suit for financial harms you’ve suffered as a result of the death and the value of lost companionship, love, and support in the household. You may also be entitled to damages for funeral expenses or burial costs.

Steps to Take if You’re Involved in a San Diego Motorcycle Accident

Any San Diego motorcycle accident can be incredibly traumatic; however, it’s important not to delay too long in taking a few steps. Though it may seem overwhelming, some simple actions can document your accident, help you care for your health, and strengthen any claim you make for compensation.

• Notify law enforcement – If you’re able, call 911 and law enforcement immediately. Give a detailed statement to the responding law enforcement officers to help them prepare their accident report and show you weren’t at fault. In some cases, you also have a legal requirement to notify law enforcement if someone is injured or has been killed in a crash.
• Gather relevant evidence and documents – If possible, get contact information from any eyewitnesses to the car accident. Their testimony may be helpful to establish fault later. Also, take pictures of the scene if possible. When the accident report is complete, get a copy from the responding police department or your insurer.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible – Even if you don’t believe you were hurt, seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, may not present symptoms for days but can be fatal if left untreated. Your health should be your top priority.
• Watch what you say – Your words can be used against you, so try to avoid admitting fault or apologizing. Don’t speculate about your injuries (or lack of injuries) and don’t say you’re “okay” or “fine.” Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers without first speaking to an attorney – insurers may twist your words later to deny your claim.
• Contact a San Diego Motorcycle Accident Attorney – Discussing your case with an experienced attorney can help you understand your options, protect your legal rights, and navigate the process of recovery. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can handle many tasks for you.

Contact a San Diego Motorcycle Attorney

If you have been injured in or lost a loved one due to a motorcycle accident in the San Diego area, you deserve compensation. You need to act quickly to preserve your rights and look after your health, but complex cases and the difficult of dealing with insurance companies can cause unneeded stress during your recovery. San Diego motorcycle attorney Alan Daneshrad has years of experience handling cases like your, representing victims like you, and has recovered millions in compensation for avoidable injuries. You deserve on your physical and emotional recovery and let us work hard to present the best possible case on your behalf and secure the maximum recovery possible for your injuries.

The Daneshrad Law team knows how to successfully litigate your San Diego motorcycle personal injury or wrongful death claim with skill, resources, and knowledge and obtain the maximum compensation for you while still communicating compassionately with you during your case. We offer a risk-free, no obligation initial case review at no charge. Schedule your free consultation today by calling (310) 858-3529 or (888) 881-3529 or completing our online contact page. Let us review the unique facts of your situation, answer your questions, and help you start getting your life back.