About Establishing Fault and Damages You May Receive in a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents only account to just around 13 percent of all traffic crash deaths in the United States every year. However, such mishaps were found to be more dangerous than other motor vehicle crashes. This is mainly due to the fact that motorcycle riders and passengers are not protected from the severe impact of crashes, unlike motorists who are secured inside their cars during an accident.

Also, it is likely for motorcycle accident victims to suffer from serious injuries or get killed in certain crashes, especially that they share the road with bigger vehicles such as automobiles and trucks. Although they are part of the road, not all motorists are able to recognize the presence of moving two-wheeled vehicles.

If in case you get involved in a motorcycle crash as a rider and you suffered an injury, it is best that you seek medical attention immediately. After which, you must be able to obtain the legal representation of a top Los Angeles motorcycle attorney who can help you determine if the other party is at fault for the accident and how much compensation you are entitled to receive for the damages and injuries you sustained.

In California, determining fault in a motorcycle accident is based on the statute of pure comparative negligence. It is possible that the investigators in-charge of determining the cause of the accident may rule that the injured rider may also be at fault for the accident, albeit partially. Applying the said statute, if, for example, the injured rider was determined as 30 percent at fault for the accident,  he or she will only receive 30 percent of the total damages determined.

Reminders for Motorcyclists This Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

The Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is being celebrated this month. Obviously, a lot of federal and state traffic safety agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), are raising safety awareness not only for motorcyclist but for other motorists as well through educational campaigns and other important initiatives.

This national traffic safety initiative aims to remind both motorcyclists and motorists to look out for each other, putting into account the value of sharing the road to further avoid accidents. As we all know, motorcycle mishaps make up a large part of motor traffic accidents and subsequent injuries and deaths, and this month’s awareness campaign is a great way to instill to the minds of people the importance of safety driving.

Statistics from the NHTSA indicated that some 4,612 motorcyclists were killed in the United States two years ago. Said figure was a two-percent increase from the previous year, and it also accounted for about 14 percent of all traffic highway deaths in the country. This is despite motorcycle registrations accounting to only about 3 percent of all vehicles in the U.S.

Preventing motorcycle accident injuries and deaths are one of the highlights of the NHTSA’s awareness drive for this month. In fact, the traffic safety agency has provided the following safety recommendations for motorcyclists: