Motorcycle Accident Attorney FAQs

California is one of the best places to ride a motorcycle. The wide open roads, the desert, mountains, and sea all make the Golden State an ideal destination for motorcycle enthusiasts and novice riders alike. However, riding a motorcycle comes with its own risks. Thousands of motorcycle accidents occur per year, resulting in serious injuries and losses for riders.

If you were recently in a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering if you need to hire a motorcycle accident attorney. A motorcycle accident attorney specializes in helping people who have been injured in motorcycle crashes. Here is what a lawyer does:

File a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver or other responsible party.
Investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your claim.
Negotiate with the insurance company to get you the maximum compensation possible.
Take your case to trial if necessary.

Arrowhead Accident Attorneys provides detailed and caring legal representation to anyone injured by negligence. Call our experienced motorcycle accident attorney today.

What Is the Most Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents?

In 2015, 12,844 motorcycle riders were injured in traffic collisions in California. The top cause of motorcycle collisions is speeding, followed by right-of-way violations and improper turning. Most causes of motorcycle accidents involve some form of driver negligence or the driver failing to see the motorcyclist, which can include:

Distracted driving
Left turns
Reckless driving
Unsafe lane changes
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Nonetheless, motorcyclists can also cause an accident if they are lane splitting dangerously, speeding, or driving under the influence. Both motorcyclists and drivers must take the proper care on the road to ensure everyone’s safety.

What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Motorcycle accidents can result in various types of severe injuries. Some of the most common injuries that a motorcycle crash causes are:

Head and brain injuries: Motorcycle riders may suffer from concussions, skull fractures, bleeding, swelling, or damage to the brain tissue in an accident. Although wearing a helmet can reduce the risk and severity of head and brain injuries, it cannot prevent them completely.
Spinal cord injuries: These can occur when the spinal cord is compressed, stretched, or severed by the impact of the accident. Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, chronic pain, or other complications. These injuries are often irreversible and require long-term care and rehabilitation.
Road rash: Road rash can range from mild to severe, depending on the speed, distance, and surface of the slide. Road rash can cause pain, bleeding, infection, scarring, or nerve damage. Wearing protective clothing like a sturdy jacket and boots can help prevent or reduce road rash.
Broken bones: Broken bones can affect any part of the body, but they are especially common in the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and collarbone. Broken bones can cause pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, or loss of function. Broken bones may require surgery, immobilization, or physical therapy to heal properly.
Internal injuries: Internal injuries can be caused by blunt force trauma or penetrating trauma from the accident. Internal injuries can affect the lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, or other organs. Internal injuries can cause bleeding, shock, organ failure, or death. Internal injuries may not be obvious at first and may require immediate medical attention.

These are some of the common motorcycle accident injuries that can occur. If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence or fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. You should consult qualified motorcycle accident injury lawyers for your specific case and circumstances.

How Much Is a Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

Every motorcycle accident is different. Typically, the more severe the accident, the higher the value of the case. In a personal injury claim, you may be eligible to recover two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are quantifiable losses that can be easily calculated, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

On the other hand, non-economic damages are more subjective and difficult to quantify, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In some motorcycle accident cases, an injured person may also be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the at-fault party and to deter them from similar behavior in the future. Punitive damages are not capped in California, but they are rarely awarded.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Since motorcycle accidents fall under personal injury, motorcycle accident lawyers work on a contingency fee, and not a fixed hourly fee. A contingency fee arrangement means that clients only pay a percentage of their settlement if their case is successful. If the lawyer is not successful in obtaining a settlement, the client owes nothing.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

Unfortunately, if you wait too long to file a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit, you may lose your right to compensation. The statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident in California is two years. This means that you must file your personal injury claim within two years of the date of the accident. If you do not file your claim within two years, you may be barred from recovering compensation for your injuries.

Call Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

If you need an experienced and honest motorcycle accident lawyer, you can count on Arrowhead Accident Attorneys. As the top personal injury law firm in San Bernardino, we have won countless cases for motorcycle accident victims. We award our clients the maximum in compensation to recover their losses.

To see what we can do for you, call our law office at (909) 453-2040 to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you get back on your bike and enjoy the beauty of motorcycle riding.