Highway 1, or the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), is world famous for providing a first-class tour of California’s coastline. But it also runs up the western edge of Los Angeles County, carrying motorcyclists from Long Beach, past Los Angeles International Airport, and into Pacific Palisades.
There’s little relaxation to be found on this busy, stop-and-go section of the PCH. In fact, riders may face real danger at any moment along Highway 101. A distracted driver may cause a devastating impact with a motorcyclist and send the rider to the emergency room with a traumatic injury.
Once injuries have stabilized, an injured victim will have to consider just who will be held responsible for the incredible costs of recovery.
Contact a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review
If you or a loved one are hurt in a motorcycle collision on Highway 1, you’ll quickly find out that the at-fault driver’s insurance company isn’t there to make your recovery easier. They may not even admit that their policyholder caused your accident, despite a police report that clearly assigns blame.
Insurance adjusters also hope you don’t know what your injury is actually worth. But when you contact Maison Law of Los Angeles for a free and confidential motorcycle accident case consultation you can quickly get an honest appraisal. You’ll learn about every benefit available to you and your family so you can begin your battle with insurance adjusters on an even playing field.
L.A. Highway 1 Motorcycle Accident Hazards
Most motorcyclists on Highway 1 will have the experience to avoid many of the mistakes that Los Angeles drivers make. But sometimes heavy traffic leaves riders with no way to escape when a motorist switches lanes without checking mirrors. They may also have little warning that a driver is coming up behind their motorcycle too fast before they get rear-ended.
Intersections are also problem spots for all people who travel by motorcycle. Highway 1 is different from the many freeways that cut through Los Angeles. Interstates are controlled-access and only have on-and-off ramps without intersections.
Highway 1 isn’t separated and travelers encounter hundreds of intersections with other roads with traffic lights and stop signs. You’ll also see plenty of driveways dumping right out onto Highway 1 on your next motorcycle trip.
These intersections all mean that drivers will have to make turns or pull out in front of motorcyclists and that’s always a dangerous proposition for riders.
Two common scenarios caused by inattentive drivers often expose a rider to broadside or head-on collisions with cars, SUVs, and big rigs.
- Vehicle turning left – Drivers preparing for a left-hand turn across on-coming traffic on Highway 1 sometimes get “tunnel vision.” They can see a line of cars and trucks pass, but without focused attention, they don’t see the smaller profile of a motorcycle approaching as they hit the gas to make a turn.
- Vehicle entering a roadway – This is when a driver is pulling out onto a highway or street to cross or turn onto the road. When motorists aren’t focused, they can miss a motorcycle coming from either direction on Highway 1. They pull out in front of the riders and leave the full length of the vehicle for them to avoid.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident Along Highway 1
A bad driver may be to blame for your motorcycle collision, but it won’t always be an open and shut case. Insurance companies will still try everything they can to deny blame for their policyholder.
The best thing a Los Angeles motorcycle accident victim can do is to come to the negotiating table with plenty of strong evidence in hand. If your injuries will allow, you should try to document as much proof on the scene of your collision.
Try to collect these details after a Los Angeles motorcycle collision:
- Dial 911 and inform LAPD officers or the California Highway Patrol about everything you observed before the accident. Let them know if you saw the driver holding a cellphone or driving recklessly. Officers will be writing up a collision report that will serve as evidence for your case.
- Get every injury checked out by paramedics and go to the emergency room if necessary. If you must leave the scene, ask someone with you or a helpful witness to take some photos for you.
- Get cellphone images at the scene. Show the car that hit you, the damage to your motorcycle, and any visible injuries. Show yourself with a helmet if you were wearing one. Take pictures of any visible injuries.
- Get contact information from witnesses.
- Get checked out by your own doctor. Follow recommendations the doctor makes including going to physical therapy and visiting specialists.
- Hang on to your damaged motorcycle. Keep any damaged clothing and personal items. Don’t wash bloody clothing.
If you have an experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer, your lawyer will be fully investigating what happened. A skilled attorney will also have developed great negotiation skills and will handle insurance company interactions so you can focus on healing.
A motorcycle accident attorney can also file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a family that’s lost a loved one in a motorcycle collision. The lawyer would seek support for the family to pay for a burial for the victim. A wrongful death claim also asks for money for the future when family members will be without the guidance and income the deceased would have provided.
Contact a Los Angeles Highway 1 Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Take advantage of a free case consultation from Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law. This motorcycle accident case evaluation comes with no obligation to you or your family. Make sure you are treated fairly and receive the support you need to fully recover and get back on your motorcycle again.
And if you decide you’d like Maison Law to handle your accident claim, you won’t need any money now. The attorneys at Maison Law are paid only if they win your case for you.
