Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Motorcycle accidents are more than just unfortunate events; they can be life-altering experiences. If you've been injured in such an accident, you're likely facing physical pain, emotional trauma, and significant financial pressures.
Recovery can be a long road, but you don't have to navigate it alone. California law provides protections for those injured in motorcycle accidents, granting them the right to seek compensation for their injuries when another party is at fault.
At Injury Justice Law Firm, we specialize in understanding and addressing the unique challenges that motorcycle accident victims face. Our expertise lies in proving fault and helping you obtain the compensation that the law entitles you to.
Our top-tier motorcycle accident attorneys in Los Angeles are dedicated to performing extensive, complex tasks to ensure that victims and their families receive the compensation they need to cover medical bills and alleviate other burdens.
If you are injured as a result of a motorcycle crash, our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can help you seek a fair settlement. We aim to recover compensation for your injuries, property damages, medical bills, and other monetary damages.
You can be entitled to compensation for medical bills directly related to motorcycle crash injuries, including hospitalization and surgeries, and the cost of future medical treatment, including physical therapy and other rehabilitation.
You could also receive compensation for lost wages due to time spent away from work and decreased or lost future earnings due to injuries and property damages.
When a fatal motorcycle accident occurs, family members and eligible parties can file a wrongful death lawsuit. California law notes that survivors of the victim have exactly two years following the accident to file a wrongful death suit in court.
What are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents may be caused by a variety of factors, many of which involve other motorists or hazardous road conditions. Understanding the root cause of an accident helps determine liability and the potential for compensation. Some common causes of motorcycle accidents in California include:
- Driver Negligence: The majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers who fail to observe motorcyclists. This can include distracted driving, failure to check blind spots, tailgating, and sudden lane changes. Negligent drivers may overlook motorcycles due to their smaller size and may fail to yield, increasing the risk of a collision.
- Speeding: When drivers exceed the speed limit, they reduce their reaction time and increase the severity of collisions. Speeding is particularly hazardous for motorcyclists, who have limited protection compared to car drivers.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Alcohol and drugs impair a driver's judgment, reaction time, and ability to operate their vehicle safely. Drunk driving is a significant factor in many fatal motorcycle accidents.
- Left-Turn Collisions: Drivers making left turns without properly assessing oncoming traffic are a common cause of motorcycle accidents. Due to their smaller profile, motorcycles are harder for drivers to see, making left-turn accidents particularly dangerous.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: Many drivers fail to check their blind spots before switching lanes. This oversight can be deadly for motorcyclists, who can be easily overlooked in a driver's blind spot.
- Road Hazards: Uneven pavement, potholes, loose gravel, and other hazardous road conditions present serious dangers to motorcyclists. Unlike cars, motorcycles are far more sensitive to surface issues, and riders are at a greater risk of losing control when faced with unexpected obstacles.
- Defective Motorcycle Parts: Sometimes, a defect in the motorcycle itself, such as faulty brakes, tire blowouts, or engine malfunctions, can cause an accident. In such cases, liability may fall on the motorcycle manufacturer or parts supplier if the defect contributed to the accident.
Determining Liability in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Under California law, you have the right to pursue compensation if another person or entity's negligence contributed to your accident and injuries. Determining liability involves analyzing the circumstances and forensic evidence and identifying who is legally responsible. Some potential parties who may be held liable are discussed below.
This is a complex process that requires professional legal expertise. When a motorcycle crash occurs, injured victims often look to hold the following parties responsible. When a motorcycle crash occurs, injured victims often look to hold the following parties responsible:
- Negligent drivers. If another motorist acted carelessly or recklessly, they could be held liable for the accident. Examples include speeding, distracted driving, and failing to yield to motorcycles.
- Government Entities: When road hazards such as potholes, poorly designed intersections, or lack of signage contribute to an accident, a city or government agency may be held responsible. This includes public entities such as a city or state for poorly maintained roadways. It could also include construction contractors.
- Motorcycle Manufacturers: If a mechanical failure or design defect leads to an accident, the manufacturer of the motorcycle or its parts could be held liable.
- Commercial Drivers and Employers: If a commercial vehicle, such as a delivery truck, was involved in the accident, the company that owns the vehicle might also share liability.
Notably, California is a comparative negligence state, meaning that if someone is injured in an accident, they may be partly to blame for the accident or injuries.
Our Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorneys are well-versed in determining negligence in motorcycle accidents. Call us to schedule a free review of your important motorcycle injury claim.
Most of the time, the other vehicle is at fault. Even though you might ride responsibly, other motorists may not. When this happens, we will work to prove that the driver was at fault in the passenger-vehicle crash.
For example, cell phone usage has caused a significant rise in distracted driving. Many car motorists will lie and claim they weren't on their phones at the time of the incident. This potential for dishonesty underscores the importance of legal protection in such cases.
However, all it takes is a subpoena to obtain phone records to possibly prove their dishonesty, which can result in a fair settlement for a motorcycle accident.
In many cases, more than one party may be liable for the accident. California operates under a "comparative negligence" system, meaning that even if you are partially at fault, you may still recover compensation. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault.
For example, if you are deemed 20% at fault for the accident, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. Understanding the complexities of liability can be challenging, which is why having a knowledgeable attorney by your side is crucial.
By evaluating the facts and evidence in your case, we can help determine who is responsible and guide you through your legal options.
What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
A motorcycle crash can be expensive, stressful, and severely damage your health. Considering the high expenses of a motorcycle accident, you should do everything possible to document the scene so that you can recover the maximum compensation for your claim.
Taking the proper steps can help your recovery process go much smoother. When possible, you should do the following after a motorcycle crash in Los Angeles:
- Get to a safe place and check for injuries.
- Call emergency services when injuries exist.
- Remain as calm as possible.
- Report the accident to the police.
- Do not admit fault.
- Take photos of the collision, your injuries, and the accident scene.
- Exchange insurance and contact information.
- Collect eyewitness information.
- Contact our motorcycle crash lawyers.
Do Not Admit Fault After a Motorcycle Accident
Notably, immediately after a motorcycle accident, do not admit fault. At some point, you will have to notify your insurance company of the incident.
In these initial emotional moments after the motorcycle crash, you MUST NOT admit fault to anyone, including:
- Other driver,
- Witnesses,
- Police officers,
- Paramedics,
- Insurance company
Even when you are not at fault, your words can be manipulated by your policy details. Your insurance company, or the other party's insurance company, might attempt to withhold money that is rightfully yours.
What are Common Motorcycle Accident Causes That Impact Lawsuits?
Notably, while lane splitting is often illegal in many places, Los Angeles allows this practice. This means other motorists are required to share the road and ensure the safety of the motorcycle riders around them.
Regardless, lane-splitting accidents that result in severe injury to a motorcyclist are common in Los Angeles. Other accident types that commonly require the services of a motorcycle accident lawyer are:
- Failure-to-yield accident.
- Merging collision.
- Left-turn accident.
- Unsafe lane change.
- Intersection accident.
- Head-on collision.
- Hit-and-run accident.
- Multi-vehicle accident.
- Rear-end collision.
- Side-impact or T-Bone collision.
Contact our Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers if you're involved in a traffic collision. We will negotiate with the insurance companies and have a proven track record of helping injured motorcyclists get the compensation they deserve.
What are the Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents can result in serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries. Without the structural protection that cars provide, motorcyclists are exposed to a greater risk of harm upon impact.
Many motorcycle crash survivors face a steep climb on their path to recovery. Multiple surgeries might be needed, and intensive rehabilitation is often required for months and sometimes years. Some of the more serious injuries seen in motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even with a helmet, motorcyclists are vulnerable to head injuries. TBIs can lead to lifelong impairments, affecting memory, cognitive abilities, and motor functions.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The force of a motorcycle accident can damage the spinal cord, potentially leading to partial or full paralysis.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: The impact of a motorcycle accident frequently causes fractures, particularly to the arms, legs, and ribs. Recovery can be lengthy, and severe fractures may require surgery or ongoing rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: The impact of an accident can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs, which may not be immediately apparent. Internal injuries require prompt medical treatment, as they can be life-threatening if left untreated.
At Injury Justice Law Firm, our motorcycle injury lawyers in Los Angeles are committed to fighting for your rights against powerful insurance companies. We are here to provide you with a free case review and answer any questions you may have.
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