Frequently Asked Questions – Motorcycle Accidents
Q. How many people are killed or hurt in motorcycle accidents each year?
A. Each year, several thousand people die and as many as 50,000 people are injured in motorcycle collisions and accidents in the United States. About 45% of fatal motorcycle accidents are solo vehicle crashes. The most deadly injuries are head and chest injuries, and injury severity and likelihood of a fatality generally increases with speed, alcohol involvement and motorcycle size.
Q. What can I do if I was injured because of a defect in my motorcycle?
A. If a manufacturing defect in a motorcycle caused your injuries or a loved one’s death, you may have a claim against the manufacturer of the bike. At Estey & Bomberger, if we represent you in your case, we will thoroughly investigate the accident and retain an expert to determine if a manufacturer is liable for your injuries. Important note: If you have been hurt, do not discard the damaged motorcycle. We will need to examine the motorcycle to see how the defect caused the accident.
Q. What can I do if a defective roadway or unmaintained roadway caused a motorcycle accident?
A. A small percentage of motorcycle accidents are caused by roadway defects, such as potholes or uneven paving. Roads, by law, are required to be safely designed and maintained. Road defects that cause serious accidents can include curves that are too tight, unevenly paved roads, missing signage, lack of maintenance or poor urban planning. At Estey & Bomberger, we have successfully brought claims against the state of California and other entities liable for accidents caused by improperly maintained or designed roadways. We retain a host of investigators and experts, including design experts, surveyors, illumination and warning experts to determine liability for a motorcycle accident.
Q. What is the main cause of death in motorcycle accidents?
A. Head and brain injuries seem to be the most common cause of death in fatal accidents. Not all head injuries are fatal, however. Tens of thousands more people suffer head injuries in motorcycle accidents each year, many very seriously. We have represented motorcycle accident victims with all kinds of serious injuries, including amputation injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, multiple bone fractures, and other catastrophic injuries.
Q. What should I do if I am involved in a motorcycle accident that was not my fault?
A. After your immediate medical needs are met, you should speak to a qualified motorcycle trial attorney experienced in motorcycle accident litigation. You may be entitled to substantial compensation from the party or parties responsible for your injuries. Your compensation may include damages for your bodily injuries, past and future medical expenses, lost wages, disability, rehabilitation and pain and suffering. A qualified attorney can help you obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Q. What should I do if a member of my family was killed in a motorcycle accident that was not their fault?
A. Although only two percent of registered vehicles are motorcycles, more than eight percent of fatal traffic accidents involve motorcycles. This means that, based on miles traveled, motorcyclists are 32 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than a passenger or driver of a car. The loss of a loved one in any accident is devastating. Although no monetary recovery could ever replace a loved one’s life, a wrongful death claim can bring a family compensation for loss of income and support, final medical bills, funeral expenses, and damages for pain and suffering. Depending on the circumstances of an accident, in cases where a loved one died in a fatal motorcycle accident, surviving family members may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim against the party responsible for an accident.
Q. Why do I need an attorney experienced with motorcycle accidents?
A. An attorney who rides understands that motorcyclists face unique risks that other automobile drivers do not consider, from slick surfaces to manhole covers, potholes, puddles and railroad tracks. A lawyer unfamiliar with motorcycle accidents may not be able to help you recover the maximum compensation for your accident. Stephen Estey, founding partner of Estey & Bomberger, LLP, has been riding and racing motorcycles for more than 30 years, and has a unique understanding of the challenges that motorcyclists face sharing the road with automobiles. Estey, and the law firm of Estey & Bomberger, LLP have helped hundreds of people injured in motorcycle accidents receive the compensation they deserve.
