Sideswipe Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles

Motorcyclists are more at risk of getting involved in sideswipe accidents than the average road user due to their small size. Whether you get sideswiped by a driver on the I-5, I-405 or the 110, you have legal rights as a rider. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles can explain these rights and explore your legal options for seeking fair financial compensation. 

Who Is At Fault in a Motorcycle Sideswipe Collision? 

The party who is at fault for a motorcycle sideswipe accident must pay for damages under California’s fault-based insurance system. After any type of motorcycle accident, the injured motorcyclist is responsible for proving fault. This can be a difficult burden to meet, especially since an insurance company will fight back to try to avoid liability.

It is possible for an insurance company or the courts to assign a percentage of fault for a sideswipe motorcycle accident to both parties. In this scenario, the injured motorcyclist’s financial recovery will be diminished by an amount proportionate to his or her degree of fault. This is known as the comparative negligence rule.

When Should I Contact a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

Insurance companies harbor biases against motorcyclists that can make it difficult to achieve a fair settlement. Hiring an attorney can ensure the protection of your rights throughout the claims process. Your lawyer can take steps to preserve strong evidence in your favor, such as hiring crash reconstruction experts. 

Then, your lawyer can build a compelling narrative around the evidence to prove fault and demonstrate the extent of your injuries. With help from the right attorney, you can maximize the outcome of your sideswipe motorcycle accident claim without the stress. 

For more information about how an attorney can help you after a motorcycle sideswipe accident in Los Angeles, contact Rose, Klein & Marias LLP for a free consultation.

What Is a Sideswipe Motorcycle Accident?

A sideswipe motorcycle accident describes the side of a car making contact with or striking the side of a motorcycle. These accidents happen most often in Los Angeles during attempted merges and lane changes. 

Common causes include:

• Distracted driving
• Texting and driving
• Keeping an improper lookout
• Failing to check blind spots
• Changing lanes without looking
• Failing to signal intent to change lanes
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Weaving dangerously in and out of lanes
• Driver impairment or intoxication
• Dangerous road conditions

A motor vehicle driver may drift into a motorcyclist’s lane or veer suddenly into the lane, causing a motorcycle sideswipe crash. These accidents may also happen while a motorcyclist is lane splitting, which is a legal maneuver in California.

Common Injuries From Motorcycle Sideswipes

When a motorcycle sideswipe occurs, the motorcyclist can easily lose control of his or her bike. This may lead to the motorcyclist crashing into other vehicles or fixed objects, losing balance and toppling the motorcycle, or getting pulled beneath a vehicle’s tires.

Motorcyclists can suffer severe and life-threatening injuries in sideswipe accidents:

• Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries 
• Facial and dental injuries 
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis 
• Internal injuries and organ damage 
• Road rash 
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Broken bones 
• Muscle strains and sprains 
• Crush injuries 
• Amputation injuries

Motorcyclists in California are highly vulnerable to serious and fatal injuries in motor vehicle accidents. Even if a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, the force of impact between the rider and a motor vehicle or the roadway can inflict a catastrophic level of damage.