PUBLISHED IN: [GHOSTWRITTEN]

You were born to be wild. But things can take a bad turn — fast. Here’s what you need to know about motorcycle accident insurance.

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Motorcycle enthusiasts are a common sight in California, 800,000 registered riding enthusiasts in the state. This means California has more motorcycle riders than any other state.

Unfortunately, with so many other vehicles on the road, Whittier motorcycle drivers may be at high risk for accidents, especially during peak travel hours.

If you’ve been involved in a collision, you’ll need a Whittier motorcycle attorney who knows how to get you the compensation you deserve. Here’s everything you need to know to avoid the common pitfalls during your personal or property injury case.

Steps to Take if You’ve Been in a Motorcycle Accident

Whether you were the driver of the motorcycle or the other vehicle, there are certain steps a good motorcycle attorney will advise you to take. Remember: following these steps exactly will help your case later on.

Step One: Make Sure You’re in a Safe Location

If your motorcycle is still drivable, get it safely to the shoulder or, if one is immediately available, a side street. Do NOT stand next to your vehicle if you can’t get it out of the road, and don’t try to pull or carry your motorcycle, especially if you feel you may have been injured.

Step Two: Call the Proper Authorities

Even if you have witnesses, call 911 immediately to report the accident. Get to a safe spot and stand well out of the way of traffic to make your call.

Step Three: Make Sure the Accident Report is Completed

You MUST make sure the police fill out a formal accident report and sign it before leaving the scene. This is your written proof that the accident took place.

Step Four: Exchange Information with the Other Driver

Get the other driver’s license, registration and insurance information, and give yours to the other driver. Taking a picture with your phone is best. If you don’t have your phone, write the information down.

If the driver does not want to give you this information, inform him that you are legally entitled to it. If there is still a problem, tell the police when they arrive.

Step Five: Take Pictures

Take a picture of the other driver’s license plate, any damage to their vehicle, and damage to your motorcycle.

Step Six: Get Medical Help

Go the hospital, Urgent Care or your doctor IMMEDIATELY after you have exchanged information with the other driver and the police have left the scene. Not all injuries are immediately apparent. Only a doctor can tell you what treatment you may need, even if you feel relatively fine at first.

The sooner you seek medical help after the accident, the better. You will need any injuries documented in case you’ll be pursuing personal injury medical compensation later.

Step Seven: Call Greenleaf Law Group

Again: don’t wait. We will advise you every step of the way what your options are, whether you may have a case, and how to go forward from here so you have your best chance of a settlement, if one is applicable.

Determining How Much Your Claim is Worth

Claims vary in how much compensation the victim may expect to receive. The following will be taken into account:

• Your medical bills immediately after the accident
• Medical bills for expected future treatment
• Permanent injury
• Loss of wages
• Damage to your motorcycle
• Pain and suffering due to your injuries
• Emotional suffering
• Wrongful death

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Even if you’re a careful rider, accidents can happen. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are:

• Weaving. Be very careful of weaving in and out of traffic. The car in front of or behind you in either lane may suddenly make a lane change, speed up, or slow down.
• Being distracted. Be alert at all times while on your motorcycle.
• Other drivers being distracted. It’s more common for a car or truck driver to glance down at a phone or eat while driving than for a motorcycle driver to attempt these risky maneuvers. Always be aware that the other driver might not be looking out for you. Give them space and slow down accordingly.
• Fatigue. If you’re tired, your response time will be slower and you won’t be as alert as you should be to oncoming danger. Try to avoid driving when overly tired.
• Drug or alcohol impairment. We know this goes without saying, but NEVER drive a motorcycle after doing drugs (including legal marijuana) or consuming alcohol, even if you believe you’re alert.
• Speeding. With so many drivers in Whittier, speeding is a common occurrence. We know you need to get to your destination, but obeying the speed limit and going with the flow of traffic decrease your chances of a serious accident.
• Lane splitting. Don’t straddle the divider line while driving your motorcycle. It unnerves other drivers, which could make them less careful.

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Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

A motorcycle rider has less external protection than a heavy car or truck. That’s why bike drivers are at high risk for serious injury.

Some of the most common injuries motorcycle accident victims may experience include:

• Head injuries. Head injuries are common in accidents involving motorcycle riders, such as:
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Broken skull and/or facial bone(s)
  • Concussion
• Broken bones. These are also common, especially the legs or arms, the skull, collarbone or ribs.
• Spinal cord injuries. These may be temporary or permanent and can affect any part of the body (lower or upper, or either side) depending upon which areas of the spine are affected.
• Road rash. While usually less severe than the other injuries mentioned, road rash can be uncomfortable and may last a few days to two weeks.
• Muscle damage. If the skin is broken by severe road rash or by the motorcycle driver being pulled along the road, muscle damage can occur.

Do You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

Some people choose to go it alone when filing an accident or personal injury claim. However, there are many reasons to hire a professional to handle things rather than trying to go it alone, such as:

• Industry experience. Our auto accident attorneys have a combined [number of years] experience with [thousands] of clients just like yourself. We know how to get you the compensation you both need and deserve.
• Up-to-date knowledge on law changes. California driving and accident laws change all the time. We’re on top of all the details you’ll need so you don’t miss out on compensation.
• A better outcome. Data shows that people who hire a lawyer to handle a motor vehicle accident case earn an average of three times the settlement of those who go it alone.
• You don’t pay unless we win your case for you. You have enough worries right now; you don’t need to worry how you’ll pay a lawyer. At Greenleaf Law Associates, you don’t pay anything unless your lawsuit is successful and you receive a financial settlement.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS? CONTACT OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE ATTORNEYS TODAY

It’s Important to Prove Liability

The state of California is a tort liability, or “fault,” state. In California, you need to prove the other driver was at fault for the collision in order to pursue compensation.

Once liability of the other party is proved, you may be entitled to injury compensation, compensation for damage to your vehicle, loss of work and other issues that have occurred due to the accident.

For your motorcycle accident case, determining liability depends upon four factors which your
Whittier attorney can help prove:

• Duty of care: An accident victim must prove that the other driver had a responsibility to act in such a way that other drivers would not be injured.
• Breach of duty: The victim must prove the other driver failed to act responsibly, and that this resulted in injury to the victim or to his/her property.
• Causation: The cause of an accident (for example, a defect in the other driver’s vehicle, the other driver disobeying traffic rules, or other factors) can be complicated. It’s critical to have an attorney representing you who knows exactly how to explain to the judge who was at fault, and why.
• Damages: Damages are another complex issue and can include but are not limited to loss of work, physical injury, and injury to your vehicle.

DON’T WAIT! CONTACT YOUR WHITTIER AUTO ACCIDENT LAW FIRM TODAY

If you were in a motorcycle accident, time is crucial. You need to know all the steps to take in order to pursue your case now, rather than waiting until it may be too late to do anything about it.

Most importantly, you need a team of experienced professionals who know the law and know exactly how to go about presenting your case for your best outcome possible.

We know you have many concerns. That’s why our knowledgeable, caring attorneys are on hand 24/7 to guide you through the often complex and confusing process of finding out how you can receive compensation.

Call us today for a FREE consultation. Remember: you never pay a fee unless we win your case for you, and we’ll never receive more financial compensation than you do. We put you first – so you can get back on the road, at work or taking care of your home and back to your normal life as quickly as possible.

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