The city of Irvine is an exciting place for its more than 273,000 residents. Its proximity to the coast, mild climate, and safety records make it a fantastic home. Unfortunately, in as busy a place as Irvine, there are bound to be some complications. Each year, many are wrongly injured in motorcycle accidents that can cause devastating injuries and property damages.
If you or someone you love has been injured through no fault of your own in a motorcycle accident, you’re likely entitled to compensation for your injuries. The Irvine personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw are here to help. We’ve been handling motorcycle accident cases since 2002, bringing the same level of excellence and high-quality legal counsel to each client.
Are you ready to pursue restitution? Call OnderLaw today. We’ll schedule a free, confidential consultation and connect you with one of our attorneys to determine the best next steps for you as you build your motorcycle accident case.
Motorcycle accidents can be difficult to handle on your own. Because they are lighter vehicles that are not afforded the same safety measures (seatbelts, airbags, etc.) as passenger vehicles, motorcyclists often sustain devastating injuries when they are involved in accidents. Attempting to pursue compensation while recuperating from such injuries is no easy task. At OnderLaw , we’re dedicated to putting your needs at the heart of your case.
In the same way, motorcyclists are often unfairly assigned the stigma of being more reckless or engaging in more dangerous behavior because of their choice of transportation. The attorneys at OnderLaw are well-acquainted with such unfortunate biases and are prepared to fight for your rights with integrity and excellence.
When you say yes to OnderLaw , you’re saying yes to over nineteen years of award-winning experience and over $3 billion in settlements and awards. OnderLaw has been recognized by such organizations as the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, The American Society of Legal Advocates, The American Trial Lawyers Association, and the Litigator Awards™ for our hard work and commitment to each case we take on.
James G. Onder, our founding attorney, has been protecting clients’ rights since graduating from the St. Louis University School of Law in 1988. Onder has served as co-liaison, co-chair, and co-counsel for several impressive cases and has worked to challenge corporations throughout his career. Onder is a member of the Million and Multi-million Dollar Advocates Forums and works to face each case with the excellence and attention-to-detail that have defined his legacy at OnderLaw .
Here are several important laws to know in Irvine and all of California regarding motorcycles.
According to the California Vehicle Code, all motorcyclists are required to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. Motorcycles are required to be at a height that allows the motorcyclist’s feet to reach the ground when the vehicle is not in motion. All motorcycles are required to be equipped with mirrors on both sides of the vehicle. Similarly, the handlebars must not be positioned at a height that is greater than six inches above the motorcyclist’s shoulders when they are seated.
The California Vehicle Code also states that lane splitting (that is, driving a motorcycle with two wheels on the ground between lanes of cars that are stopped or moving in the same direction) is permitted, though the cyclist should be educated in regard to safe lane splitting behavior.
Because motorcycles are so much smaller than traditional passenger vehicles, they are vulnerable to a higher degree of destruction when they’re involved in accidents. Motorcycles can be hard for other vehicles to see on the road, causing several types of accidents. You may have been injured in any one of the following kinds of motorcycle accidents:
There are several factors that may cause or contribute to a motorcycle accident. The cause of your motorcycle accident can have a significant impact on who is considered liable and the type of compensation you might expect. A motorcycle accident may have been caused by one or more of the following factors:
Municipal negligence: this covers any bump, crack, or rift in the road that may cause a motorcycle to be thrown off course or involved in an accident.
External conditions: motorcycles are more vulnerable to external conditions, as the vehicles are not afforded the same walls and windows as a passenger vehicle. External conditions include weather, roadside construction, or nearby accidents, all of which may be hazardous to those riding motorcycles.
Mechanical malfunction: this is any defective part or malfunctioning equipment on a motorcycle that may prevent the vehicle from operating normally. Such malfunctions may include faulty brakes, loss of power of steering, or engine malfunction, and can be dangerous.
Distracted drivers: nearby drivers who are not appropriately focused can be a potential threat to nearby motorcyclists. Drivers may be sleepy, “zoned out,” using their cell phones, or distracted by other passengers.
Drunk/drugged drivers: those who operate motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol pose a serious threat to all nearby motorcyclists. These drivers may experience loss of judgment, blurred vision, and impaired depth perception, making them a hazard to all nearby drivers and cyclists.
Reckless drivers: these are any drivers whose dangerous or negligent behavior causes them to be involved in collisions with nearby vehicles. Examples of such dangerous habits include failing to check blind spots, speeding, weaving, failing to yield, or failing to observe traffic signs in general.
Because of the wide range of types of motorcycle accidents, there is an equally wide range of injuries that you may sustain in a motorcycle accident. As previously stated, those operating motorcycles are vulnerable to serious injury, particularly if they neglect to wear a helmet. You may sustain one or more of the following types of injuries in a motorcycle accident:
When it comes to determining liability, there are several parties that may be considered responsible for a motorcycle accident. These parties may include:
Compensation after a motorcycle accident claim is often called “damages.” There are several types of damages for which you may seek reimbursement. Damages come in two main forms, one or both of which you may be entitled to.
Economic damages are the specific financial costs associated with a motorcycle accident. These may include:
The best way to document economic damages is to keep track of all repairs receipts, medical records, pay stubs, and timecards.
Noneconomic damages are the intangible costs associated with any pain and suffering you experience as a result of a motorcycle accident. These costs might include:
The best way to document noneconomic damages is to document the dates of any therapy or counseling you receive as a result of a motorcycle accident. You’ll also want to keep a journal in which you record how the accident and your injuries have affected your daily life.
A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims that nationwide, “in 2019 there were 5,014 motorcyclists killed, which accounted for 14 percent of traffic fatalities.”
Data from the Insurance Information Institute claims that in 2019, there was a 58.33 percent fatality rate per 100,000 registered motorcycles across the country.
A report from the UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center claims that in 2015, there were 2,317 severe and 491 fatal motorcycle accidents across the state of California.
Data from the California Office of Traffic Safety reflects that in 2019, there were 474 motorcycle fatalities across the state.
It’s no surprise that dealing with the devastating effects of a motorcycle accident can be a long and arduous process when you’re on your own. That’s why at OnderLaw , we’re dedicated to handling your case with only the highest degree of excellence. If you or someone you love has been wrongly injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Call OnderLaw today to begin your journey towards compensation. We’ll connect you with one of our top-rated personal injury attorneys and schedule a free, confidential case evaluation for you. Don’t allow a lack of legal knowledge or financial means to keep you down any longer. Let today be the day you begin seeking justice.
