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California Motorcycle Accidents – Overview and Statistics
Motorcycle Accident Overview and Statistics – Experienced Attorneys Serving Injury Victims from California
If you have suffered personal injury or lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, you are not alone. According to motorcycle accident statistics published on the California Governor’s Highway Traffic Safety Association website, in 2006 alone, motorcycle fatalities accounted for 12 percent of the state’s total motor vehicle deaths. If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the responsible party. Proner & Proner’s team of motorcycle accident attorneys serves clients from throughout California. Our expertise in motorcycle crash litigation – and our familiarity with the pertinent state and federal personal injury laws – allows us to provide legal representation of the highest caliber. When you enlist the services of our team, we will work diligently to protect your rights.
Motorcycle Accident Law
Motorcycle accident law in California includes a number of statutes governing liability, financial compensation, filing suit, and other issues.
Types of Injuries
The severity of a motorcycle accident injury usually depends on the circumstances of the crash. Injuries can be relatively minor (e.g., broken bones and “road rash”), although they tend to be catastrophic (e.g., back, burn, spinal cord, and brain injury). In the worst case scenario, a motorcycle accident can result in wrongful death.
Motorcycle Accident Compensation
When a motorcyclist is injured because of someone else’s negligent actions, the victim may file a motorcycle accident lawsuit to pursue a settlement or jury award. (In cases of wrongful death, the deceased’s surviving family members may seek wrongful death compensation.) The likelihood of the plaintiff’s obtaining a settlement depends on a number of factors, including the circumstances surrounding the crash, whose negligence caused the accident, California motorcycle accident laws, and the skill of the plaintiff’s attorney.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
If you believe you have grounds for filing a lawsuit, it is crucial that you hire an experienced lawyer. Proner & Proner’s motorcycle accident attorneys are intimately familiar with California laws governing the filing of motorcycle accident claims, liability, insurance issues, and additional personal issues that will likely impact your potential claim. Our attorneys’ expertise navigating these laws allows us to achieve the most favorable possible outcome for our clients.
Contact Proner & Proner to schedule a free case review with one of our motorcycle accident attorneys. Our law firm serves clients from throughout California. We are committed to providing the outstanding legal representation every client deserves.
Learn more about California motorcycle accident laws.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The following motorcycle accident statistics reflect accident and injury trends in California and throughout the U.S. since 1998*:
In 1998, there were six motorcyclist fatalities per 10,000 registered motorcycles – a fatality rate almost three times that of the rate for passenger car occupants.
Between 2004 and 2006, the number of motorcycle fatalities increased (from 432 in 2004 to 506 in 2006), as did the number of total motor vehicle fatalities (which increased from 4,120 in 2004 to 4,236 in 2006).
In 2005, there were approximately 469 motorcycle fatalities – 11 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities and three percent of motorcycle registrations that year.
Of the 4,329 highway traffic fatalities in California in 2005, 34 percent (1,466 deaths) involved driver impairment. Of these fatalities, 469 were motorcyclists – 88 percent of whom were helmeted, 125 of whom had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .01 or higher, and 344 of whom had no BAC.
In 2007, there were 495 motorcyclist fatalities in California. Of these victims, 86 percent were wearing helmets, 24 percent were driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, and 30 percent of which had a BAC of 0.01 or higher.
California is one of 16 states that mandate rider education for motorcyclists under a certain age; 20 with a universal helmet law; 17 with an education program intended to increase helmet use; nine with a program intended to help law enforcement detect helmets that do not meet the minimum safety standards; and 27 with education efforts against impaired riding.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses and expenses related to your injuries. Contact Proner & Proner to schedule a case review or learn more about motorcycle accident statistics. Our attorneys serve clients from throughout California.
*Motorcycle accident statistic references: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Governors Highway Safety Association websites.
Contact Proner & Proner to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys. As statistics show, California motorcyclists face enormous risks, and we are here to protect their rights when they are injured in accidents.
