Each year, more than 12,000 people are injured and 500 killed aboard motorcycles in California. Those tragically high numbers exist in spite of the fact that many motorcyclists and their passengers engage in proper safety precautions. (Only about 1 in 10 people killed on board motorcycles in this state were not wearing helmets.) In other words, even with protection, motorcycle accidents are often catastrophic or fatal. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, be sure you go out promptly and retain a skilled San Mateo injury attorney, who can help you make sure that you are taking action in a timely manner and getting everything to which the law says you are entitled.
A September crash here in this area is yet another somber reminder of how serious motorcycle crashes are. The precursor to the crash was a vehicle breakdown, according to a CBS SF Bay Area report. The disabled vehicle, a BMW car, was situated in the slow lane of westbound Highway 92 on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge in Foster City.
A group of motorcyclists who were also traveling westbound on Highway 92 came upon the broken-down vehicle. Two motorcyclists crashed into the BMW. One motorcyclist was thrown off his bike, over the side of the bridge and into the bay. He died as a result. The motorcyclist and a passenger aboard the second bike suffered major injuries, according to the report.
A disabled vehicle in the travel lane of a roadway is just one of many scenarios that pose particularly high risks to motorcyclists and their passengers. A collision with a disabled vehicle, which might be injurious if you’re in a car, truck or SUV, could be catastrophically harmful or fatal if you are aboard a motorcycle.
There are many possible ways that you could sue and succeed if you were hurt in a motorcycle crash like this one. For one thing, if the driver of BMW had the opportunity to pull the vehicle out of the travel lane but did not, then that could establish that the driver of the BMW was negligent. If you discover evidence that the vehicle had working flasher lights, but those lights were never turned on, that could also help your case. Furthermore, if you find proof that the disabled vehicle was not in safe working order prior to the breakdown and that the driver knew (or should have known) the vehicle was likely to break down but drove it anyway, that could also bolster your case.
Success requires knowing what proof your case requires
In any motorcycle accident case, there are several things you’ll need. You’ll need proof of how the accident occurred, including how it was the defendant’s fault. You’ll also need proof of the extent of your losses that the accident caused. One or both of these may trigger a need for an expert witness (or witnesses,) such as an accident reconstruction specialist and a medical expert (in an injury case) or an accident reconstructionist and an economic expert (in a fatality case.)
Whatever the specifics, an experienced attorney can help you assess the strength of your case, the value of your case and the evidence that will be required to succeed. When it comes to getting that kind of skillful legal advice and advocacy, rely on the knowledgeable San Mateo injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos. Our attorneys have been helping families harmed by motorcycle accidents for many years. To set up a free consultation with one of our helpful attorneys, contact us at 650-345-8484 or through our website.
A Fatal Accident in California is Another Reminder of How Severe Motorcycle Crashes Can Be
