Santa Barbara Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

California weather is perfect for riding motorcycles. Despite the abundance of motorcyclists in the Golden State’s roadways, motorcycle crashes are sadly also common. They are exposed to various dangers on the road, and unfortunately, a lot of drivers still don’t know how to drive safely around motorcyclists.

Sometimes, drivers may not simply be aware of the presence of riders around them because they are not paying enough attention. Because of the inherent risks of riding and the increased possibility of catastrophic or fatal injuries in a crash, it is crucial for injured riders to have skilled legal representation after an accident. 

The experienced Santa Barbara motorcycle accident attorneys of Bamieh & De Smeth will thoroughly assess your case, help you learn more about your legal options, and secure fair compensation for your losses on your behalf.

Common Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcyclists are immensely susceptible to a broad range of hazards when riding because they lack the protection that other vehicles have. This means that they usually suffer more serious injuries in a crash involving another vehicle. These injuries typically include:

• Road Rash – This very painful injury commonly occurs when a rider gets dragged on the road following a crash. While these are not usually fatal, they can be infected if not properly treated. Depending on the severity, road rash can likewise cause permanent discoloration and scarring.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries or TBIs – These normally occur when motorcyclists hit their heads, resulting in brain damage. Serious TBIs will affect the injured victim’s cognitive and physical abilities. They may require multiple surgeries and extensive therapies to fully recover. In more severe cases, however, victims will need lifelong care and treatments.

• Multiple Bone Fractures – Motorcyclists usually get thrown off their bikes or meet the ground in a collision. Depending on the severity of the impact, they may sustain multiple bone fractures. The most common parts of the body that sustain fractures in motorcycle crashes are the ribs, arms, back, and legs.

• Internal Bleeding – Internal bleeding typically occurs when the internal organs get punctured or damaged in a crash. It can occur in any part of your body. It’s vital to note that internal bleeding is an invisible injury, it’s critical that you get yourself checked by a doctor following a motorcycle crash. Even if you feel perfectly well or think that your injuries are not that serious, getting an official diagnosis and record of your injuries will be crucial to your potential personal injury claim.

• Spinal Cord Damage – The spine is among the most delicate part of your body, and it serves as your body’s information highway. Once your spine gets injured, depending on the extent and nature of the injury, you risk complete or partial paralysis that may be temporary or permanent.

Motorcycle Accidents Our Attorneys Handle

Motorcycle crashes can arise from a wide range of situations and causes. Regardless of how your accident occurred, our Santa Barbara motorcycle accident attorneys will investigate the crash, prove how the liable party caused the accident, and secure compensation for your injuries and related damages. Here are some of the motorcycle accidents our skilled attorneys handle:

Head-On Motorcycle Crashes

Among all the kinds of motorcycle accidents, head-on collisions are the most devastating. Even if it’s possible for a motorcyclist to brace for the oncoming impact (which rarely happens) to try and avoid a crash, from a physics standpoint, both the motorcyclist and the other vehicle’s impact forces inevitably combine and result in a tragic head-on crash.

Moreover, the motorcyclist’s position as it relates to the impact of the collision increases the risk of the rider being thrown off the motorcycle, resulting in further injuries from being thrown or getting hit by oncoming traffic.

Risky Driving Accidents

Whether due to drunk driving, drugged driving, distraction, fatigue, speeding, or some other behavior or driver error that causes a substantial deficit in a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely, risky driving is a leading cause of motorcycle vs. vehicle crashes in California and elsewhere. While motorcyclists are used to paying extra attention while riding because plenty of drivers fail to drive safely around motorcyclists, there are specific situations that they can’t just avoid.

Likewise, impaired drivers can be especially hazardous for riders because they depend on instinct and muscle memory due to being impaired. When this happens, an impaired driver may not respond accurately to navigate around a motorcyclist and provide the space required to prevent a crash.

Rear-End Motorcycle Accidents

Rear-end crashes are very dangerous for motorcyclists because they don’t expect the crash and can’t possibly do anything to try and keep it from happening. These accidents simply don’t give motorcyclists the chance to prepare for or avoid a crash, which exposes them to an increased risk of serious injury. It is likewise important to note that even seemingly minor rear-end crashes can result in serious injuries.

Left-Turn Motorcycle Crashes

Left-turn crashes commonly occur at intersections. Usually, these accidents happen because of a driver’s failure to see a motorcyclist turning left. The driver may then cut off and crash into the motorcyclist. But keep in mind that right-of-way is given to vehicles based on how they’re approaching an intersection. For instance, drivers must yield the right-of-way to motorcycles or other vehicles that are making a left turn at intersections.

Hit and Run Motorcycle Crashes

Unfortunately, hit and run motorcycle crashes are common, mostly because a crash can completely disable a motorcyclist, leaving them unable to identify the liable party and stop them from speeding away. If you were injured by a hit and run driver, you will have a significant advantage when you file a claim against the driver. But first, you will need to identify and track down the negligent driver.

Our Santa Barbara motorcycle accident attorneys here at Bamieh & De Smeth have the resources to identify and locate the driver and hold them accountable for their negligent actions.

Motorcycle Accidents Due to Right-of-Way Violations

The most important thing to remember with right-of-way rules is that they are intended to help ensure the safety of all road users. Otherwise, all kinds of traffic accidents can and do happen. Right-of-way isn’t assigned based on whether you’re a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or motor vehicle driver. Traffic control devices must be followed regardless of what type of road user you are. This means that if a motorist injures a motorcyclist who had the right-of-way during the crash, the motorist must be held liable for the rider’s damages.

Intersection Motorcycle Crashes

Sideswipe accidents, broadside crashes, T-bone collisions, or any other collision that impacts the motorcycle’s side usually results severe injuries for riders because there’s literally no material or shield to absorb the impact of the crash. In such accidents, motorcyclists feel the full force of the crash, so their injuries tend to be more catastrophic.

Impaired Visibility Collisions

Because motorcycles are small, they’re fun, exhilarating to ride, and easily maneuverable. But it’s exactly their small size that makes them very hard to spot on the road in certain circumstances. For instance, if a negligent driver is speeding at night, they have a better chance of seeing a truck or another four-wheel vehicle than seeing a motorcyclist on the same roadway.

Unsafe Lane Changing Motorcycle Crashes

In accidents resulting from unsafe lane changing, drivers usually change lanes abruptly and recklessly, without properly assessing their mirrors and surroundings for the presence of motorcycles or other vehicles.

Damages You Can Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Claim

In a personal injury claim, damages are used for compensating injured victims for all the injuries and related losses they suffer as a result of another individual or entity’s negligence.

Economic Damages

These are utilized to compensate injured motorcyclists for losses that you can attach a dollar amount to. These damages can be calculated by figuring out the amount of money that an injured victim has spent or will be expected to spend or lose because of their injuries. Economic damages typically include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost earnings if unable to work
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Cost for replacement services like childcare, house chores, etc.

Non-Economic Damages

These are essentially for covering subjective losses instead of out-of-pocket expenses an injured motorcyclist has incurred due to the accident. Non-economic damages usually include the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Loss of companionship
• Disfigurement or significant scarring

Find Out What Our Skilled Santa Barbara Motorcycle Accident Can Do For You

Motorcycle crashes are immensely tragic and almost always cause more injuries to motorcyclists than the other motorists involved. And this is extremely unfair, especially in cases where the accident occurred due to another party’s negligent actions. While nothing can ever really reverse all the damage you have incurred in a California motorcycle crash, you have all the right to seek financial remedy to help ease your financial burdens due to the crash.

Whether you or a loved one has suffered injuries, or you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Santa Barbara motorcycle accident attorneys for legal guidance. Contact Bamieh & De Smeth online or call 805-643-5555 to schedule your free case consultation.