Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Driving any vehicle comes with a risk. However, because of the lack of external protection, motorcycle accidents are more dangerous than crashes involving other vehicles. If you are involved in an accident, the potential for injury is great. You could find yourself with a permanent disability.
When you work with a motorcycle lawyer in California, you can move towards getting compensation for your accident. You don’t need to let the financial burden of your accident weigh you down. Instead, you can receive money for damages.
Here at Bauman Law APLC, we want to see you get justice. If someone else was responsible for your accident, they should be held accountable. Our firm can stand up for you.
What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
After your accident, you should seek immediate medical care. Most motorcycle crashes involve serious injuries. If necessary, you should go to the hospital. But even minor injuries require medical care. You should get medical treatment as soon as possible. Tell the healthcare provider that your injuries were the result of a car accident. By doing so, you get more proof that your injuries are accident-related.
If your injuries are minor enough, you should document the scene of the accident. Take pictures of the scene and write down important information, like the names of the other driver and passengers.
Although most people do seek medical care, they neglect to take another important step — they fail to call a lawyer. A lawyer can advise you on the steps you need to take immediately after your accident.
Another important step is to track all of your accident-related expenses. For example, keep track of medical copayments, pharmaceutical purchases, and repair costs. Be sure to include any time you miss from work. If you want fair compensation, you need a record of all of the expenses.
How to Get Compensation
If the other driver was to blame for your motorcycle accident, you have several options for getting compensation. First, you can go through the insurance company. They are unlikely to give you a fair settlement, so a lawyer can negotiate with them. It’s possible that you a fair payout from them.
Another option is to file a personal injury lawsuit. In California, you can file a civil lawsuit against a negligent driver. Your case could end with a settlement or a court order. Either way, you could receive money to cover the damages.
Finally, you could file a wrongful death claim. In Los Angeles, 59% more motorcycle riders died in crashes in 2012 than in 2010. If your loved one was one of the many motorcycle accident victims, you could file a lawsuit against the negligent driver. In addition to receiving money for accident-related expenses, you could also receive compensation for the loss of income, loss of companionship, and suffering.
The Value of Your Case
The high price of motorcycle accidents makes it important for victims to receive fair compensation. But there’s no easy way to determine how much your case is worth. There is no simple formula for determining your case’s worth. For an estimate, you should contact a lawyer. It’s one of the best ways to learn more about the potential damages you can receive.
That said, there are some basic facts you should know about the value of your case. According to state laws, a personal injury claim can get you money for all of the following:
Past medical expenses
Future medical bills
Vehicle repairs
Pain and suffering
Damaged equipment, like protective gear
Lost wages (present and future)
Decreased earning capacity
With the money from your claim, you can move forward without a financial burden. You can take the time you need to recover from your injuries.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
In Los Angeles, 2441 motorcycle riders were killed and injured in 2016. Many of those accidents were the faut of the other driver, or a third-party. Here are a few common causes of motorcycle accidents:
1. Cars Making Left-Hand Turns
This happens to be one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents. As cars turn left, they might not see a motorcycle coming down the road. This could result in a T-bone accident.
It’s the responsibility of the car driver to look for other vehicles before turning. If another driver T-bones you, it’s likely that they are to blame. Unless you are speeding or acting recklessly, the other driver owes you compensation. This type of accident can be particularly devastating and particularly expensive. Therefore, it’s important to seek money for the expenses.
2. Hazards on the Road
Unlike cars, motorcycles have little stability. When you drive over objects like potholes and rocks, you could lose control. This makes road hazards a common cause of accidents.
Typically, someone is responsible for the road hazard. For example, a construction company could leave debris in the road. A government agency could neglect to repair a pothole. In either case, you have a right to compensation.
3. Distracted Driving
Even focused drivers can overlook motorcycles. Therefore, distracted driving makes it almost impossible for car drivers to see motorcyclists.
If a driver is looking at their phone or talking to a passenger, they might not see you. As a result, they could hit you. This commonly happens when drivers change lanes without looking first. It also happens when vehicles don’t see a motorcycle stopped at a traffic light or stop sign. But, either way, they are at-fault and you can seek damages. Distracted driving is a form of negligence.
Working with Bauman Law APLC
Motorcycle accident victims can take years to recover. In some cases, they might have permanent disabilities. The lack of protection on motorcycles makes it likely that you will experience a serious injury.
Some common injuries experienced by motorcycle accident victims include burns, fractures, brain damage, spinal cord damage, and disfigurement. If you experience one such injury, you might need to give up your career or completely change your life.
You don’t deserve to pay for another driver’s mistakes. If someone else is responsible for the accident, you should seek justice. Our firm wants to get you the money you deserve. For years, we’ve fought for accident victims. We know what it takes to get you fair compensation. If you want a chance at justice, contact us today.