There are several benefits to riding a motorcycle in Echo Park. Wonderful weather, scenic views, and long stretches of the road all make riding your motorcycle in Echo Park an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, the risk of injury is much higher in a motorcycle accident than it is in a normal car accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal motorcycle accidents are 28 times more likely than fatal accidents involving other motor vehicles. There is simply very little protection offered by motorcycles in the event of an accident, and when you consider the high speeds and hazards on the road that they have to contend with, it should come as no surprise that riding motorcycles can be extremely dangerous.
Even when motorcycle accidents aren’t fatal, victims often require substantial medical treatment and suffer injuries that require expensive, long-term treatment. These terrible accidents can leave you and your family searching for help and support.
Experience and Dedication From Echo Park Personal Injury Attorneys
One way to get that help and support is to contact our team of experienced Echo Park personal injury attorneys at Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC. Our attorneys have helped countless motorcycle accident victims in Echo Park and the surrounding area recover damages for their physical, emotional, and financial losses. This support is available and can help you get back on the road to recovery.
Contact us today for a free consultation if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in Echo Park.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Echo Park?
While there are numerous benefits to riding a motorcycle in Echo Park, there are also a number of drawbacks. Possibly the biggest is that motorcycle riders are extremely vulnerable on the road. One of these vulnerabilities is the likelihood that they will be in an accident. Simply put, motorcyclists in Echo Park–and elsewhere–are much more likely to be in an accident because they have to not only watch out for their own driving but the driving of those in regular vehicles. Because a motorcycle is much smaller than a normal vehicle, drivers in other vehicles have a much more difficult time seeing and reacting to them. This, in turn, leads to accidents. Other common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Failing to check blind spots
- Changing lanes unsafely or lane splitting
- Driving too fast for the road conditions
- Failing to yield to the motorcyclist
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving
- Running a stop sign or traffic light
No-Contact Accidents
Motorcyclists in Echo Park are also frequently involved in “no-contact” accidents. These accidents occur in a situation where the motorcycle rider is involved in an accident, but no physical contact is made with another vehicle or object. Motorcycles move at extremely high speeds but are also very difficult to control. No-contact accidents usually occur when the rider is moving too fast for the road conditions and lose control of their motorcycle.
Who Is Liable In An Echo Park Motorcycle Accident?
In an Echo Park motorcycle accident, a number of different parties could be liable for the damages and injuries you suffer. Figuring out just who is responsible requires an understanding of negligence, as well as the circumstances that contributed to the accident. In an Echo Park motorcycle accident, one of all of the following parties could be found liable:
- The driver of the vehicle that struck the motorcyclist
- The manufacturer of the motorcycle
- The city or entity that is responsible for maintaining the roadway where the motorcycle accident occurred
Like any other type of vehicle accident, a driver is at-fault when their negligent or reckless driving caused the accident with the motorcycle. If a part malfunctions, the motorcycle manufacturer could be found liable for any injuries the motorcyclist suffers because of a mechanical failure or an otherwise defective part that caused an accident.
Similarly, if a defect in the road–such as a pothole-causes the motorcycle accident, then the entity that is responsible for maintaining the roadway and keeping it safe could be found liable for your injuries. Normally, the city or Caltrans is responsible for fixing any problem spots in the road. A motorcycle is especially vulnerable to potholes and other problems.
Common Echo Park Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents in Echo Park are almost guaranteed to involve injuries. This is due to the lack of protection offered by the motorcycle itself, as well as the speed and other circumstances involved in the crash. Usually, Echo Park motorcycle accidents result in the following injuries
- Road rash
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Muscle strains
- Injuries to the neck and back
- Whiplash
- Traumatic Brain Injuries or concussions
The motorcycle accident itself is only the start of issues for the injured rider. Most likely, they will have suffered serious injuries, especially if they were hit by a vehicle or moving at extremely high speeds. This compounds the problem of medical care, which can last the remainder of the rider’s life. Not only that, but there are emotional and psychological damage that come with these accidents.
What An Echo Park Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim Covers
In order to recover the support you need to recover, you’ll need to file an injury claim. Every motorcycle accident is unique, but most motorcycle accident injury claims cover two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages refer to monetary losses incurred as a result of an injury or harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, refer to the emotional or psychological harm caused by an injury, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Working with our team of experienced attorneys can make sure that every available route to support is taken. In an Echo Park motorcycle accident injury claim, you can potentially recover the following:
- Medical treatment costs
- Physical therapy costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
It can be difficult to calculate the actual value of your damages in a motorcycle accident, especially if your injuries are severe and long-term. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced motorcycle accident attorney on your side. It’s not a legal requirement to have an attorney, but having one can make all the difference to your claim.
Get Help From Experienced Echo Park Attorneys
Being in a motorcycle accident in Echo Park is extremely unfortunate, and in some cases, tragic. When you or a loved one do suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to contact Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys.
We can explain your legal options and provide you with top-notch legal support so that you can file an injury claim that can help you get back on the road to recovery. During your free initial consultation, we can answer your questions and give you a roadmap of what to expect. Schedule your free consultation today by contacting us here.