East Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

East Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accidents can cause severe, life-altering injuries that could require significant changes in your daily life to help you adjust. Due to the small size of motorcycles and their substantial speed, many drivers simply don’t notice them zipping through traffic. The resulting accidents can be catastrophic. If you survive a motorcycle accident and wish to pursue legal action, you should reach out to an East Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer today.

How to Deal With the Aftermath of a Motorcycle Accident?

A motorcycle accident can be particularly devastating, especially if you are not wearing physical protection like helmets or pads. California’s motorcycle laws require all drivers and passengers to wear helmets while operating a motorcycle. Helmets can save lives in the event of serious accidents. If you suffer a motorcycle accident and wish to pursue a personal injury claim, you should reach out to an East Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to start building a case.

In the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident in East Los Angeles, there are certain steps you can take to ensure the stability of your case and make sure you aren’t later taken advantage of by insurance companies. Here are some steps that you can take to protect yourself in the event of a motorcycle accident:

• Assess your situation. Motorcycle accidents can be sudden, painful, and disorienting. You should take a moment to calm yourself and assess your situation. Start checking yourself for any injuries. If you have a passenger, check them for injuries as well. Call 911 and get checked out by the EMTs once they arrive. Even if you don’t think you are injured, get checked out anyway.
• File a police report. If you are involved in a vehicular collision, including a motorcycle accident, you have to report the accident to the proper authorities if the accident resulted in someone’s death, serious injury, or over $1,000 in property damage. Once the police arrive to secure the accident scene, provide the officer with all the accurate details, but do not admit fault for the accident. Admitting fault can make it harder to file a claim later.
• Document the scene. While you are at the scene of the crime, if you are not too injured to do so, try and gather evidence to support your claim later. This evidence can include photos of the accident scene, photos of your injuries, conditions of the road, witness statements, the other driver’s contact information, and a detailed account of the accident itself.
• Contact your insurance. You will need to notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. When you are speaking with your insurance provider, you should tell them all the details of the accident. Be sure to reach out quickly, as the other driver will likely be doing the same and contacting their insurance company. While speaking with your provider, don’t admit fault for the accident.
• Contact a lawyer. After a motorcycle accident, it is vital that you contact a motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you develop a case and pursue damages against the driver responsible for the accident. It can be difficult to navigate a complex legal situation on your own, especially if the other driver is blaming you for causing the accident. A good lawyer can help you evaluate your claim and seek the compensation that you deserve.
• Document your recovery. Throughout your recovery process, you should keep detailed records of every hospital visit, surgical cost, medication cost, and physical therapy cost that you may need as a result of your accident.

FAQs

How Much Is a Motorcycle Accident Settlement?

There is no telling how much a motorcycle accident settlement may be. Every motorcycle accident has its own set of details and factors that are unique to that specific case. Even if multiple cases with similar details result in substantial settlement offers, it is not a guarantee that yours will yield the same result. Your settlement amount will be determined by the severity of your injuries, the amount of evidence you can gather, and your lawyer’s negotiation skills.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

The statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident claim in California is two years. That means you will have two years in which to build a case, file a personal injury claim, and pursue compensatory damages. If you fail to file a claim within that two-year window, your case may be thrown out and your opportunity to pursue damages may pass by. It is important to start building a case quickly, as this deadline may approach sooner than you think.

What Does Comparative Negligence Mean in a Motorcycle Accident?

The state has a comparative negligence law that reduces the amount of damages that a driver can pursue in a vehicular accident claim if they are found to be at least partially at fault. Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine the exact fault in a vehicular collision. If you are found to be somewhat at fault for the accident, the amount you may be awarded in damages can be reduced by the percentage you are found to be at fault.

What Do I Do if I Am in a Motorcycle Accident?

If you are ever involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you document the scene of the accident and check yourself for any injuries you may have sustained during the accident. Documenting the scene can be greatly beneficial when the time comes to file a claim. You may need that evidence to develop your case into the strongest one you can make. Be sure to contact your insurance provider, file a police report, and report the accident to the DMV.

Reach Out to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

The legal team at the Law Offices of Carl D. Barnes can help you develop your case, gather the necessary evidence to prove your claim, and protect your interests against any insurance companies that may try to guilt or bully you into accepting an offer you may not want to accept. Contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as you can.