California has more registered motorcycles than any other state. Many Californians take advantage of its moderate weather by riding motorcycles.
But a large number of motorcycles leads to a large number of motorcycle accidents. In 2021 alone, San Diego saw 521 motorcycle crashes that caused an injury or fatality.
If you own a motorcycle in San Diego or know a family member or friend who does, it is important to understand how motorcyclists get injured and the common motorcycle injuries they suffer in San Diego, CA.
Table of Contents
How Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in San Diego
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers was founded in 2010. Since its founding, its lawyers have recovered tens of millions of dollars for accident victims in San Diego and the surrounding areas. The firm’s lawyers have over 43 years of combined experience in injury law and use that experience to win or settle 99% of the firm’s cases.
Some of the awards and honors received by the firm’s San Diego motorcycle accident attorneys include:
- San Diego Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers Magazine
- A 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo
- Top 40 Under 40 from The National Trial Lawyers
Some of the ways the firm’s lawyers can assist you include:
- Handling all negotiations and communications with the other party to your case
- Investigate the extent of your damages and collect evidence to prove your claim
- File a lawsuit and take your case to trial if need be
- Apprise you of your legal options at all stages
- Ensure you’re protected from accusations that you’re to blame for the accident
Motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries that require expensive medical care. To discuss the compensation you can seek for the injuries you suffered in a motorcycle accident in San Diego, California, contact or call Mission Personal Injury Lawyers at (619) 777-5555 for a free consultation.
How Common Are Motorcycle Injuries in San Diego, CA?
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) released annual statewide traffic accident numbers up until 2017. In its 2017 report, the CHP reported 13,907 injury accidents involving a motorcycle.
California counted 959,000 registered motorcycles that year. This means about 1.5% of those motorcycles were involved in an injury crash in 2017.
According to the CHP, San Diego County accounted for 1,576 motorcycle injury accidents in 2017, second only to Los Angeles County. As a result, 11.3% of the motorcycle accident injuries in the state were attributed to San Diego County.
Since 2017, the state has provided much more detailed traffic accident information, albeit from different sources. In 2021, the University of California’s analysis of the new data reported 1,161 motorcycle accident injuries in San Diego County. This number included 510 injured motorcyclists in the City of San Diego.
Overview of the Common Motorcycle Injuries in San Diego, CA
Motorcycles are inherently unstable. When a motorcyclist loses balance, the motorcycle can go into a slide, resulting in injuries to the motorcyclist without a collision.
Motorcycles also have a higher power-to-weight ratio than passenger cars. As a result, motorcyclists must have more skill and practice to control a motorcycle.
In a crash, motorcycles provide little protection to the rider or any passengers. Since they are exposed, motorcyclists can suffer injuries when their bodies hit other vehicles, fixed objects, or the road. Motorcyclists are also much more likely to be ejected during an accident than vehicle occupants.
These factors combine to make motorcycle accidents very dangerous for motorcyclists. About 80% of motorcycle accidents result in an injury or death of a rider. By comparison, only about 20% of car accidents result in an injury or death of a vehicle occupant.
In collisions between motorcycles and cars, the car driver is at fault most of the time. This happens for many reasons, including the smaller size of the motorcycle and the cognitive bias of car drivers against spotting motorcycles near them.
When a car hits a motorcycle due to the carelessness of the driver, the driver bears liability for the accident. In California, at-fault drivers and their insurers must pay the damages associated with any accidents they cause.
Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
Lower Extremity Injuries
Motorcycle accident injuries occur most frequently to the legs and hips. When your motorcycle goes into a slide, your motorcycle falls over sideways. This fall can injure your foot, leg, or hip. The motorcycle can trap your leg as it slides, causing additional damage.
Some common lower extremity injuries from motorcycle accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries, such as knee injuries
- Burns
- Road rash
Fortunately, these lower extremity injuries are rarely fatal. But they can still damage your legs severely enough to require amputation, surgery, or other forms of medical care.
Upper Extremity Injuries
The second-most common motorcycle injury happens to the upper extremities. Like the lower extremities, the arms, hands, and shoulders can impact the ground when the motorcycle goes into a slide.
Head and Face Injuries
Even though California has a universal helmet law, head and face injuries are still common. But the difference between helmeted and unhelmeted motorcyclists is that head injuries for helmeted riders are less likely to be fatal. Motorcycle helmets reduce your risk of death from a head injury by 37%.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our San Diego Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries that require expensive medical treatment and prevent you from working. To discuss the compensation you can seek for your motorcycle accident injuries, contact Mission Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with an experienced San Diego motorcycle accident attorney.
