Get answers to important questions about the rights and options of motorcycle accident victims
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence in California. These accidents have the potential to result in serious, life-altering injuries such as spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, internal injuries, and more. If you ride a motorcycle for pleasure or for your daily commute, it’s important to understand how motorcycle accident cases are handled and what you should do if you are injured in an accident.
How Is Liability Determined in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Liability is determined by looking closely at the accident to see who caused it. There are many possible causes of motorcycle accidents, including motorcyclist error, driver error, road hazards, and manufacturer’s defects. In California, we follow a standard of comparative liability, which allows for more than one party to be found liable for a single accident. Each party will be responsible for damages according to their share of liability.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident?
After a motorcycle accident, it is extremely important to gather evidence from the scene of the accident. This can be accomplished with cell phone photos or video. You will also want to exchange names and contact information with all other involved parties and witnesses, as well as get insurance information from other involved parties.
Do I Have to Go Straight to the Hospital?
Obviously, if you are severely injured you will need immediate medical care. But it’s also possible that you may feel relatively unhurt after a motorcycle accident, while actually still having serious internal injuries. This may happen due to the pain-masking effects of adrenalin, or because you are in shock. Even if you feel unhurt, it is important to see a doctor ASAP. Your doctor will be able to diagnose injuries you may not yet be aware of, make sure you get appropriate treatment, and create a record linking your injuries to your accident that will be very important to any future legal action you decide to take. It is not necessary to accept an ambulance ride straight to the hospital if you feel your injuries don’t merit it; but you should definitely see a doctor the same day whenever possible.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover?
You are entitled to compensation for all the ways that your motorcycle accident has affected your life. Specifically, this includes damages for:
- Medical treatment—including future care
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
How Can I Tell If I Have a Case?
In order to secure compensation following a motorcycle accident, you need to be able to prove that your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence and that the accident caused you to suffer an injury. The best way to determine if the evidence in your case will be sufficient is to have a motorcycle accident attorney review it.
Do I Need an Attorney?
In most cases, motorcycle accident victims will be securing compensation from the insurance company representing the person who caused their accident. It is certainly possible to make an insurance claim without an attorney’s help. However, if you do so, you risk missing out on valuable compensation. Insurance companies have all kinds of strategies for reducing or even denying victims’ compensation. You need a motorcycle accident attorney’s help to fight back effectively against these strategies so you can receive full and fair compensation for your injuries and suffering.
At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we offer free initial consultations for motorcycle accident victims. Call us at 800-333-0000 to request yours.
