Bakersfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Under California law, individuals who suffer injuries in motorcycle accidents have the right to seek compensation from the parties at fault for the crash. The May Firm represents those individuals in lawsuits and other legal actions seeking damages from those at-fault parties.

Targeting the at-Fault Parties

Every Bakersfield motorcycle accident case we take has unique facts and circumstances. At The May Firm, we bring fresh eyes to every representation, taking the evidence at face value and following it wherever it leads. Our mission: to figure out whose wrongful, dangerous conduct caused a motorcycle crash that injured our client.

We do not always reach the conclusions we expect.

Still, in many Bakersfield motorcycle wrecks, our investigation leads us to conclude that these parties owe damages to our client:

• The driver of the car or truck that collided with our client’s motorcycle;
• The employer of that driver, if the crash involves a commercial vehicle;
• A bar, restaurant, or social host that served alcohol to a minor, who then causes a motorcycle accident in Bakersfield;
• A local road agency that failed to design, build, or maintain roads safe for motorcycling, or failed to warn motorcyclists of known dangers that made a road surface unsafe for riding (such as construction projects that leave grooved pavement or gravel behind);
• The manufacturer of a motorcycle or motorcycle part, if a defect in its product led to a mechanical failure and a motorcycle accident.

As we said, our investigation of the causes of a motorcycle accident that injured our client doesn’t always lead us to the parties above. But, many do. Rest assured, however, that no matter who caused the motorcycle crash in Bakersfield that injured you or your loved one, our team has the experience and resources to identify them and to figure out how to make them pay what they owe.

Taking Legal Action for Compensation

The skilled, award-winning attorneys at The May Firm fight hard to ensure their clients receive compensation for injuries and losses caused by someone else’s wrongful conduct.

With the caveat that every case we take differs, our clients frequently have the right under California law to demand payment for:

• Medical costs involved in treating motorcycle accident-related injuries, and health complications that follow from them, including the expense of hospitalization, surgery, and medication.
• Non-medical costs that they would not have had to pay for had they not gotten hurt in a motorcycle accident;
• Lost wages and income resulting from their inability to work, temporarily or permanently, following a Bakersfield motorcycle accident;
• Physical pain, emotional suffering, and loss of quality of life and relationships resulting from the accident and the injuries they suffered.

In some cases, The May Firm can also make a successful argument to a California court to award punitive (or exemplary) damages to our client. Those damages aim to punish the party at fault for extreme or outrageous conduct that led to the motorcycle crash and our client’s injuries.

Skilled Representation Wherever a Case Takes Us

Many motorcycle accident cases we take at The May Firm get resolved through a negotiated settlement with the at-fault party’s liability insurance carrier. But we never assume that’s how a case will go. The lawyers at The May Firm prepare every case as if it will end up in a Kern County courtroom, being argued to a judge and jury.

By always preparing to advocate for our clients in court, we make sure that no matter what direction a case takes, we’re ready to put our best foot forward and make the strongest possible argument on our client’s behalf. Our opponents know that about us, which may help us settle so many of our cases for top-dollar results.

California has the most registered motorcycles of any state in the country, with over 800,000 bike owners. California’s beautiful weather and scenic destinations make it a popular area for motorcycle enthusiasts within the state and from abroad.

As a motorcycle rider, you face unique dangers and risks that are not experienced by occupants of passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders face the highest risk of death in an accident as they travel along the state’s busy roads.

With more traffic congestion and increased population across the cities and towns in California, this risk continues to rise. In just one year, an average of over 5,000 motorcyclists sustain fatal injuries in accidents across the U.S. Thousands more sustain serious injuries, and many motorcycle accident survivors have their lives changed forever due to their injuries.

California has strict rules when it comes to motorcycle helmets. Per statute, all riders and passengers on a motorcycle must wear an approved Department of Transportation helmet at all times. While experts recommend many other types of safety gear and equipment, the law only requires helmet use.

Like riders throughout the country, motorcyclists in Bakersfield face a variety of different risks while out on the road, including:

• Truck Drivers – Kern County, home to Bakersfield, has a reputation for its oil fields and connections to the oil industry. Many residents in and around Bakersfield work for the oil industry, including numerous oil tanker drivers. Oil tankers travel through Bakersfield and surrounding areas year-round. This high traffic of large trucks and semi-trucks carrying hazardous materials can pose a danger to motorcyclists that travel on the city’s main roads and interstates. Trucks sit high above the ground and have large blind spots, which can create a dangerous situation for a motorcyclist that travels alongside these massive vehicles. Truck drivers have a reputation as notoriously aggressive drivers and may have difficulty identifying a motorcycle rider nearby. This lack of awareness, combined with the size and weight of these vehicles, can have tragic consequences for a motorcyclist who experiences an accident due to these factors.
• Tourists – One of the main gateways to the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range, Bakersfield constitutes one of the largest cities that visitors and tourists will pass through as they make their way toward some of California’s most popular scenic destinations. For travelers coming from the West Coast or Southern California, Bakersfield forms a natural stop for those venturing to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, or Death Valley National Park. Tourists pose a particular risk to motorcyclists in this area in that many are not familiar with the area’s narrow and winding roads. Nervous motorists and a lack of awareness can put motorcycle riders at risk of being struck unexpectedly.
• Distracted Drivers – Bakersfield sees too many negligent distracted drivers at any given time of the day. Drivers occupied with their phones, gadgets, or other activities while behind the wheel leave motorcyclists vulnerable to their unexpected behaviors and maneuvers. Even a small drift out of their lane into the path of a motorcyclist can cause a deadly chain of events for riders who cannot avoid a collision or lose control of their bike as they attempt to steer clear of the impending danger.
• Hazardous Road Conditions – Roadwork, debris from trucks, and rockslides all constitute legitimate dangers when traveling in and around Bakersfield. These hazards that can appear on the road with little notice can catch motorcyclists and motorists off guard. Other motorists can pose a danger to the motorcycle rider by merging lanes with little warning or slamming on brakes suddenly. The road hazards pose a danger to the motorcyclist because they can make the road surface uneven, result in slippery conditions, or cause the motorcycle to lose traction and go out of control.
• Dangerous Weather – Bakersfield doesn’t get much rain or snow, but other weather conditions indicative of the area can create a challenge for motorcyclists and put them in danger as they travel near other vehicles on the interstates, highways, and other roads. Wildfires can happen in and around this area, which can drastically reduce visibility and make it more difficult for motorists to see a motorcyclist on the road. Windy weather can make the operation of a motorcycle a challenge. During windy conditions, a rider must maintain focus at all times, and any bump or threat from a nearby vehicle can easily throw a motorcyclist off course or the bike. Excessive heat can become a real problem for motorcycle riders, especially those in the proper gear to keep them safe. Jackets, long pants, boots, and helmets keep your skin and head protected from the elements but can also create an environment for heat exhaustion. Riders should avoid riding during high temperatures or take frequent breaks to avoid succumbing to the heat while on the road.
• Drivers Under the Influence – Drivers intoxicated by drugs or alcohol act unpredictably and can cause catastrophic accidents with a motorcyclist. These individuals have limited capacity to maintain focus, identify a rider, or react appropriately. Intoxicated bikers can cause sideswipes, head-on collisions, or rear-end crashes, which can prove fatal to a rider.

Too many motorcycle accidents occur in Bakersfield. Below, we discuss some of the most common types:

• Left-hand turns – When vehicles wait to make a left turn, drivers often have trouble identifying approaching motorcyclists. This often causes serious accidents when a driver proceeds through the intersection prematurely and cuts off a motorcycle’s path.
• Sideswipes – These accidents commonly occur in traffic on roads and highways. Car drivers often do not see a motorcyclist in their blind spots and will merge into traffic or change lanes without regard to the rider alongside them. This can cause a rider to fly off the bike and collide with another vehicle in the next lane or to lose complete control of the bike.
• Head-on collision – These accidents constitute the deadliest type of motorcycle crash, and motorcycle riders and passengers rarely survive these types of accidents. This can happen when a driver drifts into oncoming traffic due to distractions or because of intoxication by alcohol or drugs.
• Rear-end crashes – This type of motorcycle accident will often happen when a rider stops at an intersection, stop sign, or traffic light. The motor vehicle driver can fail to stop in time and strike the rear wheel of the motorcycle. This can cause traumatic and potentially fatal injuries as a motorcyclist moves away from underneath the rider.
• Loss of control – Unlike a vehicle that can remain upright at all times without effort, a motorcycle rider must maintain balance and control throughout the ride. Any perception of a threat or unexpected action by another driver on the road can cause a motorcyclist to lose control of the motorcycle and crash into nearby vehicles, structures, or other objects.
• Intersection crossing – Intersections constitute a dangerous location for motorcyclists. Vehicles come from all directions, and riders must trust their instincts as well as the actions of the surrounding motorists to proceed safely through an intersection or make any necessary turns. Negligent drivers who go too fast for road conditions, run red lights, or attempt to overtake a motorcyclist can cause a motorcycle accident.

Motorcycle injuries can often prove fatal, and for those motorcyclists that survive a motorcycle accident, the recovery and rehabilitation can prove painful and long–term. For some motorcycle riders, their lives may never go back to how they were before the accident, and they may never ride again or function as they did before the accident. Injuries related to a motorcycle accident can cause delays, loss of function, motor skills, and other impacts that will affect not only your physical health but also the overall quality and enjoyment of your life.

Common motorcycle-related injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Road rash
• Injuries to the spine
• Broken bones
• Internal trauma

When people think of motorcycle accidents, many blame the reckless behaviors and driving of a motorcycle rider. However, in reality, most motorcycle crashes result from the actions of other drivers. Negligent actions by another party more often than not result in a vehicle or truck that illegally moves into the right of way of motorcyclists and causes an accident.

In many of these situations, a motorcyclist has little time to avoid a collision or may not even realize the danger coming toward them. This can lead to traumatic or fatal injuries and constitutes a big reason why motorcyclists face a risk of dying in a crash up to 29 times higher than another vehicle driver or passenger.

Negligent causes of a motorcycle accident can include:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving while distracted
• Fatigued truckers or other drivers
• Reckless and aggressive driving
• Speeding by other drivers
• The inexperience of a driver
• A parked motorist that unexpectedly opens a door into the road
• Defective motorcycle or part

Determining liability after a motorcycle accident often proves complicated and may require the assistance of a motorcycle accident lawyer that can fiercely protect your rights and fight against the insurance companies and at-fault parties involved. Insurance companies will do everything in their power to reduce or eliminate the compensation owed to you. When it comes to motorcyclists, insurance companies will quickly apportion fault disproportionately or assume that the motorcycle rider bears liability even when the evidence may clearly indicate that the driver bears some or all of the fault.

You want an advocate on your behalf throughout the process that can calculate your damages and how much compensation you will need to cover the full cost of your injuries. Damages in a motorcycle accident can include various losses beyond just your medical expenses due to your injuries.

Common damages in a motorcycle accident include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Future lost wages
• Future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Impacts on quality of life
• Wrongful death of a loved one
• Loss of companionship
•  

We should note that, in California, if a motorcyclist sustains injuries in an accident and does not have a state-required insurance policy, the motorcyclist cannot seek non-economic damages, regardless of fault. Under the law, the biker will only qualify to pursue the actual economic damages suffered from the accident, such as lost wages and medical expenses.

In California, state law limits you to only two years from the date of the accident to file a claim or lawsuit for injuries and damages you have sustained against the responsible parties. Failure to file within the time indicated by the statute of limitations will bar you from seeking compensation for your losses. If you or a loved one sustains injuries in a motorcycle accident, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your accident. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Bakersfield can evaluate your case and advise you on the best course of action for your specific situation. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney for a free evaluation to discuss the specifics of your case.