Motorcyclists may choose Wilshire Boulevard as the best route down to Santa Monica for a ride in the ocean air. Or they may be heading to work in downtown Los Angeles.
Wilshire Boulevard can provide the sights and thrills to make a ride interesting, but it also forces riders to monitor reckless drivers on narrow lanes. Inattentive and downright dangerous drivers send even the most experienced motorcycle riders into devastating accidents.
Once a serious injury has occurred, riders should be free to focus on healing and eventually returning to their bikes. A skilled Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can handle the frustrating parts of an injury claim. This includes demanding full compensation from a guilty driver’s insurance company. Victims should contact Maison Law after a Wilshire Boulevard motorcycle accident for a free legal consultation to go over every option.
Motorcycle Accident Dangers on Wilshire Boulevard
Riders on Wilshire Boulevard can have construction lanes on one side and sturdy cement medians on the other. It leaves no room to maneuver when distracted drivers neglect to monitor for motorcycles around them. A motorcyclist can quickly have to choose between absorbing an impact from a car or running up on a curb.
This is just one of the hazards on this busy 16-mile stretch across Los Angeles. Careless drivers on the “Miracle Mile” can turn in front of oncoming motorcyclists and say they simply couldn’t see the smaller profile of the motorcycle. This is just another way of saying they didn’t take the time to really look.
Some drivers on Wilshire’s glitzier stretches will have the money to hire lawyers to get them out of the blame they should be taking for causing a motorcycle accident. Riders must have their own Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident attorneys to protect their interests and make sure they aren’t unfairly blamed for an accident.
Common Injuries After Wilshire Boulevard Motorcycle Accidents
The question of who should be paying for your medical bills is incredibly important in motorcycle accidents. Riders can be thrown from their bikes and suffer traumatic injuries from impacts with the pavement and from other vehicles.
These are some of the most common injuries that doctors who work in the Los Angeles Community Hospital emergency department have to treat after motorcycle accidents:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – A brain injury can be something as mild as a concussion or something with much more traumatic consequences. A TBI can cause seizures, blurred vision, and memory issues among other symptoms.
- Fractured limbs – Motorcyclists may try to cushion a fall in a Los Angeles motorcycle accident by throwing their hands and feet out. This can lead to broken bones in both the arms and legs. The skull, neck, spine, hips, and back can also fracture and threaten mobility.
- Road Rash – The skin’s contact with pavement causes severe damage to skin layers. Infections easily develop. A skin graft may be needed.
- Chest Injuries – An impact to the chest can break ribs, the breastbone, and the collarbones.
- Organ Damage – Damage to the chest can threaten harm to the lungs and heart. Impacts to the back can hurt kidneys and a side impact can damage the liver.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident on Wilshire Boulevard
With such devastating injuries possible, it’s vital that Wilshire Boulevard motorcycle accident victims seek compensation for their current medical bills. But an insurance settlement check should also factor in expenses that may be necessary in the future. This could include compensation over a lifetime when a permanent disability is suffered by the victim.
A Los Angeles motorcycle accident settlement must factor in the pain and emotional trauma victims must endure. The wages and benefits motorcycle accident patients miss out on while out of work should also earn compensation.
To maximize the settlement check you receive from a car insurance company, you’ll need the strongest evidence possible. The best evidence is often found on the scene of a Wilshire Boulevard motorcycle accident.
Call 911, and then once the scene is secure, try to gather as much proof of a driver’s mistake as possible:
- Tell LAPD or CHP officers everything you observed just before the accident. Alert them if the driver was looking at a cellphone or speeding. This information all goes into a collision report.
- Get checked out by paramedics and let them transport you to the hospital if necessary.
- Document the scene with pictures. Show the damage the car, SUV, truck, or big rig that hit you suffered. Take pictures of your crumpled motorcycle and your motorcycle helmet if you were wearing one. Take photos of any injuries that are visible and any damage to clothing.
- Talk to witnesses about what they saw. Get contact information so your Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorney can contact them for testimony.
- Exchange information with the at-fault driver but don’t make any statements, such as saying you aren’t injured or that the accident was your fault. You may not know the answer to either question. Swap basic information and then limit your interaction with the other drivers involved. Insurance companies can use any statement you make against you later.
- Keep any damaged clothing and personal items. Don’t throw evidence out. Hang on to your damaged motorcycle if possible.
Contact a Wilshire Boulevard Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accident victims and their families have up to two years to file an injury claim or a wrongful death claim against an at-fault driver. It’s smart to act as soon as possible after a Los Angeles accident. This gives your Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney the best chance to secure still-fresh physical evidence, security footage, and documents.
If you or a loved one are the victims of a careless driver, take advantage of a free case consultation from Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law. This evaluation comes with no obligation to you or your family. We only want to make sure you and your family are treated fairly and receive the support you need to rebuild your lives.
