Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

In recent years, the streets of Sacramento have become incredibly congested. Trucks, passenger cars, and motorcycles all flood the streets as people try to make their way around the city. Of all the people on the road, motorcyclists are at the greatest risk.

With little more than a helmet to protect them, bikers are very exposed when they are on the road and when they are involved in a crash, they are likely to sustain some of the worst injuries. If you have been hurt in an accident, you may be able to claim compensation to offset the financial cost of the crash. Our Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney can help you claim the full damages you justly deserve.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Sacramento?

Motorcyclists do not have the same protection as other motorists on the road. Without a steel frame around them, they have no protection from the forceful impact of a crash. Without airbags, seat belts, and other safety features, motorcyclists are at great risk when people act negligently, or carelessly.

The same negligent acts that cause car crashes on the road also cause motorcycle accidents. The most common of these are as follows:

• Speeding
• Improper lane changes
• Inexperienced drivers or bikers
• Distracted driving
• Reckless driving
• Unsafe weather conditions
• Poor visibility
• Improper turns
• Malfunctioning or defective motorcycle parts

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Sacramento?

Lane splitting is the act of a motorcyclist riding between two vehicles on the road, typically on the lane that divides different lanes of traffic. Typically, lane splitting occurs in slow-moving or stopped traffic. When a motorcyclist is lane splitting and is hurt in a crash, other drivers often try to shift the blame to the biker.

They argue that the motorcyclist was not safely operating their bike and so, they are to blame for the accident. It is important to know the law on lane splitting, so you can protect your rights. California is the only state in the country that allows lane splitting. Other states either strictly prohibit it or do not have any law that specifically addresses the issue.

In 2016, though, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 51 into law, making lane splitting legal in the state. As long as bikers are following the rules of the road, they cannot be found negligent for lane splitting. It is important to note that lane splitting is only legal when a biker is traveling between lanes of traffic that are moving in the same direction and they must comply with the lane-splitting speed limit, which is no more than ten miles an hour more than the speed of traffic.

Compensation Available After a Motorcycle Wreck

After being involved in a crash caused by another person’s negligence, you should not have to pay for your medical bills. You should also receive compensation for your lost income and other losses. Compensation in motorcycle accident claims is known as damages, and there are many different types you may be eligible for.

These include:

• Medical expenses, including doctor’s invoices, hospitalization stays, emergency room care, and more
• Physical and rehabilitation therapy
• Lost wages and reduced earning potential
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of services, including housekeeping and childcare
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability

Motorcycle Accidents Involving Food Delivery Drivers

Residents in Sacramento can get just about anything delivered to their door today. Of all the delivery services available, food delivery is one of the most popular. Services such as GrubHub and DoorDash provide a very convenient way for people to support local businesses and get food delivered right to their door. However, for DoorDash, GrubHub, and UberEats to provide these services, they need drivers on the road, which only adds to the congestion and the increased risk of accidents.

Making the situation even worse is the fact that food delivery services often do not place many requirements on their drivers. Typically, the only requirements are that drivers are of a certain age, have a valid driver’s license and that they carry auto insurance. Companies such as GrubHub and DoorDash often do not perform extensive background checks, which allows motorists with a poor driving record or criminal record to drive for these companies.

Just like other motorists, bikers can file a lawsuit after they have been involved in a crash with a negligent food service delivery driver. However, these claims are far more complex than those that involve other motorists. Although some food delivery services, such as DoorDash, provide their drivers with additional auto insurance, others do not.

GrubHub, for example, only requires its drivers to carry auto insurance. Due to this, the amount of compensation available after a crash will vary. In some instances, injured motorcyclists can also use the actual food delivery company. For example, if a company did not perform a background check on their drivers, it is very easy for a person to lie on their application.

Drivers may not have a valid license, or they may have a driving record filled with citations for traffic violations. Failing to perform a full background check on drivers is a negligent act on the part of the food delivery company, and it is just one of many that can cause serious motorcycle accidents. Any time a food delivery company is careless and that negligence results in a crash, injured bikers can file a claim against them.

Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Sacramento Can Help with Your Claim

Whether you have been hurt by a food delivery service driver or another motorist on the road, you need sound legal advice. At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney can provide it while helping you receive the full and fair settlement you are entitled to. After being injured on your bike, call us at (213) 985-1120 or fill out our free consultation form online to schedule a meeting with one of our attorneys and to learn more about how we can help with your case.