When most people think about motorcycle accidents, they think of collisions between a vehicle and a motorcycle, or the motorcycle colliding with an object. But motorcycle accidents occur in many different ways virtually anywhere on the road in San Francisco. In fact, one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents happens at intersections. Intersections are extremely busy, with both pedestrians and other cars to watch out for. Thus, these create obstacles and hazards that frequently lead to motorcycle accidents.

Being in a motorcycle accident brings with it many uncertainties. Whether it be injuries and medical treatment, bills, other financial stresses, or simply not being able to ride your motorcycle again, these accidents can have far-reaching implications for your life. That’s why it’s important to understand your rights and what you need to do if you find yourself in one of these unfortunate accidents.

Contact MJQ Law Today For a Free Consultation

At The Law Offices of Matthew J. Quinlan, our team of experienced San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyers can help you through this trying time. Not only can we explain your full range of legal options, but we can also provide you with the support and validation you need to see your claim for damages through to the end. Your health and recovery should always be your top priority, so let us take the burden of an injury claim off your back. To get started with a free consultation, contact us today.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in San Francisco?

Because motorcycle accidents are often severe and lead to serious injuries, there has been much data and research into them. Part of this data is compiled by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and tracked in the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). According to this data, the following number of motorcycle accidents occurred in San Francisco over the past five years:

• 68 in 2017
• 72 in 2018
• 69 in 2019
• 66 in 2020
• 82 in 2021

This averages out to 71.4 accidents per year. Moreover, a majority of these accidents occurred in the more crowded areas of San Francisco, such as the Mission District, Downtown, and Richmond District. While this data shows that motorcycle accidents are quite common in San Francisco, it also underscores the importance of knowing what to do if you find yourself in one of these accidents.

What Should I Do If I’m In a Motorcycle Accident at an Intersection in San Francisco?

The problem with motorcycle accidents–and any other car accident, for that matter-is that you may still find yourself involved in one despite your best efforts to avoid them. Driving safely and carefully while following the rules of the road is always your best option for avoiding an accident, but unfortunately, you can’t account for the actions of other drivers or pedestrians. Thus, when an accident happens, it’s best to take the following steps:

• Get to safety and check your injuries – Before anything else, make sure to get to safety along the side of the street or road. Once you’re safe from traffic, you can check yourself for any injuries. Adrenaline will likely still be surging after a crash, so some injuries may not present themselves right away. It’s also important to get checked out by a doctor a few hours or a day or so after the accident for this reason.

• Document the crash scene – Before moving your bike, make sure to document the crash scene, including where it happened and the time. Taking pictures and videos with your phone can help with this step.

• Talk to witnesses – A motorcycle accident is never ideal, but one positive of an accident at an intersection is that there will be plenty of witnesses. If you’re able and comfortable, talk to a few of them and get their contact information. Along the same lines, intersections will likely have a traffic camera that you could also request.

• Document crash factors – This step involves looking around at the crash scene to see what caused the accident. Sometimes, this means overgrown shrubbery or a missed stoplight. Other times, hazards from nearby construction can cause an accident. You may also want to observe the state of the driver that caused the accident to see if they may be driving under the influence.

Knowing what to do after an accident is very important to any claim for damages you may have. Another important step is consulting with our team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers. We can help you determine the viability of any claim you may have.

Who Is Liable In a San Francisco Motorcycle Accident At An Intersection?

In a San Francisco motorcycle accident that happens at an intersection, a number of different parties could be responsible for the damages and injuries you suffer. Every accident is unique, but one of the starting points of an accident claim is figuring out who or what entity acted negligently and caused the accident. This opens the claim up to a number of different possible parties:

• The driver of the vehicle that struck you.
• The manufacturer of your motorcycle
• The city or entity that is responsible for maintaining the roadway where your motorcycle accident occurred
• The construction company, if the accident was caused in a construction zone.
• The pedestrian that may have been in the intersection when they weren’t supposed to be.

Negligence boils down to a duty to keep you and others safe while on the road. Thus, whoever caused the accident violated that duty and caused the accident that led to your injuries. Figuring this out isn’t always easy, but working with our experienced lawyers can be extremely helpful. We have developed a proven system of success in handling motorcycle accident claims that include this very step.

What An San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim Covers

With liability established, you can then move on to actually filing a claim for damages. In California, you have the legal right to file both an insurance claim against the at-fault party and a personal injury lawsuit. Both are essentially claims for recovering damages, but our lawyers can help you figure out which is best for your particular situation. We can make sure that every available route to available support is taken, and that your claim remains strong in the face of any tactics from the insurance company.

Generally speaking, the following damages are recoverable in a San Francisco motorcycle accident:

• Medical treatment and bills
• Physical therapy costs
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

Again, these damages are general. What you can recover in your accident claim is based on the circumstances of your particular accident. Usually, if you have suffered more serious or extensive injuries, you could potentially recover more in a claim. Another important factor in California accidents is our state’s comparative negligence rule, which maintains that any percentage of fault you had in the accident reduces your potential recovery by that same percentage.

Get Help From Experienced San Francisco Attorneys

San Francisco is one of the most populous and active cities in California. Much of this action occurs in the city’s various intersections. With so much activity, motorcycle accidents become quite common. Although they’re unfortunate, motorcycle accidents at intersections do happen in San Francisco.

When you or a loved one are involved in one of these unfortunate accidents, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Matthew J. Quinlan. During your free initial consultation, we can explain your options and answer any questions you may have. To schedule your free consultation today, you can contact us here.