Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents: When It’s Not Just “Your Fault”

Single-vehicle motorcycle crashes can be caused by various factors beyond a rider’s control, including road hazards, defective parts, poor road design, or even the actions of other drivers. If you were injured in a “single-vehicle” motorcycle crash, do not assume that you cannot hold anyone else liable for your damages.

Our motorcycle accident attorneys work with bikers in Santa Ana and throughout California to determine the actual cause of a crash and seek full financial recovery on their behalf.

What Is a Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Crash?

Any time only a motorcycle is directly involved in an accident, it is referred to as a single-vehicle crash. This can include situations like the following:

• The motorcycle rider loses traction on gravel, sand, or oil in the road and slides out of control
• The rider slams into a pothole or uneven section of pavement
• The motorcyclist hits something that fell from another car
• The rider’s actions are a result of a mechanical defect or issue
• The rider is forced off the road by another careless driver

In every single-vehicle motorcycle crash case we have handled, we have seen factors outside the motorcyclist’s control that need to be considered.

The Typical Causes of Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes

1. Road Hazards

Motorcycles are less stable than four-wheeled vehicles, and they are much more sensitive to changes in road conditions. A pothole or uneven area of pavement may be barely noticeable by car drivers, but it can easily send a motorcycle rider flying. Other road hazards include these:

• Gravel or sand on a curved section of road
• Uneven surfaces or shifting pavement in the center or side of a lane
• Improperly marked or protected road construction zones
• Slick roads due to rain or oil spillage

When these hazards are not addressed or marked in a timely manner, the city, county, or state government entity responsible for maintaining the road may be liable.

2. Defective Parts

The motorcycle’s tires, brakes, or steering system may be defective and cause the rider to lose control of the bike unexpectedly. If the design or manufacture of any of those parts is the issue, the motorcycle brand could be at fault. In some cases, the repair shop that last worked on the bike may also be liable if it performed a faulty repair.

3. Negligent Drivers

The other driver may not have been in direct contact with the motorcycle during the crash, but their actions could have led the rider to take evasive actions that they could not recover from. Speeding, distracted driving, or reckless driving is a huge issue. If the driver was negligent in their actions, they may still be responsible for the single-vehicle crash.

4. Faulty Road Design

The way in which certain roads or intersections are designed can be the cause of motorcycle accidents. Failure to have guardrails, crosswalks, lane markings, or similar safety precautions in place can result in serious accidents. Blind corners and excessive curves can also be a major reason behind motorcycle crashes. In some cases, the contractor who designed the roads could be at fault for single-vehicle motorcycle crashes, as well as the government entity that is ultimately responsible for the road.

Proving Liability in a Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Crash

One of the challenges of a single-vehicle motorcycle crash is that, well, there is no other vehicle involved. For that reason, insurance companies will immediately shift blame to the rider, assuming there was no one else involved.

However, proving that someone else is at fault for a single-vehicle motorcycle accident can be done, but it will take some investigation, including the following:

• Police reports
• Scene photos
• Surveillance or dashcam footage
• Motorcycle inspection for mechanical problems
• Witness statements about another driver’s actions
• Accident reconstruction analysis
• Road repair and maintenance records

These items can provide evidence of factors other than rider error in a single-vehicle crash.

Injuries Caused by Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes

It’s been said that a car is a safe box on wheels — but a motorcycle is anything but that. When riders are involved in single-vehicle crashes, they can be seriously injured in a number of ways, including the following:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Concussions and serious brain trauma can still occur even with helmet use.

Spinal Cord Injuries: A direct impact or a slide can cause permanent paralysis or limited mobility.

Broken Bones: Arms, legs, and ribs are common broken bones in serious motorcycle crashes.

Road Rash: Skin is left exposed during motorcycle crashes, which can lead to severe road rash and permanent scars.

Internal Damage: Damage to internal organs can be caused during a motorcycle crash that may not be immediately visible.

The severity of a single-vehicle motorcycle crash can inflict all sorts of catastrophic injuries on the rider. In many cases, these injuries will leave them unable to return to work or to perform even simple tasks.

What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You To Know  

Insurance companies know that it is more difficult to prove liability in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash. For that reason, they try to deny or settle cases as quickly as possible and for as little money as possible. Here are some common tactics:

• Claiming the motorcyclist was speeding or otherwise driving recklessly
• Arguing that road hazards were “open and obvious” and should have been easily avoided by the rider
• Disputing that a defective part was the root cause of the crash
• Playing down the severity of injuries

Insurance companies want motorcyclists to pay for their own medical bills and repairs out of their own pockets, even if the accident was not their fault.

Steps To Take if You Are Involved in a Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accident

• Seek medical treatment as soon as possible
• Call the police and file an official report
• Document the scene, including road hazards and other evidence
• Retain your motorcycle until it can be properly inspected
• Get witness statements
• Contact a lawyer

As always, your priority should be your health. Once you have ensured this, you can take the necessary steps to protect your legal rights.

Work With a Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

If you were involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in California, do not let anyone tell you that it was “just your fault.” The right attorney can help you determine the contributing factors, hold all liable parties responsible, and fight for full compensation on your behalf. Our law firm has experience working with motorcyclists after single-vehicle motorcycle crashes, and we would be happy to offer you a free consultation. Contact us today and let us help you assert your legal rights and options.