Riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car. Not only are accidents more likely to result in injuries, but bikers are also more likely to get into wrecks. Motor vehicle operators forget to look out for bikes and may not understand motorcycle laws, which allow bikers to do things that others on the road cannot.
When one of the parties is intoxicated, the risk of accidents and injuries grows. Operating a motorcycle requires coordination and care, so bikers need to be able to focus. When drivers are intoxicated, they are even less likely to notice bikers, respond quickly or slow down. If you have been injured in one of these accidents, you need a Sunnyvale drunk driving motorcycle accident lawyer. Reach out to work with one of our skilled motorcycle crash attorneys today.
Even the safest bikers are at risk when they get on their bike. Approximately four out of five motorcycle wrecks result in an injury or death, compared to one in five auto accidents. Directly comparing fatality rates reveals an even more dramatic difference—bikers are about 30 times more likely to die in a wreck.
More than one in four motorcycle accidents involve alcohol. This number is more significant than other type of motor vehicle collisions because impaired drivers are more likely to hit motorcycles, and impaired bikers are more likely to lose control of their vehicles.
Understanding those statistics should make people reconsider whether there is a safe level of intoxication for bikers. Like most other motorists, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08. However, the risk for a wreck doubles at around half that BAC. It may be a good idea for bikers to avoid any intoxication in order to operate their vehicles safely. Plus, a Sunnyvale attorney who handles drunk driving claims may want to look at BAC levels, even if someone was under .08.
Most people assume that the drunk driver is the one responsible for a drunk driving accident. That is usually the case. However, it is not enough to prove that the driver was intoxicated—a Sunnyvale lawyer has to prove that the intoxication led to the wreck and the injuries.
An attorney needs to look at causation. What factors contributed to the accident? How much did they contribute? These questions are critical in drunk driving accidents, particularly in California, which is a pure comparative negligence state.
In a pure comparative negligence state, a person can collect damages from the other party as long as the other party has at least one percent of the fault. The state does not limit recovery to parties who are 50 percent or less responsible for accidents. In motorcycle accidents, comparative negligence can be essential. The biker may have hundreds of thousands or even millions in damages. The ability to recover even a portion of those damages from another party can be essential to cover medical costs and lost wages.
Almost anytime a motorcyclist rides their bike, the risk of injuries is high. Protective gear like helmets, boots, gloves, and leather can help provide some protection. Still, they cannot prevent all injuries, especially in high-speed collisions. Those who walk away from the accidents are often the lucky ones, and they may still be facing a painful and lengthy recovery period.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are some of the most common severe injuries in wrecks. Most accidents will result in the biker’s head hitting the ground, which can lead to severe head injuries, even when the biker wears a helmet. Some injuries can cause lifelong disabilities and even death. Even mild TBIs can lead to lengthy recovery periods, as it can take weeks or months to resolve these injuries.
Other common injuries in Sunnyvale drunk driving wrecks include spine and neck injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries.
The aftermath of a motorcycle wreck can be traumatic. It is usually painful, traumatic, and expensive. The expensive nature of recovery can put tremendous pressure on a victim to avoid going to trial and take a lowball settlement offer.
The lawyers at Solution Now Law Firm focus on negotiating significant settlements for our clients so that you can get the money you need now. We assign a group of experts to every case, stay in touch with clients, and focus on meeting your needs. Schedule a consultation with a Sunnyvale drunk driving motorcycle accident lawyer to learn more.
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