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In light of its beautiful skies and historic roadways, California is a motorcycle magnet, with 952,977 registered cyclists in 2021, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Riding a motorcycle can be thrilling, empowering the driver and passenger to experience something you don’t get while in a passenger car.
But motorcyclists are at an increased risk of suffering severe injuries or dying when involved in crashes. A motorcycle’s compact package does little to protect riders and passengers against the force and impact of steel and concrete.
The Orange County motorcycle accident legal team at Atticus Injury Law protect victims of motorcycle accidents and their families, fighting for their rights to secure justice when careless drivers hurt or kill their loved ones.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) most recent data, 5,579 motorcyclists died in the United States in 2020. Sadly, NHTSA also indicates that this represents 14% of all traffic fatalities and is the highest since the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) began in 1975. NHTSA’s report reveals that 82,528 motorcyclists were injured in 2020, a slight decrease from 2019 figures.
NHTSA also reports that approximately 539 motorcyclists lost their lives in California in 2020. The California Office of Traffic Safety reports that 657 people in Orange County were injured or killed in motorcycle accidents in 2020.
Many causes may contribute to motorcycle accidents, but distracted driving, failure to yield, intoxicated driving, and speeding are frequent culprits.
The team at Atticus Injury Law has extensive experience investigating various types of motorcycle accidents. Like the literary lawyer Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird, after whom he was named, Atticus Wegman is caring, diligent, and fiercely loyal to his clients. He does what it takes to discover all necessary evidence involved in the crash, which he uses to craft arguments in his clients’ favor.
Distracted driving is hazardous, causing 8% of all fatal crashes in the United States in 2020, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Passenger cars, light trucks, and commercial drivers have difficulty seeing and reacting appropriately to motorcyclists on the road. When the drivers involved are doing things other than keeping both hands on the wheel and paying attention to the driving, it can have fatal consequences.
Distracted drivers, such as those eating, talking or texting on their phones, doing their hair, or performing other activities, significantly reduce their ability to see motorcycles and appropriately respond to hazards. This increases their likelihood of being involved in a crash or causing other vehicles to collide because of exaggerated or inappropriately timed defensive maneuvers.
Despite nationwide efforts to increase awareness of and respect for motorcycles on the road, many drivers still fail to yield to or allow these vehicles to operate safely on the highway. Drivers of passenger cars mistakenly believe that motorcycles do not need an entire lane of traffic, thus increasing the risk of dangerous passing maneuvers.
Additionally, some inexperienced motorcyclists take risks and engage in unsafe practices, such as weaving and lane splitting, that may lead to accidents if done unskillfully.
Motorcycle accidents can forever alter the course of your life, but you may have options. Filing a claim against the at-fault driver may be necessary to secure the compensation you deserve.
Atticus Injury Law operates with integrity, honesty, and compassion. We genuinely care about your well-being and will treat you like a person, not a dollar sign. While we have recovered millions on behalf of clients throughout Orange County, what motivates us is the closure and peace we bring to our clients. In recognition of Atticus Wegman’s work on behalf of his clients, Super Lawyers magazine named him on the list of “Top 100 Up-and-Coming Lawyers in California” from 2016 through 2022.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation if you or your loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Orange County.
The content found on this website is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. You are not considered a client until your case has been accepted by Atticus Injury Law and a signed retainer agreement is in place. Every case is different. Results seen on this page do not guarantee a similar outcome or result for future cases. You should speak to a personal injury attorney first before determining if you should handle a claim on your own.
