Santa Cruz Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Over the years, the streets of Santa Cruz have become more and more congested. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles all flood the streets as people try to get around the city. Everyone on the road faces some degree of risk, but for motorcyclists, it is the greatest. With only a helmet to protect them, motorcyclists are extremely exposed while they are on their bikes, and if they are involved in a crash, they will sustain some of the most devastating injuries. A motorcycle accident will not only result in painful injuries, but you will suffer other financial losses, as well. Our Santa Cruz motorcycle accident lawyer can help you file a claim so you obtain the full damages you deserve.

Motorcyclists have little protection while they are on the road. They do not have the benefit of airbags, a steel frame surrounding them, seat belts, or other safety features. Due to this, when other motorists act negligently, or carelessly, bikers become seriously hurt. The most common acts of negligence that cause motorcycle accidents include:

• Improper lane changes
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Inexperienced drivers or bikers
• Reckless driving
• Poor visibility
• Unsafe weather conditions
• Defective or malfunctioning motorcycle parts
• Improper turns

Lane splitting occurs when a biker rides their motorcycle between two lanes of traffic. Usually, this is done in stopped or slow-moving traffic and allows the biker to move through congested areas more easily.

When a motorcyclist was lane splitting at the time of the accident, the liable party often uses this fact to shift the blame to them. They typically claim that lane splitting is dangerous, and so, the biker is at least partly to blame. In order to protect your rights, it is important to know what the law says about lane splitting.

California is the only state in the nation that specifically allows lane splitting. Other states clearly state that it is against the law, or they have simply excluded lane splitting from their statutes. In 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 51 into law, which allowed lane splitting in the state. Due to the fact that lane splitting is not illegal, bikers cannot be held liable for it unless they engaged in another type of negligent act that caused an accident.

Lane splitting is just one of many defenses liable parties use after a motorcycle accident. Our Santa Cruz motorcycle accident attorney can refute these claims so you obtain the full and fair settlement you are entitled to.

If you have been hurt in a crash, do not file your claim on your own. At Brod Law Firm, our motorcycle accident attorney in Santa Cruz can advise you of your rights and make sure they are protected at all times so you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case.