California has more registered motorcycles than any other state in the country. Motorcycles provide a great way for riders to enjoy the state’s beautiful climate and scenery while also allowing them to navigate through extremely congested areas of the state with relative ease. However, motorcycle riders have very little protection to keep them from suffering serious and/or fatal injuries.

As a result, if a motorcyclist is involved in a traffic accident they are at an increased risk of harm. Motorcycle riders who are injured in California traffic accidents may be entitled to recover compensation from the person (or people) responsible for the crash. The best way to learn about the benefits of filing a personal injury claim for damages after a motorcycle accident is to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in California

Motorcycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. However, some causes of motorcycle accidents occur more frequently than others. Commonly reported causes of motorcycle accidents in California include:

• Speeding
• Lane-splitting
• Riding/driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Tailgating
• Riding at night
• Failure to signal
• Distracted riding/driving

• Aggressive driving
• Dangerous road conditions
• Defective conditions, and
• Poor weather conditions.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists who are involved in a California traffic accident are at a much greater risk of suffering a catastrophic injury and/or dying than passengers of other vehicles. These injuries can require extensive medical treatment and often have a long road to recovery. Motorcycle accident victims may be able to recover damages to compensate for injuries including:

• Spinal cord injury
• Brain injury
• Burn injury
• Amputation
• Internal organ damage
• Compound fractures
• Loss of vision and/or hearing
• Concussion
• Paralysis, and
• Wrongful death.

Damages for Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Filing a personal injury lawsuit can allow a victim to recover damages – or monetary compensation – for the harms they suffer because of an accident. The type of damages that can be awarded will depend on the specific harms that a victim suffers. Financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses can be compensated by awarding economic damages.

Commonly awarded economic damages include those for verifiable medical expenses, lost wages, and a reduced earning capacity. Subjective and hard-to-value losses can be compensated by awarding non-economic damages. Commonly awarded non-economic damages include those for emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and disfigurement.

Determining Liability for a Motorcycle Accident

As a victim, you may be entitled to monetary damages. Who will be responsible for paying you this money? In California, any person whose negligence and/or wrongful conduct contributes to an injury-causing accident can be held financially responsible. If it is determined that more than one person caused an accident, each of those people will be held liable to the degree they contributed to the crash. If you are injured in a crash, but also contributed to the cause, there will be a limit to how much money you can recover. Your damages will be reduced by your own degree of fault.

Here’s an example. A, B, and C are in a motorcycle accident. A is injured and suffers $100,000 in damages. A is 20 percent at fault, B is 30 percent at fault, and C is 50 percent at fault. A would be limited to recovering $80,000 in damages (total damages – degree of fault) and would also be 20 percent responsible for harms suffered by B and C. B would be responsible for 30 percent of the damages suffered by other victims. C would be responsible for 50 percent of the damages suffered by other victims.

Call an Experienced California Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a California motorcycle accident you may be entitled to recover damages from the person (or people) responsible for your crash. Personal injury claims can be complex and are best handled by an experienced personal injury lawyer. Hiring an attorney will help to make sure that your claim is filed before the statute of limitations expires and that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.