Helping Victims Of Serious Motorcycle Accidents Seek The Compensation They Deserve
California has one of the highest numbers of registered motorcycles of any state in the United States. Motorcycle riders get out to enjoy the weather, the views and much more. However, motorcycle accidents happen on a regular basis, many of which result in catastrophic – or fatal – injuries. If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault, you need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Beverly Hills on your side.
Jalilvand Law Corporation works with clients who have suffered injuries in many types of accidents, including motorcycle crashes. We can evaluate your rights and stand up for you as you face serious injuries. Let an experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney stand up for you after your accident.
Common Causes Of Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable when they crash, as they often have little more than a helmet for protection. As a result, motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries and astronomical losses, including medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and permanent disabilities. It is critical to determine the cause of a crash so you can hold the proper parties liable for your extensive losses.
While motorcycle accidents can happen for any number of reasons, the following are some common causes:
- Distracted drivers
- Drunk drivers
- Aggressive drivers
- Defective motorcycles
- Dangerous road hazards
Our law firm has the resources to determine liability for your crash and help you file the appropriate insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits. You can rest easy knowing you have a skilled legal team acting in your best interests while you are focusing on your recovery process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can lead to devastating injuries. Learning more about how claims for compensation and personal injury lawsuits work in the aftermath of a wreck can help protect your future.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim?
In California, you typically have two years from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a lawsuit, unless the defendant is a local or state government entity. In that situation, you generally have six months. Filing a motorcycle claim within this statute of limitations is crucial to recovering damages. If a claim is not filed by the deadline, compensation for medical bills, property damages, lost wages and other losses will be forfeited.
Our attorneys at Jalilvand Law Corporation can help victims of motorcycle accidents pursue fair compensation for their injuries and losses with minimal delays. Early action can help preserve critical evidence and help resolve claims without the necessity of a trial.
What evidence is important to collect at the scene of a motorcycle accident?
Evidence is key to any successful motorcycle accident claim. Evidence helps determine who is liable for damages and the extent of an accident’s severity. Some evidence to collect after a motorcycle accident, whenever possible, includes:
- The police report: The police will make a report of the accident, which will detail when and where the accident took place, who was involved, and whether any traffic laws were violated.
- Medical records: A medical examination at the scene of a motorcycle accident can help tie the accident to a victim’s injuries and records from subsequent medical appointments help establish the severity of your injuries.
- Video recordings: Dash camera and street camera footage can help show how an accident happened and who was involved.
Preserving evidence for a motorcycle accident claim can help victims hold liable parties responsible for their actions. An attorney can help with this process.
How does wearing a helmet impact a motorcycle accident claim?
California motorcyclists are legally required to wear a helmet, regardless of their age or experience level. A motorcyclist who was wearing their helmet can demonstrate that they were showing reasonable care to avoid serious injuries, which can help them avoid shared liability after a wreck.
Can I still receive compensation if the accident was partially my fault?
Yes. California is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that a motorcyclist can still recover damages even when 99% at fault, although the compensation will be reduced accordingly. For example, if you are 20% at fault for a motorcycle wreck and have $100,000 worth of damages, you would be eligible to recover $80,000.
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident?
Your first priority should always be your safety and medical care, so call 911. As you wait for the police and paramedics to arrive at the accident, you should – if you can – move away from oncoming traffic, where you are safer.
Even if your injuries seem minor, request medical assistance on the scene. Motorcycle injuries are often more serious than they initially appear. Some injuries are not apparent immediately after an accident and your adrenaline can mask the severity of others. In addition, a detailed medical record can help link your injuries to the accident, which can be important to any future compensation claim.
If you are able, document the scene. Take photos of the vehicles involved, the road conditions, skid marks, debris in the road from the wreck and any visible injuries. Exchange information with the other driver, and collect the contact information of any witnesses. Do not, however, discuss fault at the scene.
Finally, reach out to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney right away. This helps protect you against the insurance company’s mechanisms and unfair allegations of liability.
How is fault determined in a motorcycle accident?
There are several forms of evidence insurance adjusters use to determine fault in a motorcycle accident. This evidence can include the following:
- Police reports
- Medical reports
- Dash camera footage
- Traffic camera recordings
- Witness statements
Insurance adjusters, judges and juries use this evidence to piece together how an accident happened and how liability for the wreck and any damages should be divided. Since California uses a pure comparative negligence system, you will not be barred from claiming damages even if you are 99% responsible for the accident, although your compensation will be reduced by the percentage attributed to you.
What types of compensation can I seek after a motorcycle accident?
After a motorcycle accident, you can recover compensation for both economic and noneconomic damages, including:
- Medical bills: Hospital stay expenses, medication, medical equipment, surgery and future medical expenses
- Lost wages: Salary loss while recovering from injuries and future employment loss.
- Property damages: Repair and replacement costs for a motorcycle
- Emotional turmoil: Loss of enjoyment from life, anxiety and other forms of pain and suffering
Our attorneys at Jalilvand Law Corporation can help determine the true value of your motorcycle accident and help you recover the maximum compensation.
What are common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents?
Some of the most common injuries people suffer after a motorcycle accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Traumatic spine injuries
- Road rash and burns
- Broken bones
- Facial trauma
- Amputations
- Emotional distress
Our attorneys at Jalilvand Law Corporation can help motorcyclists recover maximum compensation for their medical bills and more.
How can a personal injury lawyer assist me in a motorcycle accident case?
It is important to speak to a personal injury lawyer before filing a motorcycle accident claim. An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine the total cost of a motorcycle accident, including lost wages, future medical costs, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys at Jalilvand Law Corporation can gather crucial evidence to support a claim such as traffic camera recordings, witness statements and accident recreations. We will aggressively represent our client until their needs are met.
What if the other driver involved in the accident is uninsured?
If a driver is uninsured, you may be able to file a claim against your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM coverage offers drivers protection if they are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run accident.
However, UM coverage may not offer enough compensation to cover serious medical bills, property damages and other losses. It may be possible to file a motorcycle accident claim against the negligent driver for compensation. Before you file a motorcycle accident claim, you should speak to the attorneys at Jalilvand Law Corporation to learn about your rights and legal options.
How is pain and suffering calculated in motorcycle accident claims?
A motorcyclist could experience pain and suffering after a motorcycle accident. Some of the most common forms of pain and suffering include emotional turmoil, loss of companionship, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain. Unlike medical bills, lost wages and property damage, however, it is difficult to calculate the costs of pain and suffering.
Compensation for pain and suffering is often calculated by the multiplier method or the per diem method. The multiplier method calculates noneconomic damages based on a multiple of the total economic damages. The per diem method compensates a victim per day of their recovery period. Our attorneys can help determine what is fair in your case and advocate for you to receive what you are due.
What role does insurance play in motorcycle accident claims?
Insurance can shape how medical bills, lost income and property damage are handled after a collision. California is a fault-based state, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurer is generally responsible for compensating the injured motorcyclist. Your own policy may also provide support through medical payments coverage or uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits.
Because multiple policies may apply, it is wise to review limits, exclusions and coordination of benefits to understand the full scope of compensation.
How long does it typically take to resolve a California motorcycle accident case?
The timeline depends on injury severity, length of medical treatment and the complexity of liability issues. Cases involving minor injuries may resolve within several months once medical treatment stabilizes and damages can be accurately calculated. More serious injuries may require extended treatment, which can delay settlement until doctors can determine long-term needs.
Disputes over fault, low insurance offers or the need for litigation can extend the process to a year or more. Additionally, the duration can be influenced by evidence, expert evaluations and the willingness of insurers to negotiate.
What if I was injured while riding as a passenger on a motorcycle?
Passengers have the right to pursue compensation from any negligent party, including the motorcycle operator or another driver involved in the crash. Liability is established based on the actions of each party, and passengers are rarely considered responsible for causing a collision.
Claims may involve multiple insurance policies, including the motorcycle operator’s liability coverage, the at-fault driver’s policy or uninsured motorist protection. Document your injuries and seek medical care promptly to support an injury claim as a passenger.
Are there specific motorcycle laws in California that could affect my accident claim?
California has several laws that may influence liability assessments and insurance evaluations in a motorcycle accident claim. For instance, all riders and passengers must wear helmets that meet federal safety standards and noncompliance can weaken your claim. Unsafe lane splitting may also be considered when determining fault shares.
Additional regulations apply to motorcycle equipment, licensing and lane positioning. Learning more about California accident and injury law can help clarify the strength of your claim and the compensation available.
How do I prove negligence in a motorcycle accident case?
Proving negligence means showing that another person’s carelessness caused your accident and injuries. This process starts by demonstrating that the other motorist had a duty to drive safely on the road. Next, you prove that they breached that duty through a specific careless action, such as speeding or running a red light, connecting their mistake directly to the crash that caused your injuries. The final step is documenting your damages, which include medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering.
What medical documentation is necessary for my motorcycle accident claim?
Thorough medical documentation forms the backbone of your claim and helps show the true impact of your injuries. After a motorcycle accident, make sure that you save the following records:
- Emergency room records, hospital admission papers and ambulance reports
- Diagnostic test results, including X-rays, MRIs and CT scans
- All medical bills, prescription receipts and payment records
- Records of doctor visits, treatments and physical therapy sessions
- Your doctor’s detailed notes about how injuries affect daily life
- Documentation of work restrictions or disability statements
These medical documents work together to create a complete picture of your injuries, expenses and suffering.
What if the motorcycle accident involved a commercial vehicle?
Motorcycle accidents involving commercial vehicles like trucks often result in more severe injuries due to the massive size and weight difference between the vehicles. These cases can be more complex because multiple parties might be responsible – not just the driver, but also the company that hired them, the vehicle owner or even maintenance companies.
Commercial companies often send teams right away after an accident to gather information and protect themselves from paying large claims. You need an experienced personal injury attorney who will level the playing field and help you stand up to these powerful companies as you focus on recovery.
How do settlements and trials differ in motorcycle accident cases?
Settlements resolve your motorcycle accident case through private negotiations with the insurance company. This results in guaranteed compensation that you agree to accept without going to court. In a trial, your case goes to a courtroom, where a judge and jury listen to testimony, review evidence and decide who was at fault and what compensation you deserve. Settlements typically conclude your case faster and with less stress, while trials can take months or even years but might result in higher compensation if you win.
Learn How A Skilled Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
Motorcycle accidents are especially dangerous for cyclists, and they commonly end in catastrophic injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered in a motorcycle accident, let us help you earn the compensation you need to pay your bills and get the care you deserve.
After a motorcycle crash and injuries, you should discuss your rights with a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney. Jalilvand Law handles complex injury and accident cases, so please do not wait to call 310-478-5800 or contact us online to set up your free case evaluation.