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Motorcycles lack the same protections as passenger vehicles, so motorcyclists typically suffer significantly worse injuries and damages after a collision. These injuries can be long-lasting, disabling, and even fatal. When an accident is not your fault, you have the right to recover compensation for the cost of your losses, including medical treatment and the long-term care needed to support yourself. An Echo Park motorcycle accident lawyer can help you file a claim.
At the Law Offices of Carl D. Barnes, we protect the financial futures and legal rights of those who are victims of motorcycle accidents. The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be incredibly difficult, whether you are dealing with severe pain and life-altering injuries or the loss of a loved one. Compensation does not make up for these significant losses. Instead, it can give you financial certainty as you recover while holding the responsible party accountable.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Carl D. Barnes have more than 40 years of experience in personal injury law, including injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents. We investigate and build your case to get the most from your claim, negotiating with insurance providers for what you are owed. We can provide you with compassionate legal support as we fight for your justice.
If you can prove that the other party is fully liable for the accident, then you can recover the entirety of your damages in compensation. This exact amount is entirely reliant on the specific damages you sustained. An insurance or civil claim will primarily recover compensatory damages, which include both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are financial losses that have exact documentable costs. These include:
Noneconomic damages are losses that are subjective and don’t have set monetary values. These include pain and suffering damages. These are the physical, emotional, and psychological suffering and pain from an injury. The value of these damages is generally relative to the severity of the injury and how long it is going to affect you. Damages could include:
A claim, in rare cases, could recover punitive damages, which are different from compensatory damages. Instead of compensating you for a loss, punitive damages are awarded to punish the at-fault party for their behavior. These damages are awarded by a court if your claim goes to litigation.
The aid of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney is crucial, as they can accurately determine what damages can result in fair compensation. Many people do not realize the true extent of the damages available to them, particularly in long-term losses or noneconomic damages. This can lead them to take a low settlement, thus encountering serious financial difficulties in the future with no method of recourse. An attorney can help prevent that.
There isn’t an average payout for a motorcycle accident in California, as every person’s settlement will be entirely unique to their damages and the other circumstances of their accident. The damages you suffered will affect your settlement the most, including the dollar value of medical bills, lost income, lost earning capacity, property damage, and non-financial damages, like pain and suffering.
Settlements will also vary based on other factors, like the evidence that can be gathered to support your claim and your attorney’s skill and experience in motorcycle accident claims.
If you are in a motorcycle accident in Echo Park, you should do the following to protect your health and future interests:
In California, motorcycle accident attorneys usually charge a contingency fee. By using a contingency fee, injured individuals do not have to worry about the costs of legal support, allowing them to secure much higher settlements than they would have without an attorney. If the attorney does not successfully recover you a settlement after a motorcycle accident, then you don’t owe any attorney’s fees. If an attorney does obtain a settlement, then they receive their fees from a percentage of the final settlement.
A motorcycle accident in California that results in personal injury has a statute of limitations of two years from the date when the accident occurred. Most motorcycle claims are filed as insurance claims, which have a shorter window to file. While negotiating these insurance claims, it’s important to be aware of the two-year statute of limitations. If the insurance adjuster will not agree to a fair settlement, then you should file the claim before the deadline. If you don’t, you lose the ability to recover compensation.
When you need compassionate and dedicated legal support to hold negligent parties liable for their actions, contact the Law Offices of Carl D. Barnes. We can help you get the justice you are owed.
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Suite 350 Pasadena, CA 91107
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