Sacramento is a bustling place. It is full of people, cars, and traffic. Plenty of Sacramento locals ride motorcycles, too. Riding is a wonderful hobby, and motorcycles are a great way to get around, but there are always dangers lurking on the roads. Here are a few things that Sacramento-area motorcyclists should keep in mind.
Best practices for riding in the Sacramento area
Sacramento has lots of traffic and plenty of dangerous roads and intersections, so be careful when you ride. Always make sure to practice defensive riding. Remember, drivers of cars, trucks, and other vehicles are notorious for being lousy at spotting motorcyclists. Never assume that a driver will behave in a rational or safe way.
Wear all of your required safety gear. It can get hot in Sacramento, but it’s better to sweat a bit than to forgo any of the tough stuff that will protect your body and skin in the event of a crash or slide.
Sacramento’s weather is often beautiful, but be wary when it’s not. Motorcycles are not the ideal way to get around when the weather is rough and roads are slick with rain. Avoid starting a ride in such conditions, and don’t be afraid to pull over and take a break at a rest stop or under an overpass to wait out the rain if you’re already on the road.
Make sure that you know the laws! Motorcyclists encounter different laws in different states. In Sacramento, it is California law that reigns supreme. California demands that you wear a helmet when you ride (legal or not, this is a good idea). California law does not prohibit lane splitting (or “filtering”). Use lane splitting with extreme caution, though — despite its clear benefits, it is controversial among drivers of cars who may be spooked or react aggressively.
After an accident: your safety and your rights
After an accident, put safety first. Check on yourself and on others, and call 911 right away if you find any injuries at all. Call the police — you’re required by law to do so in Sacramento (and throughout California) if there are injuries or more than $1,000 in damage, and it’s never a bad idea to do so. Make sure you get a copy of the police report.
Work with your insurance next, but don’t forget that you may have legal options. If the accident was not your fault and if you’re suffering the consequences, you need to know your rights under California law.
Getting justice in Sacramento
If you are injured in an accident that was the result of another person’s negligence, you should not have to suffer the consequences. Unfortunately, the reality is that life isn’t fair. It is all too common for reckless and negligent drivers in busy places like Sacramento to cause accidents that can lead to dire consequences for responsible motorcyclists.
If you are injured in an accident, you could find yourself stuck in a hospital or working through endless physical therapy routines. You could be buried in medical costs. Healthcare costs in California can be significant, which can lead to mounting medical debt — debt that will be even harder to pay off if, like many injured people, you find yourself unable to work. Medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy in America, and the high cost of living here in California will make things even tougher while you’re out of work.
These unfair consequences can hit you whether you like it or not, but you do have options for recovering compensation. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident through no fault of your own, you should contact a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney.
Under California law, you could file a personal injury lawsuit and recover funds to help you pay off medical bills and compensate you for your pain and suffering. Only a licensed attorney can give you legal advice, so find one and learn more about fighting for your rights in court.