SAN FRANCISCO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS

Bay Area Motorcycle Accident Injury Claims

Motorcycle accidents kill hundreds and injure thousands of riders in California every year. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are preventable, and are often caused by other negligent motorists who cut motorcyclists off in traffic, nearly run them off the road, or fail to yield when the biker had the right-of-way.

According to statistics from the NHTSA, motorcyclists are five times more likely to suffer injuries in a motor vehicle accident and 26 times more likely to die than the occupants of a passenger vehicle. The fact is: Drivers of larger vehicles tend not to see motorcycles; this negligence often results in accidents and injuries.

Negligent motorists often contribute to motorcycle crashes by:

• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Driving while distracted or intoxicated
• Making an unsafe lane change
• Opening car doors without looking
• Making an abrupt or sudden stop
• Turning into the path of a motorcyclist
• Failing to give riders enough space

At Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn, our motorcycle accident attorneys in San Francisco understand the dangerous situations that motorcyclists must commonly face. They have far less protection than passenger vehicles and are subject to much more devastating injuries. Let us fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve after another driver causes an accident that leaves you suffering from a serious injury.

Call Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn at (415) 940-7176 to discuss how we can help.

Overcoming Bias: Advocating for Motorcyclists' Rights

One of the challenges of a motorcycle accident claim isn’t proving that the other driver was negligent, but overcoming jurors’ negative perceptions of motorcyclists. A majority of jurors have no experience riding motorcycles and may view riders as "rebels" who accept the dangers of riding. As persuasive trial attorneys, we help jurors acknowledge that they may have a blind spot when it comes to recognizing motorcyclists’ legal rights. The result has been substantial verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured motorcyclists.

Is Lane Splitting Legal in California?

Currently, California is the only state in the U.S. that permits the practice of lane splitting.

In 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 51, legalizing the practice of lane splitting, which allows motorcyclists to pass other vehicles by riding between them along the lane line. The bill, authored by Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), helps define and establish clear rules on late-splitting to ensure safety on the road.

The legislation was drafted in response to the growing confusion and concern of lane splitting among motorcyclists and motorists in California. While lane splitting has been in use by motorcyclists for decades, it was unclear whether the practice was legal or illegal, thus falling into a controversial gray area.

AB 51 removes this gray area and hopes to reduce the number of lane-splitting accidents by allowing the DMV and the California Highway Patrol to create official safety guidelines for lane-splitting behavior.

Proven Success: Our Motorcycle Accident Case Results

Our lawyers are recognized for the results we obtain on behalf of our clients. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury, it is crucial that you choose an attorney with a proven record of success.

As an example, our firm was able to recover $8,750,000 in a wrongful death case on behalf of a family who lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident that was caused by an inattentive driver. In another case, our firm recovered $1,250,000 when a driver made a last-second lane change and struck the motorcyclist.

Attorney John Feder discusses a $8,750,000 recovery he obtained in a fatal motorcycle accident case.

Essential Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in San Francisco

• Get medical attention – Your first concern should be to check if you or anyone else is injured. Call for an ambulance if anyone is in need of medical treatment immediately.
• Do not try to move your motorcycle, unless keeping it there would be dangerous for you. It is often better to leave it where it is so police and investigators can accurately assess the scene.
• Gather important information – If you are able to, gather information that can help your claim, such as the other driver's name, insurance information, driver’s license number, and vehicle information. You should also collect names, addresses, and contact information from any witnesses.
• Take photos of the accident scene – Use a camera or your smartphone to take pictures of the scene of the accident, the damage to both vehicles, and if you can, of your injuries.
• Call a motorcycle accident lawyer – An attorney will be able to review your case and to determine if an insurance company’s initial offer is fair. Your lawyer can also assist with investigating the accident, filing your claim, negotiating with insurers, and even litigating your case in court if necessary.

Ready for a Free Case Evaluation? Contact Our San Francisco Motorcycle Crash Lawyers Today