Recent statistics show that accidents involving motorcycles have increased. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported an 8% increase in motorcycle fatalities last year. Despite the implementation of the helmet law in most states, motorcycle accidents continue unabated.

In Los Angeles, crashes involving motorcycles have also become increasingly common. Among accidents involving motorcycles, these are the common types:

• Crashes involving car and trucks - These are common accidents in which the car or truck did not the motorcycle and turned straight into its path. Either, they collide with the motorcycle or being forced to swerve and crash.

• Rear-end collisions - Many accidents are caused by cars making rear-end maneuvers and crashed into motorcycles behind them.

• U-turn accidents - Car drivers who make unexpected turns crash into unsuspecting motorcyclists causing injuries.

• Road debris - These are potential hazards motorcyclists face every day: grease, motor oil, loose pavement, uneven concrete or blacktop surfaces, potholes, etc.

• Car doors opening unexpectedly - Car passengers fling the car door open without looking at the approaching motorcyclists, causing injury.

• Other accidents involving motorcycles may be caused by a car that pulls out of the side road, a car that hits a motorcycle while overtaking, etc.

Motorcycle riders are vulnerable to a number of injuries, ranging from bruises to serious injuries. Following are some of the injuries motorcycle riders are prone to suffer during crashes:

• Serious skin trauma (often called road rash)
• Torn ligaments
• Knee injury
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paraplegia and quadriplegia
• Serious head and brain injuries

To ensure the protection of your rights after a motorcycle crash, you need to do the following actions:

1. Stay calm and contact law enforcement.
2. Record necessary information related to the negligent party. This includes full name, driver's license number, vehicle identification number, address, insurance company name and policy number, vehicle description and location of the accident scene. If possible, take pictures of the damaged vehicle and the motorcycle as well as the scene of the accident.
3. After obtaining the information, contact your lawyer.
4. Avoid making any statements in the absence of the experienced motorcycle crash attorney. Motorcycle crash lawyers know the different motorcycle types and their vulnerabilities to crashes. They are familiar with motorcycle crashes of each type.

The types of personal injury cases that motorcycle accident lawyers and attorneys handle consist of, but are not limited to:

• Rear end accidents
• Left turn collisions
• Running stop signs
• Running red lights
• Speeding
• Drunk drivers
• Out of control motor vehicles
• Unsafe lane changes
• Broadside collisions

In order to ensure that your rights will be protected in case of motorcycle accidents, an accident lawyer who specializes in motorcycle crash cases can help you undergo the complex procedures of claim. The skills and experience of a motorcycle crash lawyer can help you speed up the process of recovery from injury and damages.

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