Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

COMMON CAUSES OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

Motorcycle accidents are frequently caused by the negligence of others on the road – often the drivers of trucks or passenger cars.

We represent motorcyclists involved in accidents caused by other drivers who:

• Were tailgating
• Ran a red light or stop sign
• Were speeding
• Failed to check their blind spots
• Hastily changed lanes without checking for motorcyclists
• Were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

What makes all these things legally actionable negligence—as opposed to simply things that responsible drivers should never do—is the fact that they violate the “duty of care” all drivers owe to other people on public roads with them. This duty requires drivers to always follow traffic laws, keep their focus entirely on driving, and be considerate behind the wheel. Anyone who breaches it in a way that directly leads to an otherwise preventable injury can be held civilly liable for the consequences of their actions.

By the same token, you have a duty of care as a motorcyclist to act lawfully and responsibly while riding—one of the most common tactics that people at fault for motorcycle crashes try to use while fighting litigation is accusing motorcyclists of causing their own accident through their own irresponsible behavior. Support from our seasoned Los Angeles motorcycle crash attorneys will be key to making sure allegations along these lines do not unduly keep you from getting the restitution you deserve.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Regardless of what type of vehicle they are operating, everyone involved in any kind of traffic accident is required by law to stop as close to the scene of the incident as is safely possible, then exchange contact and insurance information with other involved parties before leaving the scene. Of course, exceptions can be made for people who need to immediately leave the scene of a crash to receive emergency medical attention. 

If you are able to do so safely, your first move after a motorcycle crash should always be to comply with these requirements. Generally speaking, you should wait at the scene for the police to arrive if you do not need emergency medical treatment after this kind of accident. That will give you an opportunity to give them a statement about what happened, which will be included in their court-admissible accident report.

It can be helpful to do a little bit of basic evidence-gathering before leaving the scene of a motorcycle accident. Taking photos of the crash scene and damage sustained by vehicles involved, getting contact information from eyewitnesses, and making note of nearby surveillance/dashboard cameras and their owners can provide crucial information for your legal representative to build the strongest possible civil claim.