California Motorcycle Accidents: Your Ultimate Guide

More motorcycles are registered in California than in any other state. With so many bikes on the road, bikers – and drivers – must understand how motorcycle/car crashes happen.

This article examines the causes of motorcycle accidents in California and the common injuries associated with motorcycle collisions. It will explain how a San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer can help you with a personal injury claim after a motorcycle crash. 

How Common are Motorcycle Accidents? 

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are quite common. Nationally, the most recent data show that the number of fatal motorcycle accidents has increased steadily since 2021. The picture is similar in our state. After dropping sharply in 2020, the number of motorcycle accidents with injuries in California increased by 1,500 from 2021 to 2023. The number of fatal bike accidents also increased during this period. 

Locally, San Francisco and Marin County rank among the top cities in California for motorcycle crashes. In 2023, the San Francisco Police Department reported 72 motorcycle accidents. Fortunately, fewer than five percent were fatal. 

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in San Francisco?

Motorcycle accidents have many causes. Here’s a closer look: 

Driver Error 

A driver of a car is most likely to cause a motorcycle/car collision when they aren’t paying attention or aren’t able to stop in time to avoid a biker. Driver behaviors that can lead to these conditions include:

• Failing to yield the right-of-way to motorcycles (especially at intersections or when merging), 
• Misjudging a bike’s speed or distance, 
• Changing lanes without checking blind spots, 
• Failing to properly signal a lane change or turn, 
• Running a red light or stop sign, 
• Speeding, 
• Tailgating, and
• Driving while drunk, drowsy, or distracted. 

Other Causes

Sometimes, neither the driver nor the biker is at fault. If a bike or car’s brakes fail, the manufacturer may be responsible for the crash. Also, local, state, and federal agencies are responsible for designing safe roads and managing their upkeep. For example, if a pothole or a poorly maintained San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (“Muni”) track contributed to your accident, you may have a claim against the city. However, California has special rules about lawsuits against government agencies. For example, any claim against the government must be filed within six months of the accident. This is far sooner than the standard two-year statute of limitations that applies in non-governmental personal injury cases. A San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer can tell you more about these rules. 

Common Injuries in California Motorcycle Accidents 

Perhaps the most common ailment in motorcycle accidents is the scraping of the skin. These abrasions, commonly referred to as “road rash,” occur when skin is dragged over a rough surface, such as pavement. Most cases of road rash are easily treatable, but the most serious cases may require surgery and skin grafts. Because road rash carries a high risk of serious infection, even minor cases should receive immediate medical attention. 

Unfortunately, other motorcycle accident injuries aren’t so easy to address. Cars surround drivers and passengers in a metal casing. Cars also feature front and side airbags, as well as other safety measures. Few motorcycles offer these protections. So, when motorcycles and cars collide, the biker usually gets the worst end of the deal. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Concussions, 
• Spinal injuries, 
• Brain bleeds (intracerebral hemorrhage), 
• Collapsed lungs (hemothorax or pneumothorax), 
• Injuries to internal organs (e.g., spleen, liver), 
• Urogenital trauma, and
• Fractures of the facial bones, vertebrae, lower leg (tibia/fibula), forearm (radius/ulna), and skull. 

Understanding Responsibility and Fault in California

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in California, you have rights. To protect them, you’ll need to file a personal injury claim. You can win your claim if you can prove that the driver or motorcyclist who hit you was negligent. (This is a term lawyers use to describe careless behavior.) If you can prove negligence, you will be entitled to damages. Damages are money the courts award to injured people to reimburse them for accident-related costs and harms. Damages often cover expenses such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity. Damages can also provide money for non-economic injuries, such as pain and suffering. 

There is one other thing to consider about fault. California follows a rule called comparative negligence. The good news is that this rule allows you to recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident or your injuries. For example, California law requires that all bikers and passengers wear helmets while riding. Failure to wear a helmet can result in more severe injuries. While ignoring the helmet law is a bad decision, California law won’t stop you from collecting damages. 

However, there is a catch: If your actions contributed to your injuries, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury decides that your injuries are worth $100,000 and you were zero percent at fault, you will get the full amount. But if the jury decides your actions were 25 percent of the reason for the accident, your damages will be reduced by 25 percent. So, you’ll get $75,000 instead of $100,000. Your San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer can tell you more about how comparative fault might apply in your case.

How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident

You have rights after a motorcycle accident. A San Francisco motorcycle lawyer can help you protect these rights by 

• Investigating your accident, 
• Talking to insurance companies on your behalf,
• Hiring experts to explain the causes of the accident, 
• Making sure all court deadlines are met, 
• Negotiating a fair settlement, and 
• Representing you in court. 

If you need legal representation after a motorcycle accident or any other type of motor vehicle crash, contact Ribera Law. Our lead attorney, Sandra Ribera Speed, Esq., wants every client to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their legal rights are being handled with the highest levels of compassion and expertise. Schedule a free consultation by calling (415) 576-1600 or using our online contact form.