San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

At The Barnes Firm, we know that an unexpected motorcycle accident can turn your world upside down, especially after finding out how extensive your injuries may be immediately or over a period of time. Insurance companies will often make an unfair offer to motorcycle accident victims to pay out fast. After being involved in a San Francisco motorcycle accident, you will want a team of experienced attorneys on your side. Our team of motorcycle accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm will work hard to help you get the best result possible for your case.

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents happen frequently in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The injuries sustained by motorcyclists in these accidents tend to be more severe than those of a car or truck driver that hits them. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to injury on the road because they are not protected by a vehicle frame. When a motorcyclist accident occurs, the rider and passenger on a motorcycle are hit directly, which often results in severe injury.

At The Barnes Firm, our team of motorcycle accident attorneys will ask questions about the accident to identify if a vehicle driver was ignoring the laws and rules of the road. More times than not, distracted driving or not following the laws that govern roads can be linked to the cause of most motorcycle accidents. We have helped many clients injured in motorcycle accidents and found the most common causes include:

Left Turn Accidents. A driver making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcyclist is extremely dangerous. Vehicle drivers often fail to estimate the speed and distance of a motorcycle before turning, causing a motorcycle crash to occur.

Distracted Driving. Distracted driving causes over 1 million car accidents per year. Taking your eyes off the road, even just for a second, can cause a fatal accident. Distracted driving gives drivers less time to react. Given the smaller profile of a motorcyclist, delayed reaction time from a driver can cause a severe accident.

Speeding. Speeding endangers everyone on the road, but especially motorcyclists. A speeding car or truck requires more stopping distance. If a motorcycle stops suddenly and a speeding driver cannot slow down, it may result in a rear-end motorcycle accident.

Tailgating. Tailgating a motorcycle can lead to rear-end accidents. Drivers of cars and trucks should provide enough space between a motorcycle to avoid rear-ending them if traffic comes to a sudden stop.

Driving under the influence. Driving under the influence causes delayed reaction time and leads to impairments in vision and vehicle control. Motorcyclists have a higher chance of being hit by an intoxicated driver due to a smaller profile. All DUI related crashes are preventable.

After a motorcycle accident, you will likely be in a state of shock and may need medical attention. The most important thing to do is get to safety. Keep your protective gear on and move your motorcycle if you can manage on your own, or with the help of others, to avoid any additional accidents. After moving off the roadway, call 911 and request medical attention if necessary. Take photos of the accident scene, exchange information with the other driver, and request a copy of the police report before leaving the scene. Then, call The Barnes Firm and ask to speak with a motorcycle accident attorney. Our experienced attorneys will work hard to help you get the best result possible. Our successful San Francisco motorcycle accident attorneys have handled motorcycle accident cases involving the following injuries:

Traumatic brain injury or brain damage. Head injuries can cause concussions, brain swelling, or brain damage.

Spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries can often lead to nerve damage or paralysis.

Lower extremity injuries. Lower extremity injuries are the most common injuries in a motorcycle accident. These injuries often prevent a victim from being able to walk.

Broken bones & fractures. Broken or fractured bones can take several weeks or months to heal.

Road rash. Road rash can happen on knees, legs, elbows, forearms, and hands. Road rash can lead to scarring and/or infection if not properly treated.

The most severe injuries happen when the point of impact is located at the front of the motorcycle. Motorcyclists should always wear proper protective gear, including a helmet. California law requires all riders and passengers of motorcycles wear a helmet while riding. Even with proper gear, the results of a motorcycle accident can be catastrophic. Our team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have after being involved in a motorcycle accident in San Francisco or the Bay Area.