Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo, CA Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence in the Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo region. These areas are popular with motorcyclists, and with so many bikes on the roads, the number of collisions is high, and motorcycle accidents are a major safety and economic issue for riders in the Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo communities.

Get information on motorcycle crashes from the region's law enforcement agencies

The Santa Barbara Police Department(link is external), Santa Maria Police Department(link is external), and San Luis Obispo Police Department(link is external) offer information on accidents. 

The California Department of Motor Vehicles(link is external) provides information on traffic and safety laws.

These departments are good resources after a motorcycle crash.

Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo motorcycle crashes have common causes and devastating outcomes

While helmets and anti-lock brakes make motorcycling safer, riding a motorcycle is riskier than driving a car. Maintaining control is more difficult on two wheels, and when collisions happen, motorcyclists are at greater risk of serious injury or death because they don't have an enclosed vehicle or safety belts for protection.

The statistics on motorcycle crashes and fatalities are sobering

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety(link is external), the federal government estimates that per mile traveled in 2012 nationally, the number of deaths on motorcycles was more than 26 times the number in cars. Motorcycle deaths accounted for 13% of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2013.

Common causes of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo motorcycle crashes include:

• Vehicles turning left: Statistically, the most dangerous situation for a motorcyclist occurs when cars are making left-hand turns. These collisions account for 42% of all crashes between motorcycles and other vehicles.
• Head-on collisions: The vast majority of motorcycle crashes with cars occur when they collide head-on. These head-on crashes result in a higher fatality rate than other types of crashes.
• Lane Splitting: Lane splitting refers to when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of cars, usually in heavy traffic when car movement is slowed or stopped.
• Speeding and alcohol impairment: Statistically, approximately half of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes have speeding and alcohol use as factors.
• Crashes between motorcycles and stationary objects: Motorcyclists crashing with fixed objects result in 25% of motorcyclist deaths.
• Road hazards: Hazards such as potholes, icy conditions, uneven lanes, and debris in the road pose significant danger to motorcyclists.

When someone is injured in a Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, or San Luis Obispo motorcycle accident, what needs to happen next?

In an injury accident, it is crucial to get appropriate medical treatment, regardless of the financial cost.

The major hospitals in the area include:

• Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital(link is external);
• Santa Maria Family Medicine(link is external);
• Santa Maria Care Center(link is external);
• San Luis Obispo Surgery Center(link is external);
• Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center(link is external);
• French Hospital Medical Center(link is external).

As soon as possible, an injured person should contact their insurance company to find out how medical treatment is covered under their insurance policy. Since motorcycle insurance policies often have unique provisions, it is important to review the policy and speak with the insurance adjuster to get clarification on coverage.

When an accident is serious or fatal, get help from an experienced Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo motorcycle crash lawyer

When an injury is serious or a death occurs, the next step is to find an experienced Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo motorcycle accident attorney to start the financial recovery process by launching an insurance claim. Major injury or wrongful death claims are complicated and can be hard to manage without legal help. Having a Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo personal injury lawyer on board is a great relief to injured people, or to the family left behind when an accident proves fatal. Since personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency basis, meaning that there are no up-front costs and all fees are paid when the claim is settled, there is no downside to speaking with a Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo personal injury lawyer right away, to get help for an injured motorcyclist.