While motor vehicle driver error plays a significant role in most accidents between cars/trucks and motorcycles, it is not the only cause of a motorcycle collision.
Some of the main reasons why motorcycle accidents happen include:
Negligent driving maneuvers – When a motor vehicle operator gets behind the wheel of a car or truck, they owe other drivers a duty of reasonable care. Specifically, they must follow all road rules and operate their vehicles prudently and carefully under the circumstances. A car or truck operator engages in negligent driving when they carelessly violate road rules.
The purpose of California road rules is to keep drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians safe. When a motor vehicle operator violates one of these rules, the chances of a serious crash increase exponentially. Some of the most common types of negligence that can lead to serious motorcycle crashes include failing to yield the right-of-way at a traffic intersection, speeding, tailgating, carelessly weaving in and out of traffic, and similar violations.
Intoxicated driving – Another unfortunate cause of motorcycle crashes in Redding is drunk driving. Drugged driving – or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating drug – can also lead to one of these crashes. Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or greater is per se intoxication under California law. If they sustain a drunk driving conviction, they can be subject to criminal penalties, including fines and jail time in some circumstances.
In addition, if they cause a car crash that leads to one or more injuries, they can incur civil liability. This means that their insurance company will have to step in and provide the necessary coverage. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lose control of their vehicles. Because of blurred vision, they may not stop in time to avoid crashing with a motorcycle. In short, drinking and driving never go together and can be a recipe for disaster—especially when a motorcycle is in the vicinity.
Poor road maintenance – Construction companies, cities, municipalities, and others responsible for road maintenance have to act reasonably under the circumstances. When there are large potholes in the road or grooved pavement, such as at a construction site, a motorcycle rider can easily fall to the ground—especially if they are operating their vehicle at a high rate of speed. If poor road maintenance causes or contributes to a motorcycle accident, the responsible party can be subject to civil liability for the accident victim’s injuries.
Distracted driving – Distracted driving is a type of motor vehicle negligence. A person drives in a distracted manner when they fail to pay attention to the road, such as when they turn their head. Other distractions in the vehicle can include GPS devices, cell phones, other electronic devices, loud music, and even passengers in the vehicle. When a driver has their head turned for even a second or two, they might not see a motorcycle that is relatively low to the ground, thereby striking the motorcycle.
Defective motorcycle parts – Just as other motor vehicle operators owe a duty of care to operate their vehicles safely, motorcycle part manufacturers must perform the necessary tests and checks before making their products available for purchase. If a motorcycle part or component—such as a steering mechanism or braking system—is defective, it can lead to a serious accident while out on the roadway.
For example, the braking system might give out while the motorcyclist is on the road, causing them to crash with another vehicle or a stationary object near the road. In either case, the cyclist can suffer very serious injuries from the crash. If that happens, the cyclist can bring a product liability claim against the appropriate party.
If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash that likely resulted from negligence, you have legal options available to you. The skilled team of Redding motorcycle accident attorneys at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel can explore your legal options and help you decide on the best plan to pursue monetary damages in your case.
Motorcycle Accident Claims
When it comes to motorcycle accident claims and lawsuits, strict time limits apply. In California, a motorcycle accident victim only has two years from the date of their accident to take legal action. If the injured cyclist does not file their claim or lawsuit in two years, they cannot pursue monetary compensation and damages for their injuries at a later date.
Therefore, the sooner you get a lawyer involved in your claim, the better. The skilled legal team at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel can immediately begin investigating your motorcycle accident and bring your claim or lawsuit promptly—and well before the statute of limitations expires.
Once we file your claim with the at-fault person’s insurance company, and assuming it accepts fault for the accident, we can begin negotiating on your behalf. Settlement negotiations with insurance companies can sometimes take significant time, as the insurance company will do everything possible to limit the payout in your case. They do this to keep as much of their money in-house as possible.
However, our aggressive legal team will zealously advocate for your interests and bring out the strengths in your motorcycle accident case. If, after several rounds of negotiations, the insurance company has not offered fair compensation, we can file a lawsuit against the at-fault person and litigate your case in court.
Even after filing a lawsuit, we can still resolve your claim through settlement. However, it might later become necessary to take your case to a jury trial or an alternative dispute resolution proceeding, such as binding arbitration or mediation. When you allow the skilled legal team at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel to handle your case, you can rest assured that we will fully explore all of your settlement and litigation options and help you decide on the best option for your case.
Talk to a Redding Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today About Your Legal Matter
The skilled team of attorneys at Reiner, Slaughter & Frankel is ready to help you pursue the compensation that you deserve for all of your accident-related injuries. For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable Redding motorcycle accident attorney, please call us today at (530) 241-0290 or contact us online for more information.
Redding
2851 Park Marina Dr #200
Redding, CA 96001
Phone: (530) 241-0290