Napa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Devastating

Motorcycle accidents result in some of the most devastating injuries and are much more likely to result in death than a standard passenger car wreck. Two factors contribute to the severity of motorcycle wrecks:

• Lack of protection and safety equipment. The lack of structural protection that a car offers leaves motorcyclists themselves to absorb the full force of an impact. The lack of seatbelts, airbags, and other safety equipment leaves rides vulnerable to severe injury. Even with helmets and protective gear such as leather jackets, a motorcyclist is at a much greater risk of injury than a passenger in a car.
• Reduced visibility. Motorcyclists can be challenging for other drivers to see. The small and slim stature of a motorcycle can make them easy to overlook, especially in a driver’s blind spots.

Motorcycle Accident Damages

If you are contemplating filing a Napa motorcycle accident lawsuit, you may want to know what compensation you may be able to recover. If you are successful, three categories of damages are available.

Economic Damages

Economic damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage, are typically the easiest to calculate. These losses are reflected in bills, receipts, invoices, and estimates that can be compiled to determine your loss.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages are meant to compensate a plaintiff for their subjective losses. These damages are more difficult to calculate and include pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.

Both economic and noneconomic damages are considered compensatory damages because they compensate a plaintiff for their actual calculable losses.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may also be available under certain circumstances. Unlike economic and noneconomic damages, punitive damages do not compensate for a plaintiff’s loss but are meant to punish a defendant for egregious behavior and serve as a deterrent to others.

These damages are typically awarded at the court’s discretion and under limited circumstances in which the defendant acted intentionally or in a grossly negligent manner.

Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can lead to particularly devastating injuries. The lack of protection and safety equipment a bike has to offer often means catastrophic consequences for victims.

Although many motorcycle injuries will be similar to those of a car accident, some more closely resemble those of a pedestrian accident.

These injuries include:

• Road rash,
• Lacerations,
• Broken bones,
• Skull fractures,
• Internal bleeding,
• Neck and back injuries,
• Spinal cord injuries, and
• Amputated limbs.

Motorcycle crash victims often suffer from permanent disabilities that can significantly impact their quality of life. These injuries commonly have lasting effects beyond physical wounds, including extreme mental and emotional trauma.

You may be entitled to compensation for moderate road rash or severe life-altering injuries.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often require extensive investigation, both on the scene and long after the scene is cleared and wounds are healed. Sometimes, the cause of the crash is readily apparent, but other times, identifying the cause takes time and effort.

Most causes of a motorcycle accident are similar to those for any motor vehicle crash. However, there are three causes of motorcycle wrecks that we routinely see.

Another Motorist’s Negligence

One of the most common causes of a motorcycle accident has nothing to do with the motorcyclist but instead another driver.

Another driver acting negligently is one of the most common motorcycle accident causes. If a car, truck, or bus driver acts negligently on the road, it can devastate motorcyclists. Driver negligence can include a variety of conduct, including:

• Driving while under the influence;
• Violating traffic laws (e.g., running a red light, unsafe lane change, speeding, etc.); and
• Texting or using the phone while driving.

These negligent activities can be hazardous and even deadly to motorcycles sharing the roads.

Motorcycle Malfunction or Defect

Like any motor vehicle, a defective or malfunctioning part in a motorcycle can cause an accident.

For example, malfunctioning brakes can lead to a severe crash with devastating injuries. If that occurs, the brake and motorcycle manufacturer may be responsible for your damages.

Poorly Maintained Roads and Road Hazards

Often, rural roads outside of the city are poorly maintained. Uneven pavement, potholes, and slick blacktops might pose a minor risk to cars and trucks but can pose a substantial threat to motorcycle rides.

What to do After a Motorcycle Accident

It is common for shock, adrenaline, and fear to take over in the moments after a motorcycle crash. Having a mental checklist of the steps to take after a motorcycle accident can ease your anxiety.

Seek Medical Treatment

Most motorcycle accidents result in a call to 911 and an emergency medical response.

However, even if you are lucky enough to walk away from the crash, it is a good idea to seek medical attention. The same shock and adrenaline that can make the moments following a collision foggy can mask injuries.

Medical treatment can include:

• Primary care services,
• Urgent care clinic,
• Radiology services,
• Orthopedic treatment,
• Physical and occupational therapy,
• Surgical repair, and
• Pharmaceutical services.

Always ensure a doctor thoroughly checks you out after an accident.

Document the Accident Scene

Document the accident scene by taking pictures with your phone and noting essential details such as weather and road conditions, potential surveillance video, and other vehicles involved.

You should relay your account of what happened to the responding police officer and gather eyewitness information.

We understand this step is only sometimes feasible if you sustained a severe injury. Don’t worry, we can help you gather this information later if you are unable to do so at the time of the accident.

Consult a Napa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Even if you are unsure whether to pursue legal remedies, it is wise to consult with a motorcycle accident attorney shortly after the crash. They can help you understand all options and rights available to you.

A seasoned attorney will assist you with more than just representing you in the courtroom. From the start, our team will evaluate your case and assess the accident’s circumstances to determine your best course of action.

Get in Contact With a Napa Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a Napa, CA motorcycle accident, you should not face the physical, emotional, and financial ramifications alone.

Let our team at Wells Call Injury Lawyers help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve. We do not get paid unless you do. Contact us for a consultation today.