Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Orange County, CA
Whether you are commuting through town or winding through the curves of a country road, riding a motorcycle can be a thrilling experience. But Orange County streets, roads and highways can also be dangerous for motorcyclists. Riders have less protection in a crash, and other motorists may not give motorcyclists the space and respect they deserve.
At Silverthorne Attorneys, we understand the challenges that motorcycle riders face. Too often, the insurance companies and responsible parties try to blame the riders. It’s not fair, and it’s not right. That’s why we stand firm for motorcycle accident victims.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, let us help you. We charge no fees unless we recover money for you. We are always available to answer any questions. At Silverthorne Attorneys, you decide what’s fair and we fight for it.
For a free consultation, call us today or use our online contact form.
Why Are Motorcycle Accident Claims More Complicated?
Motorcycle accident claims can be more complicated than other accident types for these reasons:
- Motorcycle accidents are often more severe than other types of accidents. When a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, the rider could be thrown, hit by a vehicle, or even run over. The motorcycle could slide, skid or crash into other vehicles on the road after the rider loses control. It is no surprise that injuries in motorcycle accidents are more severe than injuries in car accidents.
- Riders may be seriously injured and have trouble describing what happened. Motorcycle accidents may lead to life-threatening injuries, loss of consciousness, and other health problems. After an accident, a dazed rider may not recall what happened, so investigators often use other methods to understand how the accident occurred.
Compensation for Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries
After a motorcycle accident, you could receive compensation for:
- Medical costs stemming from the accident. This may include the medical treatment you needed following an accident as well as your future care.
- Pain and suffering you experience. After an accident, you may be dealing with physical pain from your injuries. Compensation may be available for this.
- Emotional distress you suffer because of an accident. A serious accident can lead to insomnia, depression and many other mental health issues. An accident claim can help you get compensation for those injuries.
- Property losses and vehicle damage. In a motorcycle accident, your motorcycle may be damaged along with your helmet and other personal possessions. Compensation can help you repair or replace these items.
- Lost wages and lost opportunities. After an accident, you could be out of work for a lengthy period of time. A claim can help you recover the wages that you lost because of the accident.
- Wrongful death. Sadly, riders may be killed in an accident. If you have lost a loved one, compensation may be available for your loss.
Additional types of damages may also be available after a motorcycle crash. If you have questions, speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Orange County, CA today.
How Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Orange County Can Help
A motorcycle injury attorney can help by:
- Listening to you and answering any questions. You may be recovering from serious injuries after an accident, and you may be uncertain about what comes next. A lawyer can review your case, describe your options, and fight for the recovery that you deserve.
- Managing the claim process from start to finish. A claim can be a complex and time-consuming process. The other side may refuse responsibility and insurance companies may try to lowball a settlement. A motorcycle accident lawyer can handle everything your claim needs, from serving as a point of contact to negotiating a settlement that works for you.
- Filing lawsuits against those responsible for your injuries. While many motorcycle wreck cases settle, some motorists may refuse to take responsibility for the injuries that they have caused. If that happens, a motorcycle injury attorney can gather key evidence, draft court filings, and advocate for you in court. A lawsuit can be a long and confusing process, but an experienced attorney can handle the entire process.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Take these steps to protect yourself after a motorcycle accident:
- If anyone is injured, call for help. Quick medical care can mean the difference between a rapid recovery and a life-long injury. If you or anyone else was injured, get emergency services on the scene.
- If the accident involved injury or significant property damage, call the police. They’ll prepare a report on the accident. If the damage was minor and no one was harmed, you may only need to report the accident to your insurer and the California DMV.
- Take photos of yourself and the accident. Photos of your injuries can help medical professionals and investigators understand how you were harmed. Photos of the vehicles can tell others how the vehicles collided. Photos of the accident scene (including skid marks, debris, and other objects on the road) can help investigators determine what happened.
- Do not discuss the accident with others at the scene. It is common for people to think they know who was at fault. However, the cause may not be apparent. A faulty part or a problem with the road may have caused the accident.
- Collect the name, insurance information, and driver’s license info of others involved. This information could be vital to your claim.
- Get the contact information of any eyewitnesses. People who witness an accident often leave the accident scene once the police or the medical crew arrives. If you do not get the contact information for eyewitnesses, key statements may be lost forever.
An Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer can review the facts of your motorcycle accident and advise you on your options.
What You Need to Know About Proving Fault After a Motorcycle Crash
A motorcycle accident may have multiple causes, including distracted driving by another driver, a problem with the road, defective parts, or a traffic violation. Proving fault for the accident is the first step in recovering compensation for your injuries and losses.
Investigators and attorneys will work to understand what happened in an accident. Evidence collected from the scene will help them determine who may be at fault. That evidence may include statements from the parties involved, damage and injury reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and road skid marks and debris.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
After a motorcycle accident, serious injuries are common, including:
- Head and neck injuries. Injuries to the head and neck are common in motorcycle accidents. Even with the best helmet, you can still end up with head injuries.
- Traumatic brain injury. Not all brain injuries are obvious. Even a low-speed motorcycle accident can lead to bleeding and damage to the brain.
- Spinal cord injuries. These injuries are all too common in motorcycle accidents. Spinal cord injuries can leave riders paralyzed and facing a lifetime of problems.
- Broken bones. Riders have almost no protection on the road when compared to a car or truck. Riders frequently suffer broken bones in an accident.
- Torn muscles and ligaments. Soft tissues and joints can only withstand so much force. An accident can easily lead to lasting pain and movement trouble.
- Road rash, abrasions, and cuts. In an accident, a rider may be thrown down the road. This can lead to severe injury and bleeding. These injuries may even require extensive surgery.
- Disfigurement. An accident can transform your life and leave you with lasting injuries and scarring that negatively affects your appearance.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Not being seen by others on the road. Motorcycles are often not as visible on the road as cars and trucks. California requires motorcycles manufactured in the past several decades to use daytime running lights. However, when other drivers are distracted or not paying attention, motorcycle riders are often the people who end up hurt.
- Road obstructions and hazardous conditions. Obstructions and problems with a road’s surface can lead to motorcycle accidents.
- Left-hand turns. Cars turning left are a common source of motorcycle accidents. Drivers may fail to signal and turn in front of an approaching motorcycle. Drivers who do not see motorcycles can cause life-threatening injuries.
- Faulty parts and malfunctions. Motorcycle and car parts are designed and built by people, and people make mistakes. Whether the problem is with a part’s design, manufacture or installation, a faulty part can easily cause an accident.
Understanding California Motorcycle Laws
California has various motorcycle laws that cover licensing, registration and helmet use, and other topics:
- People must be appropriately licensed before operating a motorcycle. Riders must meet physical requirements and educational requirements, such as passing a motorcycle rider course or a written test. Riders must be at least 16 years old to get a motorcycle license.
- Helmets are required by law. Under CA law, riders must wear a helmet that has been approved by the California Department of Transportation. The state also encourages the use of eye protection and appropriate protective gear such as jackets, heavy pants, gloves, and boots.
- Daytime running lights are required by law. Motorcycles are less visible on the road than trucks and cars, but lights can help. For motorcycles manufactured after the late 1970s, California requires that motorcycles use daytime running lights.
- Lane-splitting is legal in CA. Lane splitting is the practice of a motorcycle moving between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. While this practice is not allowed in many states, California riders may take advantage of it.
If you have questions about California’s motorcycle laws and how they may apply to your case, speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Orange County, CA.
Talk to an Orange County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Now
Our knowledgeable team is always available to talk, and when you are working with us, you will always be calling the shots. After an accident, let us fight for you. For your free consultation, call us today or use our online contact form.