Motorcycle Accidents

If you've been injured in a California motorcycle accident caused by another driver, you want to know who will pay your medical bills and replace your lost wages - and you also want to know who is going to cover the damage to your bike.

As you recover from your injuries, let the Arnold Law Firm handle those other details for you. Call the Sacramento, California motorcycle wreck lawyers today at 916-924-3100 or contact us online. You may be entitled to compensation that will help you or a loved one recover from your injuries.

California is home to thousands of motorcyclists, thanks to the state’s moderate weather and famously scenic highway systems. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are about 15 percent more likely to be involved in a crash than a car or truck driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Many motorists are surprised to learn that most crashes involving motorcycles are not caused by the motorcyclist, but by another driver. Drivers often change lanes into motorcycles or turn in front of them at intersections. Because they are lighter and more responsive, motorcycles can brake and come to a stop much more quickly than cars and trucks. Unfortunately, this means motorcycles are hit from behind when they stop suddenly to avoid a hazard.

In addition to their vulnerability to other motorists, motorcyclists are more susceptible to environmental risk factors, such as unexpected rain and strong winds. Road conditions, including loose gravel, potholes and unmarked construction, can also spell sudden disaster for motorcycle riders.

Motorcycle wrecks produce many of the same legal scenarios as car wrecks. But because the injuries are often more severe, the stakes may be significantly higher. The same factors that make motorcycle injuries more severe - less protection in a crash and smaller vehicle size - also put motorcyclists at an increased risk of death. Indeed, the number of motorcycle fatalities in California has increased every year since 2003, with 465 deaths in 2007.

Motorcycle injuries often involve the legs and feet - the parts of a motorcyclist’s body closest to the road. While these injuries are not always life-threatening, they can be extremely expensive to treat. Worse, they can result in lengthy or permanent mobility reductions. A 2008 study found the mean cost of initial hospital treatment for a single motorcycle injury to the leg or foot was $20,745, not including treatment and rehabilitation after being discharged from the hospital. The August 2008 study by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that this cost increased to $38,608 for a motorcyclist with multiple leg or foot injuries. The 25 percent of motorcyclists with foot or leg injuries and injuries elsewhere on the body incurred hospital charges of more than $109,000.

Deciding to ride a motorcycle doesn’t mean you have agreed to pay for someone else’s mistakes. Getting the monetary compensation you deserve is important. We can help. If someone else is to blame for the injuries you suffered in a motorcycle wreck, call the Sacramento, California motorcycle accident attorneys at the Arnold Law Firm today at 916-924-3100 or contact us online. Our Sacramento legal team will discuss your case without fee or obligation. We know many people may not be able to afford an attorney, so we only charge a fee if we win your case.