You pulled out safely onto a Sacramento street, preparing to make a left turn at the next intersection. You bring your bike to a slow stop at the red light. When it finally changes, you rev up and begin pulling through the intersection turn when…you’re hit by a car who “didn’t see you.” You wake up in a hospital room. Medical bills are piling up, you’re out of work, and you almost died. How will you pay for it all?
Motorcycle accidents, especially those caused by negligent drivers, can be some of the most dangerous and traumatizing collisions on the road. These accidents can leave you in debt and without an income to help get yourself or your family back on their feet. That’s why if you’re hurt in a motorcycle crash in Sacramento, you need a successful and skilled motorcycle accident lawyer from BD&J.
Not sure if you have a case? Complete the form here to find out!
How often do motorcycle accidents happen in Sacramento?
Sacramento may not be a Los Angeles, but it’s still one of the major cities in California. As such, road accidents happen much more frequently than in other areas of the state. In 2022 in Sacramento proper, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported more than 4,000 traffic accidents resulting in injury or death. More than 200 were motorcycle accidents. In Sacramento County, 17% of all accidents involving injury or death in 2022 included motorcycles. The factors that often lead to such a large percentage of motorcycle accidents include speeding, driving under the influence, reckless driving or road rage, and failure to yield to motorcycles.
What kind of compensation can I receive for my injuries?
If you’re hurt in a motorcycle crash in Sacramento or you lost a loved one to a motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to tens of thousands of dollars in compensation or more. With a Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer, you’re even more likely to secure enough compensation to cover:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Trauma and therapy treatment
- Lost income
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Damage to your bike
- Pain and suffering
- And more!
When you hire a personal injury attorney for your motorcycle accident, you’re significantly more likely to recover greater compensation than if you try to make a claim alone.
Find out how much you could qualify for by completing the form!
What kind of injuries are most common in Sacramento motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious or fatal injuries. Our Sacramento motorcycle lawyers have seen a wide variety of injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Burn injuries
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Spinal injuries and paralysis
- Whiplash
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, you deserve a compassionate advocate who will aggressively fight for your rights. Schedule a free consultation 24/7 with BD&J!
What should I do after a motorcycle accident?
If you were just hurt in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait. Follow these steps to ensure your safety and to preserve your rights to compensation.
- Move to safety. Get yourself and your bike off the road safely, if possible. If you’re too injured to move or you can’t move your bike, stay where you are and call 911 immediately.
- Seek medical attention. When you call 911, request an ambulance to the scene of the crash. Never assume you’re “just a little shaken up” after a motorcycle accident. Not only are motorcycle accidents often severe, but injuries can often be masked by shock and adrenaline.
- Collect contact information. Make sure you get as much information as possible from the driver who hit you. If they speed off, try to recall their make, model, vehicle color, and license plate. Witness contact information is also important for supporting your claim.
- Call a trustworthy motorcycle accident attorney in Sacramento. There are dozens of well-known personal injury lawyers throughout California, but only a few are loyal and skilled advocates who won’t stop until you get a fair settlement or verdict. An attorney can also help you understand your rights and coach you on how to make your claim with the insurance company to avoid implying fault.
- Report your accident to the insurance company. Stick to the facts when speaking to the insurance adjuster as any apologies or claims that you weren’t being attentive on the road could be used to downplay your claim. A motorcycle accident lawyer can also ensure an adjuster doesn’t undervalue your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find a motorcycle accident attorney that will win?
Check the results on a potential lawyer’s website to ensure they take motorcycle cases like yours and have a history of winning significant compensation. If all their results seem low, they may settle early and lose you money. Read reviews from real clients as well to make sure you’ll be cared for the way you deserve. You don’t need to be treated like a case number; you should be treated like a human being in need of justice.
How much do motorcycle accident lawsuits usually get in Sacramento?
Motorcycle accident lawsuits can vary widely in compensation because not every collision is the same. The severity of the injuries, the lifelong prognosis, the amount of evidence, and the kind of negligence at play can all impact how much a hurt rider can recover in court. While there’s no hard-and-fast rule for what riders can expect to claim, in general, BD&J’s motorcycle accident attorneys recover anywhere from tens of thousands to millions of dollars for their clients.
Can I split the lane in California?
Yes! Lane splitting and lane filtering are both legal practices in California. That said, please take great care when doing so. Even if they are legal, you’re still responsible for ensuring it’s safe to split lanes. If you take precautions and another driver injures you while you’re splitting or filtering lanes, you could have a case.
Are motorcycles actually more dangerous than cars?
Motorcycles are more dangerous than cars in that the stakes are much higher while riding. Not only are riders lacking the same protection that car or truck drivers have, but they’re smaller and faster as well. This makes motorcycles harder to see on the road. It’s this that often gives riders the stereotype of being reckless or dangerous. In truth, few road users want to get into a wreck less than a biker. Where an accident may result in a broken bone or two for a car driver, a motorcycle rider could suffer life-threatening injuries.
Where do most motorcycle accidents happen?
Most motorcycle accidents occur in urban areas, on non-interstate roads. In fact, many crashes happen at intersections in cities and towns. While Florida remained the top state for motorcycle fatalities in the country, California was the third-most deadly in 2023, according to the National Safety Council.
How to Remain Safe While Riding a Motorcycle
Bikers are disproportionately involved in traffic accidents; while they only make up 3% of traffic, motorcycle riders accounted for 15% of fatalities. This number appears to only be rising year-over-year. Because of this, it’s more important than ever to keep yourself and others safe.
- Wear a helmet. It seems basic, but many riders neglect to wear a Department of Transportation compliant helmet on their bikes. Helmets can save lives by protecting against severe head trauma.
- Get a motorcycle license. Cars and motorcycles require vastly different skills to operate safely. That’s why it’s important to be properly trained and licensed in Sacramento before you start riding.
- Practice riding in a safe environment. Just like when you learned to drive a car, practice riding a motorcycle in a parking lot or on a quiet neighborhood street. Each motorcycle handles differently, so do this with each new bike.
- Don’t ride recklessly. While it can be exciting to ride your bike fast and weave around the street, doing so will only increase your likelihood of being involved in a dangerous accident. Avoid risky behavior.
Trust in Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Sacramento
The Sacramento motorcycle accident attorneys at BD&J know what it’s like to experience the pain and frustration of injuries on the road, because we’re bikers too. We’ve helped thousands of hurt clients in Sacramento and throughout California claim more than $2 billion* in compensation for injuries over the course of our 20-year history.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Sacramento, don’t rely on any old lawyer; trust BD&J with your recovery. Complete the form to get started!
