AutoAccidents Archives

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident in California?entry-title

Important Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in California On The City Street

Being a personal injury attorney who rides, and seeing the life-changing injuries my clients have sustained, handling our clients’ motorcycle accidents are very personal for me. Even low-speed motorcycle accidents can cause serious and catastrophic injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 28x more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident than the occupants of other types of vehicles.

Unlike drivers, motorcyclists are not protected by airbags, seatbelts, or reinforced steel cages. We remain exposed to the elements and all the forces of a crash. Yet, it is that very exposure that brings us joy when we ride. The wind on our chest, the sun on our back, and the feel of the road transforms transportation into recreation.

After a motorcycle accident in California, injured bikers often face an uphill battle collecting the money they need. That’s because the insurance company’s main goal is to pay out as little money as possible. They can also have strong biases against motorcyclists that are often grounded in fiction.

To combat these biases, injured bikers need a law firm on their side from the start. A Murrieta motorcycle accident attorney can fight for your right to full compensation. Yet, there are steps a motorcyclist can take to help their attorney and improve the outcome of their case.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Call 911

After an accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Even if you believe you have no injuries, you should still get evaluated by a trained medical professional. Calling 911 is the best way to obtain medical treatment quickly. It also alerts emergency responders and police officers to the crash site. If you are unable to call due to injury, direct someone at the scene of the motorcycle accident to call for you.

Assist With the Police Report

The police report is a valuable piece of evidence used to establish liability after a crash. If you are able, it is important to cooperate with the police at the scene of the crash. Remain calm and answer any questions they may have, but avoid speculating about the crash. Also, never apologize or admit fault in these situations. Only a detailed investigation can uncover who was truly at fault for a crash. An admission of fault, even one that is disproven later, can cost you dearly.

Take Pictures & Gather Evidence

If you are not too injured, take pictures of the accident scene and any damage to your motorcycle. Include photos of the traffic lights, stop signs, skid marks, debris, and any other evidence you think could help your case.

Gather eyewitness contact information as well as the other driver’s contact information. Write down the make, model, and year of the other vehicles involved. Lastly, collect the other driver’s insurance card data and driver’s license number.

Call a Murrieta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

As soon as you are able, it is important to contact an experienced Murrieta motorcycle accident lawyer. Your lawyer can establish liability and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Without a lawyer on your side, you may not receive the money you need to recover.

Contact our Murrieta Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

After a motorcycle accident, your life may never be the same. Motorcycle accident victims often need months and even years of therapies and care after a crash. At SD Injury Attorneys, our goal is to provide you with exceptional legal counsel and care after a motorcycle crash. Call us at 951-370-1111 to schedule a free case evaluation or fill out our confidential contact form.

Ten Defensive Driving Tips You Should Always Practiceentry-title

Did you know that traumatic injury is the number one cause of death in people under the age of 45? A report from CNN revealed not only that unintentional injury was the top cause of death for younger people, but that cars were responsible for most of those injuries. That means getting into the car and driving to the grocery store may be the most dangerous thing you do all day. So, how do we protect ourselves when driving our cars? Our Murrieta auto accident attorneys know some defensive driving techniques that could help.

1. Focus on Driving

The first step in learning how to become a defensive driver is learning to stay focused when you are driving. Many people don’t realize that driving is a very thought-intensive activity. You have to think about road conditions, traffic signals, traffic laws, checking mirrors and many other tasks. Talking on the phone, sending a text, eating or paying too much attention to a passenger can result in a crash.

2. Watch Out for Other Drivers

We all make mistakes, and this applies on the road as well. Don’t assume that another driver saw you signal and will let you merge into a lane. Don’t assume that another driver saw the light turn red and will stop. Be cautious, and don’t take another driver’s actions for granted.

3. Maintain a Buffer

Rear-end collisions are a common type of car accident. To help prevent this type of crash, always travel with a buffer of three seconds between you and the car ahead of you. This will allow you to react fast enough to stop your car if someone suddenly slams on their brakes.

4. Be Predictable

When you are driving, you want other drivers to be able to tell what you are going to do. That means moving at a steady pace, avoiding sudden increases and decreases in speed, no unexpected lane changes and using your turn signals.

5. Practice Situational Awareness

Are you using your mirrors and checking your blind spots? How far are you looking ahead of where you are driving? Using your mirrors and looking ahead will help you recognize potential dangers before they get to you.

6. Plan an Escape Route

Always plan two paths to get out of harm’s way while you are driving. If you need to pass a commercial truck, do you have enough room to get out of the way if the truck comes into your lane? If a car suddenly stops in front of you, could you steer into the courtesy lane instead of stopping? Have a backup route planned in your head in case traffic conditions become dangerous.

7. Be Willing to Yield

One of the best ways to ensure your driving safety is to be willing to give up your right of way. If you have the right of way through an intersection, but the cross traffic is not yielding, don’t keep going. It may slow you down a bit, but it will help you avoid crashing. Also, if you are confused about who has the right of way, err on the side of caution and let the other vehicle go.

8. Mind the Speed Limit

A good defensive driver should always pay attention to the speed limit and avoid exceeding it. The faster you drive, the harder it is to maintain full control of your vehicle. Your car will also sustain more damage the faster it is going when a collision occurs. So, slow down and get home safely.

9. Do Not Drive Under the Influence

Law enforcement strives to remind drivers to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, did you realize that even over-the-counter or prescription drugs can affect your driving? Before you get behind the wheel, honestly assess your ability to drive. If you have any doubts, do not drive.

10. Use Your Seatbelt

Utilizing the safety features of your car is a great way to drive defensively. Automatic braking and collision detectors are awesome devices to help you avoid collisions, and they come on many modern vehicles. However, there is one simple, effective device that comes equipped in every car—a seatbelt. This simple belt saves thousands of lives every year. So, please buckle up.

There are even more ways to help ensure your safety while driving on the roadways of California. To learn more, keep following our Murrieta auto accident attorneys on Twitter and Facebook. You can also catch more tips on our Murrieta personal injury blog.