California is among the top three states with the most motorcycle accident fatalities. With more registered “hogs” on the road than in any other state, the odds of an accident are elevated. It’s no surprise that the Golden State has more bikers than anywhere else. Beautiful weather makes the open road inviting, but more motorcycles on the road mean more accidents involving these vehicles. Unfortunately, nearly 90% of such collisions result in injuries. Even worse, the risk of death is highly elevated among accident victims on motorcycles. If you or a loved one was involved in such an accident, you might be wondering how to move forward.

There are a few things that you could and should do. Your top priority should be seeking medical attention. Don’t let the fear of medical bills prevent this — as even seemingly minor injuries can turn dangerous if left untreated. Such care could involve an ambulance ride to an emergency room, or you might be able to simply take an Uber to the nearest prompt care to get checked out. You should also follow all your doctor’s instructions for follow-up care. This is important because it will protect your health, but it will also play an important role when you pursue compensation.

Once you’ve spoken with a medical professional, it’s time to reach out to a law firm with experience in motorcycle crashes. In fact, you can start with a free consultation at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices.

Injuries and Fatalities in Ventura Motorcycle Accidents

Of the many fatal accidents that have occurred near and around Ventura, certainly one of the most notable and tragic losses was that of astronaut Pete Conrad — the third man to ever walk on the moon. He was in a mountainous area in Ojai when he lost control of his motorcycle. We can learn a lot about the injuries that we see in motorcycle crashes from this incident. When you tell a family member that you ride, they likely mention gruesome accidents that require serious clean-up afterward. Fortunately, this is not always the outcome of motorcycle collisions. In fact, some folks walk away, having not even suffered bone fractures.

In some cases, though, appearances can be deceiving. Pete Conrad seemed to only have suffered only minor wounds after his accident, but his motorcycle crash injuries were found to be much more severe at the hospital. This is a common occurrence because bikers don’t have large hunks of metal (e.g., cars, trucks) protecting them. Just a moment of distracted driving from another driver can put riders at high risk for severe injuries or even death — which is why we so so many wrongful death cases related to such accidents.

In addition to understanding the potential damage from these accidents — which can include traumatic brain injuries and internal organ damage, even in low-speed incidents — it’s vital to consider the causes. While many motorcycle accidents are chalked up to reckless behavior on the part of the biker, this doesn’t come close to explaining all the causes of these incidents. Such collisions often occur simply because drivers don’t bother checking for motorcycles when changing lanes or pulling into intersections. It’s understandable that two-wheeled vehicles are smaller and more difficult to spot, but just a few extra moments on the part of the other party could prevent the biker from needing long-term medical care.

Of course, some of the most common causes of serious injuries are based on mistakes made by the rider. Actions such as lane splitting certainly present dangers, but failing to wear a helmet is also a major contributor to significant injuries and death. Fortunately, Ventura has laws that require motorcyclists to wear helmets. Even if you or a loved one wasn’t following the law when the accident occurred, though, it doesn’t mean you’re not entitled to recover compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other damages. Thanks to California’s comparative negligence rules, you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault.

Schedule a free consultation with the motorcycle accident lawyers at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices today to get more insight into the circumstances of your case. It costs you nothing to discuss your claim.

Fighting Motorcycle Accident Cases in Ventura

The unexpected and tragic can happen at any time, but so many of these motorcycle accidents are potentially avoidable. Drivers on the road tend to have a bias against motorcycle drivers. If they see a biker changing lanes on the 101 — even if they are doing so perfectly legally — they may think that that driver is endangering themselves simply by being on the freeway. This mentality often makes fighting these cases more difficult — especially when you have a jury potentially thinking the same thing. Motorcycle accidents present difficulties at trial, but an experienced personal injury attorney from Ventura can argue your case to a jury that may not inherently feel pity for riders.

Of course, juries aren’t the first group of people you should be concerned about after the accident. If you want your injuries, damages, and medical bills covered, you’ll typically look towards insurance companies before considering a personal injury lawsuit. Unfortunately, insurers will try their best to avoid paying out a fair settlement to motorcycle riders. This makes it imperative that you do not speak with an insurance company prior to getting a free case evaluation. One simple slip-up in your discussion — even an inaccurate statement caused by pain medications — can ruin your ability to receive maximum compensation.

Having a Ventura motorcycle accident attorney who knows what they’re doing can make all the difference in the world. An experienced law firm in the area will be familiar with local and state regulations. They’ll have dealt with the most common insurers used by drivers in the county. Additionally, your personal injury case will not be their first experience in the courtroom — assuming you work with trial lawyers like those at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices. Getting a fair settlement or successfully filing a personal injury claim can present hurdles, but with the right law firm on your side, you have a better chance of receiving fair financial compensation.

Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Ventura, CA

In most instances, you’ll need an attorney for your Ventura County motorcycle accident claim. Here’s why: insurance adjusters have years of experience and training in dealing with these cases. That training teaches them to always put the blame on you, the motorcycle rider, for causing or contributing to the crash. Their goal is to make sure that they pay as little as possible for your injuries and damages — regardless of which causes of motorcycle accidents led to your collision. The only way that you can protect yourself is by having a skilled and experienced trial lawyer who handles motorcycle crash cases on a regular basis.

You may have been offered a free consultation from an attorney who rides motorcycles, one who handled your divorce, or maybe one who got you out of a traffic ticket before. Unfortunately, none of these things qualify someone as a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer in Ventura. You need someone with experience dealing with insurers and handling litigation that can properly build your case. Whether you had a minor fracture that prevented you from working or suffered serious head injuries, free initial consultation from Murphy & Murphy Law Offices will help you better understand your situation.

Contact us today by calling (805) 330-3393 — and we’ll help you figure out the best way to move forward.