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Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Providing Clear Guidance After An Injury
Motorcyclists can enjoy year-round riding in Southern California, thanks to our mild weather and consistent sunshine. As a result, drivers are likely to encounter motorcyclists on the road throughout the year and should remain attentive to their presence.
Motorcycles are smaller and often darker than cars, which makes them more difficult to see and avoid. When drivers collide with motorcyclists, they are also more likely to sustain much more severe injuries than vehicle occupants. This is because they lack the protection of a steel vehicle frame, airbags, or seatbelts.
For this reason, the roads of Los Angeles are especially dangerous for riders. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, it is important to understand your legal rights and options after an accident.
Negligent drivers have a legal obligation to compensate injury victims for the losses they cause if liability is established. The experienced Los Angeles motorcycle attorneys at Arash Law can guide you through the legal process and help you understand your rights. Call (888) 488-1391 today to schedule your free initial consultation with one of our motorcycle accident attorneys in Southern California.
What Is A Blind Spot?
A blind spot is an area around a vehicle where it’s difficult for the driver to see directly. Blind spots can be created by a vehicle’s bodywork, window pillars, or head restraints. They are also created by the angle of rearview and side-view mirrors, which only allow limited views of the surrounding roadway.
All vehicles, including motorcycles, have blind spots. This means that all road users must be cautious of their own blind spots and those of nearby vehicles in the roadway. The larger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spots. Be particularly careful around large vehicles such as semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and tanker trucks. Different vehicles may have varying blind spots due to their design.
Window pillars and head restraints are designed differently in various vehicles, which can create distinct blind spots. Drivers should be especially careful when driving an unfamiliar vehicle. Check your mirrors and blind spots before heading out in a rental car, borrowed vehicle, or newly purchased car.
When And Where Blind Spot Accidents Are Most Likely To Occur
Blind spot accidents are likely to occur when a driver’s visibility is impaired. Often, this happens as a result of weather conditions. Fog, rain, hail, snow, and other weather conditions can reduce a driver’s visibility.
Night driving also reduces visibility on the roadway. When driving at night or in inclement weather, drivers should slow down and be exceptionally watchful of the road around them. Other times, a driver’s visibility is impaired by the path of the road itself.
Roundabouts, turns, and “blind corners” can all restrict a driver’s view of the road ahead. Again, it is critical that drivers slow down to safely navigate these conditions. Keep your vehicle visible. Use your headlights and horn as necessary to alert other vehicles to your presence.
These safety rules for drivers also apply to motorcycle riders. Motorcycle riders are actually at higher risk when road visibility is impaired. This is because motorcycles are already more difficult to see. Being smaller (and usually darker) than larger cars and trucks, motorcycles are less visible from the road.
This is exacerbated at night and during poor weather conditions. Motorcycle riders should take extra steps to remain visible, especially in inclement weather. Light clothing, headlights, and horns can all be used to alert other drivers to your presence. It’s also crucial to reduce your speed and signal turns to make your movements obvious. This can make it easier for other drivers to anticipate your path and help prevent them from hitting you.
Motorcycle riders must also watch out for road users who are even more difficult to spot. Bicyclists, pedestrians, skateboarders, scooter riders, and others can all be difficult to see. They can dart into the road unexpectedly or make other unanticipated movements. Keep a careful watch for these road users. Allow yourself plenty of time and space to get out of their way and avoid collisions.
How Motorcyclists Can Help Avoid Blind Spot Accidents
Before you ever hit the road, there are essential things a motorcycle rider can do to help prevent blind spot accidents:
Buy Motorcycle Safety Gear
The first step toward safe riding is having the appropriate safety gear. Riders should always have a well-fit helmet, riding boots, gloves, and leathers. By purchasing from a store, you can check if the gear is the right fit for you. You will also benefit from a manufacturer’s warranty. Equipment purchased online or through resale may not be covered by these protections.
Complete A Motorcycle Safety Course
All riders can benefit from taking a safety course, regardless of their skill level or experience. Remember, riders must be prepared for various unexpected road conditions, as well as drivers who may not be vigilant for motorcycle riders. Safety courses can help you learn or refresh your skills in defensive riding techniques, emergency braking, and other life-saving skills. Do an online search for classes in your area.
Maintain Your Motorcycle
Regular maintenance is an indispensable part of motorcycle safety. Tires should be regularly aligned and replaced as needed. Oil changes and other preventive maintenance should be performed by a qualified mechanic who can identify any other issues that need to be addressed.
It is also essential to check your bike before every single ride. Look for any loose or wobbly parts. Look for stray debris that may have gotten stuck in the tires. Carefully and thoroughly inspect your bike for any potential hazards. Remember, you will have little protection on the open road.
Practice Braking
Braking is one of the most critical safety skills a rider must learn. Braking technique can make the difference between life and death in an accident. Even experienced riders should practice braking regularly to ensure they are prepared for potential accidents. Find an open, empty stretch of road where you can practice without disruption. Follow riding trends online to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques. Some older braking techniques are no longer recommended, and all riders should refrain from using them.
Once you have thoroughly prepared for a safe ride, there are important safety rules you can follow while out on the road:
Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
This is a crucial step in helping to prevent accidents. Awareness will help you see and avoid obstructions in the roadway. It will also help you see other vehicles and anticipate their movements. Check your mirrors frequently, but don’t rely solely on them. Be aware of your blind spots. Continuously monitor the road around you.
Ride Like Drivers Can’t See You
If you ride as though no car can see you, you will be more aware of your surroundings. You will also be more likely to establish your presence. Light-colored clothing can help, as can using your headlight. When necessary, you can also use your horn to alert other road users to your presence, but this should be a last resort. Excessive honking can result in road rage and other unsafe situations.
Pay Attention To The Wheels Of Other Cars
This will help you see where other vehicles are headed. Not all drivers use a turn signal. In addition, even those who use their turn signal sometimes leave it on too long or even use the signal on the wrong side. Wheel position is a better indicator of where the driver intends to go. This is a crucial step in maintaining situational awareness.
Be Careful Of Cars Turning Left At Intersections
A common type of motorcycle collision occurs when a driver turns left in front of a motorcycle at an intersection. Allow plenty of space between your bike and other vehicles at an intersection. Have an escape route available in case swerving is necessary to avoid a collision. Again, watch the wheel position so that you can anticipate the movements of other vehicles. Maintain awareness of all traffic before entering an intersection. Keep your hands positioned over the brakes so that you are prepared to stop quickly and avoid collisions in an intersection.
Avoid Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is a controversial practice that is only legal in California. It allows riders to pass vehicles going in the same direction in the same lane. No other state has formally legalized the practice, and SFGate reports that California only did so after a complicated legal process. While it is convenient for motorcycle riders stuck in traffic, it also dramatically increases the risk of injury. Many drivers do not anticipate motorcycles moving between lanes of traffic. This increases the likelihood of motorcycles being involved in accidents. As your speed increases, so does the risk of injury. To help avoid injury, refrain from lane splitting altogether.
Avoid Speeding Through Tight Turns
Motorcycles require a much higher degree of manual control than cars or trucks. Because of this, turns can be especially dangerous for motorcycle riders. The faster you are traveling, the less control you will have over your motorcycle. Slow down before approaching any turn. Allow yourself plenty of time and space to navigate the turn safely.
Don’t Drink And Drive
Drinking and driving are just as fatal for motorcycle riders as they are for vehicle occupants. The Insurance Information Institute reports on 2017 fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2017, 34.7 percent of all vehicle occupant fatalities involved alcohol impairment, while 28.3% of all motorcyclist fatalities were alcohol-related. With the wide availability of Lyft, Uber, and other rideshare services, it is easier than ever to get a ride and avoid drunk driving.
Follow The Speed Limit
Speed is one of the most common factors contributing to road accidents. Speed reduces your control over your motorcycle. It also increases the momentum generated in a collision, which in turn increases the severity of the injuries sustained. Always follow the posted speed limit. Sometimes, road conditions make it unsafe to travel at the posted speed limit. Slow down during rain, snow, sleet, hail, or other conditions that reduce your visibility or make the roadway slick.
How Drivers Can Avoid Blind Spot Motorcycle Accidents
Drivers of cars and trucks must also take precautions to help avoid blind spot accidents. Drivers who fail to see a motorcycle, allow enough space, slow down, yield the right of way, or are otherwise negligent can be held legally responsible for causing an accident. Many motorcycle accidents cause serious injuries that result in substantial medical expenses and other damages. Follow these driving tips to help keep the roads safe for everyone:
Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
Like motorcycle riders, drivers must maintain constant awareness of what is happening on the road. Drivers must be especially cautious when it comes to smaller vehicles that are difficult to see, such as motorcycles. Maintain constant surveillance of the surrounding roadway. Be especially cautious at night, in fog, and during other periods of low visibility.
Check Your Blind Spots Before Changing Lanes
Every vehicle has blind spots, and every vehicle’s blind spots are different. Be aware of the vehicle’s blind spots. Do a “shoulder check” of your blind spots before changing lanes or turning.
Adjust Your Mirrors To Minimize Your Blind Spots
Not only do each vehicle have different blind spots, but each driver also has different blind spots. The driver’s height determines the appropriate mirror placement. Adjust your rearview and side-view mirrors before each trip.
Always Signal Your Lane Changes And Turns
One simple step to help avoid collisions is to let other road users know where you intend to go. By signaling your lane changes and turns, you help other road users anticipate your actions, which in turn reduces the risk of accidents.
Monitor Your Speed
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speed was a contributing factor in 30 percent of all fatal accidents in 2012. More than ten thousand deaths were attributed to speeding that year. Speeding is especially dangerous in motorcycle accidents. Without the protection of a vehicle frame, airbags, seatbelts, or other safety features, a motorcycle rider has little protection from the added force of speeding-related accidents. Reducing your speed can help you maintain control of your vehicle and reduce the severity of injuries sustained in a collision.
Keep Your Distance
The simple buffer of a few feet can make a significant impact on the outcome of a crash. With a little added space, road users can help avoid collisions. Never tailgate or drive aggressively. Allow plenty of space between your vehicle and other vehicles on the roadway. If another vehicle speeds up or starts driving aggressively, let them pass you and maintain your own buffer zone.
Consult With A Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Injuries from a motorcycle accident can make a significant impact on the life of the victim. If negligence is established, injury victims may have grounds to pursue compensation for the resulting injuries and losses. This may include medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, a decrease in future income potential, scarring & disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life, depending on the specifics of the case.
Contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form here to schedule a free case review. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Los Angeles have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and advocating for the rights of injured clients following a motorcycle accident. Our attorneys for motorcycle accident cases work to help you pursue compensation and manage the process on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your health. We also have other personal injury attorneys, including truck, bicycle, pedestrian, and car accident lawyers, who can handle other traffic-related crashes.
