Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident in Stockton?
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to injury due to their lack of protection from the road and other outdoor elements. When a motorcycle is involved in a car accident, for example, the motorcyclist (and their passenger, if any) are likely to be suddenly and violently thrown onto the pavement. Similarly, if there is a sudden mechanical failure in the motorcycle or an open pothole in the street, the motorcyclist may not have any time to properly react and protect themselves from harm.
With that in mind, here are some of the parties that be financially liable in the event of a motorcycle accident:
- Negligent Drivers: Motorcycles have the same right to be on the road as any other motor vehicle. Yet we often see accidents occur when a reckless car or truck driver fails to operate their vehicle safely in the presence of a smaller motorcycle.
- Pedestrians: A pedestrian who suddenly darts into traffic without warning–and outside a crosswalk or other safe crossing–poses a significant safety hazard to vehicles traveling on that road. This includes motorcycles, where an operator may be forced to suddenly swerve and risk an accident to avoid hitting a reckless pedestrian.
- Manufacturers and Mechanics: Motorcycles are complicated pieces of machinery. Any defect in the design or manufacture of a motorcycle–or any one of its hundreds of components–can lead to a critical failure while an operator is using the vehicle. Under California product liability laws, such manufacturers can be held financially liable for such accidents. Likewise, a mechanic who performs a defective repair job or uses incorrect parts can be sued if their shoddy work leads to an accident.
- Municipalities: Local governments in California, such as the City of Stockton, to safely maintain the public roads under their control. If the city’s failure to perform proper road maintenance–or provide appropriate signage–leads to a motorcycle accident, the victim may have a claim for compensation against the municipality.
Contact Our Stockton Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
Recovering from a motorcycle accident is often a long, painful, and expensive process. It is not uncommon for a motorcyclist to require weeks or hospital care followed by months of rehabilitation. During that time, the injured motorcyclist is often unable to work and continue earning a living.
California law allows victims to seek compensation for these and other losses arising from a negligent driver or third party’s actions. Our Stockton motorcycle accident lawyers will be happy to sit down with you and learn more about your case. Call Venardi Zurada LLP today at (833) VZ FOR ME to schedule a free confidential consultation.
