Disclaimer: *Steve and Rich Barnes have obtained millions in recoveries for their clients and have supervised over $2.5 Billion Dollars in settlements.
Written by The Barnes Firm, reviewed by Richard Barnes
Rich Barnes
President
With beautiful weather year-round, California highways and roadways contain more motorcycle riders than any other state. Over 800,000 residents are registered with a motorcycle license. With over 27 million licensed drivers in the state of California, roadways in Oakland and the Bay Area can be a dangerous and treacherous place for motorcyclists, especially if drivers aren’t willing to share the road with motorcycles.
Depending on the cause of a motorcycle accident, crash victims can suffer a broad range of injuries. Many motorcycle accident victims in Oakland and the Bay Area have trusted the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm for help. As one of America’s largest injury law firms, our personal injury lawyers have helped California residents through the stressful and challenging aftermath of a motorcycle accident for many years. Call The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation.
Every year in the state of California, 12,000 motorcyclists are injured and more than 500 are killed in motorcycle accidents. After a motorcycle accident, it is critical to have an experienced attorney on your side. Why? Insurance companies will often lowball motorcycle accident victims to pay out fast. Our trusted team of Oakland motorcycle accident attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience dealing with insurance companies and motorcycle accident cases. Your attorneys will fight for you and work hard to help you get the best result possible. The team of dedicated motorcycle accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm will review your case for FREE and answer any questions you may have regarding your claim.
“I am an experienced litigator with practice area expertise in personal injury, medical malpractice and employment related matters. Insurance companies will do everything they can to minimize what you deserve. Part of my job is to build your trust and eliminate the stress involved in making your claim or in pursuing litigation. I have settled and tried cases in excess of one million dollars. However, no matter what the value of your claim is, I remain committed to you and your case.”
Motorcyclists are often stereotyped as unsafe and reckless drivers. At The Barnes Firm, our team of Oakland motorcycle accidents lawyers know that the drivers of cars and trucks, not motorcyclists, are the cause of most motorcycle crashes involving more than just the bike. Drivers of vehicles should use extra caution when sharing the road with motorcycles. If a motorcyclist and/or passenger on a motorcycle is hit directly by another vehicle it’s very likely that they will sustain severe injuries because they are not protected by a vehicle frame. Motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in a traffic collision and five times more likely to be injured in a traffic collision, mainly due to lack of protection.
Even when motorcyclists follow the rules of the road, motorcycle accidents can still happen. The experienced team of motorcycle accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm have found that the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Our Oakland motorcycle accident attorneys have experience investigating and building strong injury claims after a motorcycle crash.
Lane splitting by motorcyclists in California is legal. Lane splitting is the practice of driving between rows of stopped or slow-moving traffic. Lane splitting helps reduce traffic on busy Oakland roads but can be dangerous to motorcyclists. Other drivers must be even more aware of motorcyclist’s lane splitting to avoid causing a motorcycle accident. It is illegal for drivers to purposely block or impede a motorcyclist in a way that could cause harm to the rider such as opening a vehicle door to impede a motorcyclist.
Motorcycle accident injuries can affect many areas of the body. Motorcycle accident victims will often sustain more serious injuries because motorcyclists and passengers are left more exposed to the road and to the weather/elements. At The Barnes Firm, our knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorneys have handled cases involving the following motorcycle accident injuries:
Lower extremity injuries. Lower extremity injuries are the most common injury sustained in a motorcycle accident. This is because a rider’s legs are not protected by a frame/are exposed and often the motorcycle will fall on a rider’s legs during a crash. The most common lower extremity injuries include broken or fractured bones and road rash. Broken bones often require surgery or physical therapy to heal and can leave a motorcyclist with life-long difficulty walking.
Road rash. Road rash is another common lower extremity injury that can happen in a motorcycle accident. Road rash happens when a motorcyclist’s skin slides across the road. Road rash can lead to scarring and disfigurement.
Head injuries. California law requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear a helmet. Even with a helmet, head injuries are still very common in Oakland motorcycle accidents. Head injuries can result in serious, and sometimes fatal or debilitating brain damage. Head injuries can also cause brain swelling, headaches, seizures, and disorientation.
Internal injuries. Internal injuries after a motorcycle accident can include internal bleeding or organ damage. Internal injuries can be harder to detect. These injuries usually require surgery and medical treatment.
Spinal Cord Injuries. Due to a driver’s exposed back when riding a motorcycle, spine injuries are common. These injuries affect one of the most significant structures found in the nervous system. An injury can often have catastrophic repercussions such as paralysis or nerve damage. Those who’ve suffered a spinal injury may undergo several different surgical procedures to help correct the injury.
Upper Extremity Injuries. When a rider is ejected in a motorcycle crash, upper extremity injuries are very common. This includes any injury to a rider’s shoulders, arms, or elbows.
Proper protective gear can help reduce the severity of injuries in a motorcycle crash. Even with proper protective gear, motorcycle riders and passengers can experience serious injuries in an accident. Our team of experienced Oakland motorcycle accident lawyers will work to build a strong case to help you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.
After a motorcycle accident, many motorcyclists don’t know where to turn. The trusted team of motorcycle attorneys at The Barnes Firm are available to answer any questions you have after a motorcycle accident. If you’ve been involved in, or witnessed, an Oakland motorcycle accident, we recommend the following:
In Oakland and the Bay Area, you can trust that The Barnes Firm will help you get the best result possible for your motorcycle accident case. Our experienced and successful attorneys know how to fight large insurance companies and win.
After an Oakland motorcycle accident, you must file your claim within two years of your accident or injury discovery. If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle accident, the team of attorneys at The Barnes Firm is here to help you get the best result possible. We are available 24/7 to help answer any questions you have regarding filing a motorcycle accident claim in California.
The compensation you receive after a motorcycle accident depends on the severity of your injuries. Whether you experienced minor or severe injuries, our Oakland motorcycle accident attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help you get the compensation you deserve. We have recovered the following damages for victims of motorcycle accidents in Oakland:
The experienced team of motorcycle accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm will investigate, identify, and calculate your damages after a motorcycle accident to assure you are compensated for all your damages.
As one of America’s largest injury law firms, The Barnes Firm has represented many clients injured in motorcycle accidents and has helped them get the best result possible for their case. Before talking with insurance, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at The Barnes Firm.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Oakland, contact a trusted motorcycle accident attorney at The Barnes Firm. We can help with any questions you have on how to file a motorcycle accident claim in California.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, construction accident, or have suffered another type of personal injury contact our team today.
Free Case Evaluation or call us: (800) 800-0000Client Reviews
The Barnes Firm was very friendly, always quick to respond to our calls, emails. When we had any questions or concerns they were there to walk us through everything. Would definitely recommend them to anyone that is looking for an attorney that will honestly fight for you and has your best interest in mind.
Most people have never needed a lawyer when they find themselves injured and in need of legal advice. We hear the following questions from many of our clients. We hope the answers help clarify your options and considerations.
Every motorcycle crash is unique and will have different factors to consider. According to the NHTSA, most accidents are caused by a car or truck driver. The main reason is that the driver does not see the motorcycle rider. Sometimes, the cause of a collision is a parts manufacturer. It is rarely the fault of the motorcycle driver, contrary to popular belief.
Many reasons can lead to motorcycle accidents. The core issue is negligence. Whether it is another driver, a government agency, or a product manufacturer, it is likely a third-party lawsuit. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes include:
The cause of the accident will also determine liability issues. The cause determines the responsible party and, therefore, the recovery options.
The NHTSA reports there are more than 5,000 motorcyclists killed in collisions across the U.S. That accounts for 14% of total traffic fatalities for the year. There were 565 motorcyclist deaths in California in a recent year. For comparison, California car accident deaths were about 4,000 for the same reporting year.
Motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere. Often, they occur on highways where traffic is moving fast. The most dangerous counties for motorcyclists in California include:
The following intersections are also some of the most dangerous in California for collisions:
There are 8.3 million registered motorcycles nationwide. Every year, this number increases. There are 89,000 collisions involving these motorists. That is equivalent to 1% of registered motorcyclists being involved in collisions. About 25% of motorcycle crashes are the rider’s fault. This number can range by area and year.
You can seek payment for pain and suffering in a motorcycle accident settlement. The amount will depend on the severity of your injuries and if you will suffer long-term impacts. It is calculated by taking your economic losses and multiplying them. These damages are often awarded in cases involving permanent injuries or disability.
The civil process can vary depending on the circumstances of your case. You will have to handle insurance claims and the court. The more complex the civil case, the longer it will take to resolve the claim. It can take weeks or months for a settlement. However, a lawsuit can take a year or more in some instances. Issues that can lengthen case time include liability and insurance.
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"Cody Christiansen, with "The Barnes Firm", and his legal team provided outstanding legal services. Their resources, negotiation skills and knowledge is far beyond expect...
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"My attorney Landon Vivian did so well on both of my cases I’m very appreciative of his team and the hard work he did I definitely will recommend him to anyone that nee...
"Contacting The Barnes Firm was the best decision I ever made when I had a car accident. Not only medical bills were attended to but also the settlement they negotiated f...
"Landon really helped me out with my case, and got me a huge pay out . I would definitely recommend him again ! Very happy with this firm thanks again for the hard work t...
"Couldn’t have asked for the best support… would like to express how grateful I am to Jade and Landon they are such a great team, they care about their clients and ab...
"Jade Mann and Landon Vivian handled my case and they were great! Working with them relieved a lot of the stress of dealing with the aftermath of an accident. I had never...
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"I am so happy with my payout and resolution. Everyone at the Oakland office of The Barnes Firm was helpful, polite, and kept me informed. I was very comfortable working ...
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"I was totally amazed as to how thorough and professional the Barnes Lawyers were. The team was led by Cody Christiansen. I was treated not as a client but as a member of...
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"Attorney Corinne Brophy (at The Barnes Firm) handled my case with kindness and swift efficiency."
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