Oakland Motorcycle Accidents Attorneys

The freedom of the open road that a motorcycle enjoys also leaves a biker lacking protection and vulnerable to serious motorcycle accidents that could result in catastrophic injury or even death. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) most recent data shows that the many contributing factors that cause motorcycle accidents are driver inattention, inexperience, speeding, obscured visibility, defective parts, hazardous road conditions and failing to account for weather conditions. The Oakland motorcycle accident attorneys at Estey Bomberger have represented motorcycle accident victims throughout Oakland and California in claims involving the following types of bikes:

Sport
Cruiser
Touring
Standard
Street
Dual-sport
Off-road
Scooters and mopeds.

Causes of Oakland Motorcycle Accidents

The most predominant cause of motorcycle accidents is human error; in 50 percent of multiple vehicle crashes, the driver of the passenger car is at fault. The most predominant driver error is failing to detect the motorcycle in dense traffic, while making lane changes or left turns. Drivers often state that they did not see the motorcyclist before colliding with them. Accidents are also occurring because of motorists violating the biker’s right of way, specifically, turning into the oncoming lane of the motorcyclist. Additionally, drivers not paying attention to the road, a bike’s defective parts, or hazardous road and weather conditions are all to blame for numerous motorcycle accidents.

Catastrophic Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Only one out of every five riders is able to walk away from a motorcycle accident with only minor scrapes and bruises. The majority of riders suffer tragic, catastrophic injuries that cause severe bodily harm, permanent disability, or death. Catastrophic motorcycle accident injuries include:

Brain injury
Spinal cord injury
Coma
Concussion
Road rash
Lacerations
Amputation/limb loss
Paralysis
Fractures / broken bones
Disfigurement
Burn injuries
Death.

California’s Helmet Law

In 2008, 59% percent of bikers that were killed were not wearing helmets, according to the NHTSA. To protect riders, California law requires a motorcycle driver and passenger to wear a safety helmet at all times when riding a motorcycle (California Vehicle Code Section 27803. The California Highway Patrol issued a statement in 2004 stating that not wearing a helmet is an "immediate safety hazard." And, although California’s helmet law does not actually state wearing a helmet is an "immediate safety hazard", the courts honor the wishes of the CHP, meaning, if caught not wearing a helmet, motorcycle riders may face a fine of up to $250.00 and one year probation.

How Much is Your Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

Every motorcycle accident and injury has unique circumstances and factors, making injury claims difficult to legally navigate. If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you have the right to be fairly compensated for your injuries, if caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another. Before you accept any insurance company settlement offer, talk to a personal injury lawyer about the merits of your case and get an honest opinion of how much your case may be worth. You may be entitled to far more compensation than the insurance company initially offers you.

Maximum Compensation for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Let an Oakland injury lawyer at Estey Bomberger help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve and are entitled to. Our Oakland motorcycle accident lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients’ health care expenses, lost wages, future lost earnings, pain and suffering and any other expenses related to the accident (see our case results). We do not charge any fee to speak with a motorcycle accident injury lawyer and if we represent you, you owe us nothing unless and until we recover money for your claim. Our knowledgeable, award-winning Oakland personal injury lawyers can be reached, 24 hours a day, at (916) 903-5216.