Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

If You or a Loved One Suffered a Life-Changing Injury, We Want to Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve

As ridiculous as it may seem, a large segment of American society still holds a negative view of motorcycle riding. They may equate motorcyclists with a gang subculture involving drugs and crime, or assume all bikers are irresponsible drivers who are to blame for any accident they experience. Because of this negative stereotype, among other misconceptions, motorcyclists are routinely unfairly assigned liability and inadequately compensated for their injuries and damage to their motorcycles.

For nearly three decades, the attorneys at Robins Cloud LLP have been obtaining successful and significant results for clients who have been the victims of serious motorcycle accidents. If you own a motorcycle or ride one regularly, it’s important to be informed of your rights and responsibilities as a rider, and to be aware of the risks. If you’ve been involved in a serious motorcycle crash, know that you are not alone. Our team is ready to help you file a claim.

We fight to protect motorcycle accident victims’ right to receive compensation for their injuries. Our Los Angeles-based team can help with complex and serious injuries other firms can’t. Call us at (800) 691-2363 to schedule a free consultation.

Motorcycle Accidents: Causes and Risks

If you’ve ever been on a motorcycle, then you know the sense of freedom you feel when the wind hits your face, and there’s nothing in between you and the road. While riding a motorcycle is exhilarating, it is also very dangerous as the chances are great that you may be involved in a serious accident.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) report from 2017 noted that motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those traveling in passenger vehicles. Further, the outlook is not good for those who are affected. Eight of every ten motorcyclists involved in accidents will experience at least some injury. In 2018, though motorcycle crashes were down overall, nearly 5,000 riders suffered fatal injury.

A motorcycle accident can occur anytime and any place, but some common factors that cause and contribute to these accidents include:

• Left Turn Collisions: This occurs when a car turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Often, the driver doesn't see the motorcycle or misjudges its speed, leading to a collision.
• Lane Changes and Merging: Cars changing lanes without properly checking blind spots may collide with motorcycles. Sometimes, drivers fail to notice motorcycles when merging onto highways.
• Rear-End Collisions: Motorcycles are more vulnerable to being rear-ended by larger vehicles due to their smaller size. A driver might not see the motorcycle in front and could collide with it.
• Dooring Accidents: When a parked car occupant opens their door without checking for approaching motorcycles, it can cause a collision.
• Unsafe Passing or Overtaking: Some accidents occur when a car attempts to pass a motorcycle unsafely or tries to share a lane with a motorcycle, leading to a collision.
• Distracted Driving: Drivers distracted by their phones, navigation systems, or other activities may fail to notice motorcycles on the road.
• Speeding and Reckless Driving: Excessive speed, aggressive driving, or disregarding traffic laws can lead to accidents involving motorcycles.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Alcohol or drug impairment significantly impairs a driver's ability to react and judge distances properly, increasing the likelihood of accidents involving motorcycles.
• Poor Road Conditions: Uneven roads, potholes, debris, or lack of proper signage can contribute to motorcycle accidents.
• Failure to Yield Right of Way: In many instances, accidents occur because a driver fails to yield the right of way to a motorcycle at intersections or while making turns.

While many people believe motorcyclists are reckless drivers, this is not true: Anyone on a bike is aware of their increased vulnerability to injury. When a motorcyclist is involved in a collision with another vehicle, the other driver is more often to blame.

Data on Los Angeles Motorcycle Accidents

The University of Southern California conducted a study in 2006 that analyzed factors that can cause or contribute to a motorcycle accident. The study examined approximately nine hundred accidents involving motorcycles that occurred in and around the Los Angeles area and observed about 3,600 motorcycle traffic accident reports. The results of the study showed:

• About three-quarters of accidents involving motorcycles also included another motor vehicle, and of these accidents, most of them happened because the driver of the other vehicle never saw the motorcycle, or by the time they did see the motorcycle, it was too late.
• The motorcycle alone was involved in approximately one-quarter of the crashes, and in these accidents, the motorcycle usually collided with an object or the road.
• Part malfunctions like flat tires cause only a small percentage of the motorcycle accidents.
• Driver error caused accidents between a motorcycle and another vehicle in sixty-six percent of the incidents. Many of these errors included driving too fast or too wide on a curve, under-cornering, or over-braking that caused a slide-out and fall.
• Motorcycle accidents tended to occur at intersections and usually when the motorcyclist was only out for a short trip.
• Young motorcyclists between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four had a greater risk of being involved in a motorcycle accident, and women of all ages were at greater risk of being in an accident.
• Motorcyclists and their passengers were usually injured in the accident regardless of whether the accident involved just them or multiple vehicles. Most of the injuries motorcyclists and their passengers sustained were serious.
• Most motorcyclists and their riders who were fatally injured in an accident died because their heads or chests were injured in the crash. It’s important to note that by choosing to wear a helmet, you can really reduce your chance of a severe head injury.

While the 2006 study covers many factors that may lead to a motorcycle accident, it is not representative of every single factor that can cause or contribute to an accident. Many collisions have multiple causes, which can make liability different to pinpoint. While you can take certain steps to keep yourself safe, like driving defensively and always wearing a helmet and other protective gear, other road users must get used to looking for smaller vehicles.

Motorcycle Safety and Injury Claims

Unfortunately, even the most careful riders may be involved in an accident. Being the victim of a motorcycle accident is more likely to cause severe injury than any other type of collision between 2 motor vehicles. Being hit by a car or truck can result in the types of injuries that need extensive care and/or even require lifelong treatment.

Motorcycle accidents can result in injuries like:

• Facial injury
• Loss of limbs
• Multiple fracture
• Spinal cord damage
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Not only are these injuries extremely painful for the victim; they can also affect that person’s life and even the lives of their loved ones for years to come. If you’ve been injured in this way, it’s extremely important to have a proven attorney on your side. Catastrophic injuries can be financially draining, and insurers often try to underpay you, hoping you won’t realize just how far the expenses related to such wounds can range. Our team can analyze your injuries and needs to make sure you know what a fair settlement offer would look like.

Legal Challenges of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents present unique legal challenges due to the nature of these incidents, often resulting in severe injuries and complex liability issues.

Some of the legal challenges associated with motorcycle accidents include:

• Determining Liability: Establishing fault can be complex. Bias against motorcyclists exists, and determining liability might involve investigations, witness testimonies, accident reconstruction, and analyzing traffic laws to ascertain fault accurately.
• Serious Injuries and Damages: Motorcyclists are more susceptible to severe injuries due to the lack of protective barriers. This can lead to extensive medical expenses, long-term rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering, making it crucial to accurately assess damages in a claim.
• Insurance Coverage Issues: Motorcycle insurance policies might differ from standard auto insurance. Understanding coverage, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and negotiating with insurance companies can be challenging.
• Prejudice and Bias: There's a tendency for biases against motorcyclists, which can influence jury perceptions in a legal case. Overcoming these biases and presenting a fair case can be a challenge.
• Complex Legal Procedures: Legal processes following a motorcycle accident can be intricate. Filing claims, adhering to statutes of limitations, gathering evidence, and navigating court proceedings require legal expertise and understanding.
• Multiple Parties and Contributory Negligence: Accidents involving motorcycles often have multiple liable parties, including drivers, vehicle manufacturers, road maintenance entities, and others. Determining each party's level of fault can be complex. Additionally, contributory negligence—where both the motorcyclist and another party share fault—can affect compensation.
• Disputes over Injuries and Damages: Insurance companies might dispute the extent of injuries and damages, attempting to minimize payouts. Proving the severity of injuries and their impact on the victim's life becomes crucial.
• Long-Term Impact: Some motorcycle accident injuries lead to lifelong disabilities or chronic conditions. Estimating future medical expenses and loss of earning capacity requires specialized expertise.

Navigating these legal challenges often requires the assistance of experienced legal professionals who specialize in motorcycle accident cases. Attorneys knowledgeable in personal injury law and specifically experienced with motorcycle accidents can help victims understand their rights, negotiate with insurance companies, gather evidence, and navigate the legal process to seek fair compensation for their losses.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

A lawsuit is more likely to result when a person is involved in an accident on a motorcycle than when two autos collide. Given the significant injuries and damages suffered by the motorcyclist, there is a bigger incentive for the insurance companies to litigate: When the damages are higher, it makes the cost of a lawsuit more justifiable and the returns potentially greater.

There are issues unique to motorcycle accidents that insurance companies may exploit to try to reduce their liability, including questions surrounding motorcycle equipment, helmets, toxicology, and personal bias. This can be a huge obstacle to obtaining the necessary compensation. Due to personal preconceptions or misunderstanding of the law, a police report may claim the motorcyclist was at fault when they held little or no liability. Or, if the motorcyclist is seriously injured and transported to the hospital before a police officer can speak to them, that officer may form a one-sided opinion.

Other factors that insurance companies may consider when trying to deny a claim include a motorcyclist’s experience and skill. Often, these are not at all relevant to your claim, but trying to defend yourself against vague charges like these without a lawyer can play into an insurance adjuster’s hands. It’s important to have someone on your side who fully understands the law and the difficulties motorcyclists may face while trying to recover compensation.

Damages You Can Request in a Motorcycle Accident Claim

The award-winning attorneys at Robins Cloud LLP have the experience and skill to obtain the best possible result for you. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury caused by the wrongful conduct of others, you need a motorcycle accident lawyers that have a proven track record of winning even the most difficult of lawsuits against the toughest defendants.

Motorcycle accidents are particularly tragic as motorcycles provide little protection to their riders, who are usually ejected in accidents. This type of crash can put your health and ability to work in jeopardy and your vehicle may be seriously damaged or completely destroyed.

At a time when your attention should be solely focused on recovering from your injuries, there are often many things that need to be done to secure your legal rights. You may have questions about what to do.

• Who will pay for the damage to the motorcycle?
• Who will pay for lost wages?
• Which documents, if any, should I sign?
• Is there an obligation to let the at-fault party's insurance company record a statement?
• What happens if the other party does not have insurance?
• Who is responsible for paying my medical bills?

Our team at Robins Cloud LLP can answer all your questions and work diligently to ensure your legal rights are fully protected so you can focus upon getting better. We do everything we can to help clients receive full compensation for their damages, which may include:

• Any medical expenses, whether they are past, present, or future;
• The pain and suffering you’ve had to endure;
• Any wages you’ve lost due to your injury or illness and any lost future earning potential;
• Expenses required to repair your vehicle and the loss of its use during the repair; and
• Lost quality of life.

Call Us Today for Help After a Serious Motorcycle Accident

The attorneys at Robins Cloud LLP have been helping motorcycle accident victims around the country for more than 30 years. Our philosophy is simple: We strive to do what is right for our clients. We work hard to provide the justice they deserve. We have no agenda of our own, no interest in forcing anyone to accept unfair settlements to get their case resolved hastily, and no interest in going to trial to serve our egos. We will always conduct ourselves upon the idea that the client comes first

What does that look like? We take the time to listen to you and learn about your case and then provide honest and complete advice regarding the options you may have. We’ll never force you to do anything you don’t feel comfortable with. Our job is to provide you with guidance so that can make the most informed decision possible when it comes to your case and provide the legal support you require. If you want a strong, reliable legal team on your side after a serious and complex motorcycle accident, reach out to our team. We are ready to learn how we can help you.

Contact Robins Cloud LLP at (800) 691-2363 for a free consultation with our Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorneys. We are proud to take on the serious cases other firms won’t.