What You Should Do After Getting Involved in a Motorcycle Accident in LA

Being involved in any kind of motorcycle accident in Los Angeles is harrowing. It leaves riders and families with serious injuries and a long fight to secure justice. Every decision impacts your ability to win the case.

This guide details local accident numbers, the common causes of motorcycle crashes, and what you should do if you get entangled in one.

Riding through the city presents unique dangers. A motorcycle accident law firm in Los Angeles can help you navigate a motorcycle crash. However, these numbers should still be a cautionary tale for every driver:

• In 2022, there were 634 fatal motorcycle crashes in California, comprising 14.6% of national traffic fatalities.

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 42% of motorcycle accidents occur when another driver makes a sudden left turn, failing to see other motorcyclists behind them.

Understanding these statistics helps you see how negligence, heavy traffic, and dangerous maintenance issues play roles in deadly crashes.

If an accident has just occurred, acting quickly protects your health and legal rights. Emergency personnel respond in most serious cases, but you should also be proactive.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Prioritize safety and medical attention

Immediately move to a location far from four lanes, high-speed traffic, or a freeway interchange. Pull your phone out of your pocket and call 911 for emergency response.

When the medical responders arrive, seek medical attention even if you feel fine. The adrenaline in your body can suppress pain and catastrophic injuries while you’re in the moment.

Failing to document your injuries may undermine future claims for compensation, especially in a wrongful death claim.

2. Document the scene thoroughly

Take photos of all vehicles involved, especially if you see a motorcycle obstructing lanes or debris scattered on the road in both northbound and southbound freeways.

Photograph skid marks and dangerous road conditions to add more weight to the case. Get the names, phone numbers, and statements from witnesses, including fellow riders who were present at the accident.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) typically files a police report, especially for fatal crashes, and your own records can supplement the logs.

3. File an Official Police Report

The CHP or local officers will ensure that every fatal motorcycle crash or a grave collision is properly documented. If you’re filing the report, include the following information:

• Time and place where the incident occurred. For example, “Saturday evening on the southbound area of the Golden State Freeway.”

• The names of the parties involved.

• Initial findings about how the crash took place.

An official report is essential when the medical examiner’s office, attorneys, and insurance companies start to investigate the crash.

Motorcyclists in California usually face hazards, particularly in downtown Los Angeles or on the northbound Pasadena Freeway. These types of collisions can cause:

• Left-turn collisions: This happens when a driver suddenly takes the left turn due to misjudging the speed or distance of oncoming traffic.

• Rear-end collisions: These happen when drivers suddenly brake and bump into the rear of other people’s cars.

• Freeway crashes: These happen due to the driver being distracted or fatigued.

• Colliding with dangerous road conditions: Debris, potholes, and poor road maintenance can cause drivers to cross into oncoming lanes.

Each kind of accident brings the urgent need to investigate and examine the circumstances.

These kinds of accidents can either leave a person dead or change one’s life dramatically. When a motorcyclist dies at the scene, the family members they leave behind will endlessly grieve while fighting for justice and fair compensation. Some loved ones may even be pressured by insurance companies to accept a low offer for the case to close.

When a driver survives the crash, it will take a long time for them to recover. They may also sustain injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage, making them unable to go back to their previous lives. These injuries block a survivor’s ability to work, potentially leading them to feel a sense of worthlessness.

Victims and surviving family members don’t need to face the future and the justice system by themselves. These legal options can open doors to get the law on their side:

• File a personal injury claim to get back costs of lost wages, pain, and medical attention.

• Pursue a wrongful death claim when the motorcyclist that got killed left a family without a stable income.

• Investigate driver negligence if it was due to distraction, failure to yield, or speeding.

• Hold government agencies accountable for failed road maintenance or dangerous conditions.

Accident attorneys will review Los Angeles County office reports, police reports, and the medical examiner’s findings to strengthen your case and give you a higher chance of winning.

Teaming up with a competent motorcycle accident attorney is important if you’ve been involved in an accident in Los Angeles County. They can:

• Analyze the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate crash.

• Negotiate fair compensation with insurance companies.

• Represent victims in court to get the compensation they deserve.

• Help get justice for the family members who were left behind in cases where the crash killed the victims.

Lawyers understand how complex California law is. They advocate for victims who get entangled in crashes wherever they may be in California.

A motorcycle crash in Los Angeles is a turning point in any driver’s life. Whether the accident occurred downtown or not, one should call for medical help and file a police report with the CHP. A medical team will come to tend to injuries, and attorneys will help explore legal options to get financial recovery.

Every detail matters when investigating cases like motorcycle crashes. Professional guidance helps victims and their families pursue justice and hold negligent drivers accountable.