Auto accidents of all kinds are jarring, and, often, devastating. This is particularly true when it comes to motorcycle crashes, as bikers seldom have anything to protect them other than the helmets on their heads. If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle crash caused by the negligence of another driver, you can turn to a competent San Mateo County motorcycle accident lawyer from the Law Office of Allister R. Liao, P.C.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer | Based in San Mateo County, California
Motorcyclists face a far higher fatality rate per mile traveled than occupants of other vehicles. In 2023, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed, and an estimated 82,564 were injured in traffic crashes nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Whether your loved one lost their life in a motorcycle accident or you were severely injured due to the negligence of another, our San Mateo County, California motor vehicle accident lawyer is here to help you get the compensation to which you are entitled.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists can sustain very serious injuries when they or others ignore the rules and regulations of the road. Just some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents that we see here in the state of California are as follows:
- Tailing bikers too closely
- Trying to pass bikers
- Lane splitting
- Dangerous lane changing/merging
- Speeding
- Left-turn crashes
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Sudden stops
- Opening car doors into passing bikers
Is Lane Splitting Legal in California?
Lane splitting appears on the list above because it can contribute to a crash, but in California the practice itself is legal. Effective January 1, 2017, Assembly Bill 51 added Section 21658.1 to the California Vehicle Code, which defines lane splitting as riding a motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, on both divided and undivided roads. California remains the only state to expressly permit it. The statute also directs the California Highway Patrol to publish safety guidelines for the practice. Because a rider was lane splitting does not automatically make that rider at fault; California follows comparative negligence, so responsibility depends on how each party was driving at the time of the crash.
Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents produce a wide range of critical injuries. Some injuries most commonly associated with motorcycle accidents are as follows:
- Road rash
- Scarring/disfigurement
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries/paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones/sprains
- Lacerations
Getting You Compensated
To receive compensation for an injury sustained in a motorcycle accident, we’ll have to prove that you were hurt as a direct result of another party’s negligence. As long as we can do so, via surveillance/GoPro footage, pictures of damage caused by the accident, witness testimony, and medical documentation (among other types of evidence) you should receive compensation to help you deal with the economic & non-economic damages caused by your accident. This can include:
- Pain and suffering
- The cost of medical care/rehabilitation
- The loss of enjoyment of life
- The cost of lost past & future wages
- Emotional anguish
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
The Law Office of Allister R. Liao, P.C. is a dedicated legal representative of the wrongfully injured here in California, and has been for years. If you need a personal injury law firm you can depend on to fight for the compensation you deserve and need to get your life back after an accident, you’ve come to the right place. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm so we can get started working on your case.