Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

From 2002 to 2006, California had one of the highest increases in motorcycle accident fatalities. In 2006 alone, more than 10,000 riders were injured in California motorcycle accidents, according to the California Highway Patrol. If you or a loved one were one of the many injured in a Sacramento motorcycle accident that was caused by a negligent or reckless driver, defective motorcycle or roadway hazard, the Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyers at Estey Bomberger may be able to obtain financial compensation for your serious injuries. Through arduous case workup by a skilled legal team, we have recovered millions of dollars for victims of northern California motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycle Accident Causes

The majority of motorcycle accidents involving a collision with a car or truck are caused by the driver of the larger vehicle, although there are exceptions. Single-vehicle motorcycle accidents are less common than multiple vehicle collisions, and are more often caused by driver inexperience or speeding. The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration has reported that inattentive or negligent drivers are responsible for more than two-thirds of motorcycle accidents involving a passenger vehicle. The most common reckless acts that a driver can exhibit are:

Unsafe left hand turn - a driver makes a left hand turn directly into the path of the biker.
Failing to yield at an intersection - a driver does not look, or speeds up, before they turn or proceed.
Driving under the influence - drivers that are found to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be criminally and civilly responsible.
Hit and run - a driver leaves the scene of an accident.
Opening car door - a driver, while exiting their car, swings the car door open unexpectedly.

Motorcycle riders may also be involved in a collision that was caused by a defective part. A motorcycle manufacturer is responsible for providing the rider with a reasonably safe vehicle. During an accident investigation, if a defective part was found to be the cause, the manufacturer may be held liable for damages, including the injured rider's medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to the motorcycle accident. A rider may also crash because of a damaged road or roadway hazard. Debris left by a roadway construction crew or road worker that would not be dangerous to a passenger car could be deadly for a motorcyclist. In cases of roadway hazards causing an accident, the agency responsible for maintaining the roadway may be responsible for the injuries to the rider, if certain conditions are met.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accidents cause serious injuries. In an accident where the biker collides with a passenger vehicle, the motorcyclist is 16 times more likely to die and 3 times more likely to be injured than the occupants of the vehicle, according to the NHTSA. A biker’s helmet and protective gear, although effective in reducing the likelihood of serious injury, may not enough protection against a 3,000 pound steel car or much larger tractor-trailer. Motorcyclists may be left with a serious injury such as:

Bone fractures
Road rash and burn injuries
Brain injury
Spinal cord injury
Coma
Concussion
Shock
Amputation/limb loss
Knee injury
Neck sprain
Paralysis/Quadriplegia
Scarring
Wrongful death.

Speak with a Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Before you speak to your insurance company, or anyone else regarding your motorcycle accident and injuries, we highly recommend that you speak with a Sacramento accident lawyer at Estey Bomberger. Insurance companies can misconstrue your statements and use that information against you, to give you less compensation then you are entitled to. Insurance companies, unfortunately, are more often looking out for their bottom line, and not the needs of their policyholders. Here at the Estey Bomberger law firm, we always have your best interests in mind and want you to receive nothing less than fair and full compensation for your personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Call our Sacramento motorcycle accident law firm today at (916) 903-5216. If you decide to have the Sacramento personal injury attorneys at Estey Bomberger represent you, we will handle all negotiations with your insurance company and the at-fault party or parties. All consultations are free and there is no obligation to discuss your case with one of our attorneys.