Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

I Was Injured in a Motorcycle Accident Do I Need an Accident Attorney?

With 800,000 registered motorcycles, California boasts the largest number of motorcyclists in any state. Unfortunately, California also sees the highest number of motorcycle-related injuries and deaths each year. In 2019 alone, California saw over 400 motorcycle-related deaths.

While that number is decreasing, California roads still pose a significant threat to motorcycle riders, given the lack of protection they have compared to other vehicle drivers. While not every accident is fatal, motorcycle crashes can have devastating impacts on the rider, including severe or disabling injuries that lead to a lower quality of life and financial strife.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in the Los Angeles area, Power Trial Lawyers is here to help. Our team of knowledgeable personal injury attorneys can guide you through your legal options following a motorcycle accident so you can spend time recovering physically, emotionally, and financially. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles

While most motorcycle accidents involve a car and a motorcyclist, motorcycle accidents may involve other motorcyclists or even pedestrians. Even when proper precautions are taken, motorcyclists are at an increased risk of severe injuries if involved in an accident.

The most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles include:

• Negligence. Driver negligence is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles. Distracted drivers often cause motorcycle accidents when they are texting and driving. Dangerous or reckless driving, including drunk driving, speeding, breaking driving laws, or ignoring a motorcyclist’s right of way, is also a frequent cause of motorcycle accidents in the state. 
• Dangerous or defective roads. Motorcycles are much more vulnerable to roadway defects than other vehicles. If a motorcyclist hits a pothole, loose gravel, rubble, debris, an unsafe construction site, or grass clippings, they can quickly lose control of the motorcycle. If a dangerous or defective road caused your motorcycle accident, you might be able to file a case against the City of Los Angeles alleging failure to maintain the safety of its roads.
• Defective motorcycles or parts. A tire blowout, brake failure, electrical problems, or other types of auto defects can all lead to a motorcycle accident and severe outcomes for the driver. If your motorcycle accident was caused by a defective motorcycle or part, the motorcycle manufacturer could owe you financial compensation through product liability laws.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, you are entitled to pursue compensation. The amount of compensation you are entitled to will depend on numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries, prognosis, and the other party’s negligence. Before filing your claim, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney at Power Trial Lawyers will help you understand what type of compensation to expect.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Due to their lack of protection, motorcyclists experience a higher risk of severe injuries or death if involved in a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a motor accident than those in other types of vehicles.

Even when wearing proper safety gear, motorcyclists are still at a high risk of injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a properly fitted helmet only reduces the risk of death by 37 percent and head trauma by 69 percent.

Power Trial Lawyers provides expert counsel to victims and their families who have suffered the following injuries:

• Broken bones
• Skull fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Lower extremity injuries
• Internal organ damage and organ failure
• Lacerations
• Road rash
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Amputations
• Crushed limbs
• Fatalities

Motorcyclists and their families are also likely to suffer emotionally and financially after an accident. Catastrophic and permanent injuries such as brain damage and paralysis can lead to lost quality of life and lost income and employment opportunities. The trauma of a collision can also severely impact a victim’s mental health for years to come. 

If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney can help you receive maximum compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial damages.Failure to act quickly in retaining an attorney could be the most significant mistake people make following a drug crime arrest. Any delay can prevent fresh and timely evidence from being collected and preserved for later use at trial.Suppose you have been accused or charged with drug possession in Pasadena, Los Angeles, Riverside, or any Southern California counties. You can trust the team at Shawky Law to turn over every stone when crafting a solid strategy to create the best possible defense for your case.If you are being investigated or arrested for drug possession, distribution, or manufacturing in California, you need to consult a drug defense attorney immediately.

Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles

A motorcycle accident can have devastating long-term impacts on victims and their families. Power Trial Lawyers can help you recover financial compensation for the following damages:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Loss of income and opportunity for gainful employment
• Disability-related costs
• Property damages, including motorcycle repairs or replacement
• Rental vehicle fees
• Legal fees and out-of-pocket costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional damages
• Diminished quality of life
• Punitive damages, in some cases

Typically, a jury will consider the severity of the victim’s injuries and the impact they’ve had on their life when determining compensation. In the event that your case settles, an insurance company will assess your damages, including medical bills, to determine their value. Insurance companies are notorious for all the ways they attempt to give injured parties less than the compensation they deserve.

Filing a Motorcycle Injury Claim

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, evidence and supporting documents will need to be collected to help prove the damages you sustained. Documents you should hold on to include medical bills, medical records, repair estimates, and the accident report. 

If possible, try to take photos of the accident scene and any damage to your motorcycle. If you were forced to miss work, keep a record of your missed work and any lost wages resulting. Witness statements are also incredibly helpful in proving your damages in court.

The more documentation you can collect to support your claim, the stronger your case will be. A personal injury attorney can help your gather information and evidence to bolster your case and prove that your damages resulted from another party’s negligence. 

The Presence of a Helmet in Motorcycle Accident Claims

California has a universal helmet law that requires all motorcyclists and their passengers to wear a federally approved helmet that fits firmly on the wearer’s head while driving. If you do not comply with this law, you could receive a traffic citation and a fine, not to mention suffering potentially severe head trauma if an accident were to occur. 

Not wearing a helmet can hurt an injury claim, as you break the law when you forego a helmet. If you fail to wear a helmet, a defendant in a motorcycle accident case may use it as evidence against you. If you sustained injuries related to the head, brain, face, or neck, a defendant might be able to argue that your lack of a helmet makes you liable for your injuries. However, the defendant will have to provide sufficient proof that the lack of a helmet contributed to your injuries. This typically requires a medical or safety expert testimony.

The failure to wear a helmet does not preclude you from receiving compensation automatically. California follows a pure comparative negligence law, which establishes that victims can recover compensation even if they are partially at fault for an injury. 

Using comparative negligence laws, the court will reduce your compensation by the percentage you are at fault for your injuries. For example, not wearing a helmet might make you 20% responsible for your head injury. In this case, you would receive 20% less compensation. 

Let Us Handle Your Motorcycle Accident Case

If you or a loved one was injured in a vehicle or motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, you need an experienced lawyer by your side to help you build a strong case and hold negligent parties accountable. Power Trial Lawyers is ready to fight for you to receive maximum compensation for your physical damages and financial suffering. Contact us today to speak with a personal injury attorney experienced in Los Angeles area motorcycle accidents.