Recovering Damages on Your Behalf
There’s no better way to express your love of the open road than by riding a motorcycle. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are fairly common, and the injuries sustained in those kinds of accidents can be severe. Many victims face thousands of dollars in medical bills alone for a crash that wasn’t their fault. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you need a motorcycle accident attorney on your side to fight for your right to compensation.
The team at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell, A Professional Corporation, has years of experience representing clients just like you. When a motorcyclist is injured by the negligent driver of buses, trucks, or passenger vehicles, we demand full compensation for the motorcycle accident victims from the responsible parties. If you’re injured in a motorcycle collision, now or in the future, in southern California, call us at once about obtaining reimbursement for your medical treatment and related expenses with the help of an experienced Pasadena motorcycle accident lawyer. Call 626-208-9906 today to learn more about our services.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents are caused by many of the same things as car accidents. When drivers on the road aren’t paying attention or make mistakes, innocent people can be hurt. Distracted driving, drunk driving, poor road conditions, and faulty equipment can all be blamed for these dangerous scenarios.
In many motorcycle accident cases, drivers are on the lookout for cars, not other kinds of vehicles. Because motorcycles are smaller and take up less space, drivers may not notice them when they go to turn or change lanes. However, this is not a valid excuse for an accident, as all drivers must do their due diligence on the road.
The most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Left Turns
When a driver makes a left turn, there are three different directions a vehicle could be coming from: oncoming lanes, traffic to the left, and traffic to the right. When drivers fail to watch for motorcycles or misjudge the length of their turn, they can strike a motorcycle rider, causing injuries.
Lane Changes
When drivers change lanes, they are required to check their vehicle’s “blind spot,” which is the section of the road that cannot be seen with their mirrors. Most drivers are accustomed to checking for cars and trucks, but they may miss a smaller vehicle, like a motorcycle. When drivers change lanes without thoroughly checking beside them, they can cause a motorcycle crash.
What Are the Most Common Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident?
Even with the proper safety gear, motorcycle riders can suffer severe injuries after an accident. Because cars are so much larger than motorcycles and because motorcycles lack a lot of safety equipment, many motorcycle crashes cause catastrophic or even fatal injuries.
The most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Paralysis
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Road rash
- Burns
- Lacerations and cuts
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Loss of limbs
- Permanent scarring
- Coma and vegetative state
The medical bills from these extensive injuries can quickly add up. Hospital visits, physical therapy, home care, and medications all cost money that can be a burden on you and your family. Plus, if you have to take time off work for recovery, you may be losing out on wages you would have otherwise earned.
Your injuries can also impact your ability to do your job in the future. If you worked any kind of manual labor job before your injuries, you may not ever be able to return to that kind of work. This loss of income can add up over time, leading to thousands of dollars in missed earning potential. Our team of Pasadena motorcycle accident lawyers is here to help you recover these losses and get the compensation you deserve.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Seek After a Motorcycle Accident?
The damages you accrue after a motorcycle accident can be claimed as you seek compensation. Generally, any financial losses you have suffered because of the accident can be claimed. Motorcycle accident claims require you to provide details about your losses and how much they cost you over time.
Many victims claim the following after an accident:
Economic Damages
Economic damages have a specific price and are calculated easily. You can prove economic damages with bills, receipts, medical records, and other documents. Generally, economic damages include:
- Medical treatment, including present and future
- Property damage repairs or replacement
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages may be harder to calculate and generally don’t have a specific price tag attached. Our team of attorneys can help you calculate your non-economic damages and determine how much to ask for in your claim. Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or life-altering injuries
What Are the Laws About Motorcycle Riding in California?
Understanding the laws for motorcycle riders will help you through your personal injury case. In some instances, riders who were not obeying the law at the time of their accident may not be able to seek compensation. Our team will examine your case thoroughly to determine the best way to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
The laws about motorcycle riding in California include:
Licenses
Motorcyclists must have the proper license to operate a motorcycle. There are typically two categories of licenses: the M1 and the M2. However, even if you don’t have the proper license, you may still be able to make a claim after a motorcycle crash.
Lane Splitting
California law does not prohibit lane splitting. Motorcycle riders can split lanes, and drivers are expected to use caution and not open their doors or impede riders on the road.
Side-by-Side Riding
Motorcycles are allowed to ride two-by-two in California when there are at least two lanes of travel going in the same direction. Riders must use necessary caution.
Safety Gear
All riders must wear a helmet approved by the federal government. Unfortunately, California law allows defendants to raise an issue when accident victims are not wearing helmets. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer on our team for more information.
Who is At Fault in a Motorcycle Accident?
Assigning fault is one of the most important parts of filing a personal injury claim. In California, it’s possible for more than one party to be at fault for your injuries and damages. When you work with our personal injury attorneys, we will examine evidence like the police report, eyewitness testimonies, photos and videos from the accident, and law enforcement to determine who the at-fault party is.
If the court determines that both you and the defendant share fault, you can still seek compensation for your damages. California is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning that your damages will be reduced based on the percentage you are found at fault. Our team can represent you before a judge to ensure you are treated fairly and without bias.
What Does a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Do?
As your motorcycle accident attorneys, our team will walk you through your personal injury claim from beginning to end. We will answer all of your questions and create a legal strategy to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
As your legal team, we will take the following steps when pursuing your case:
- Investigating the accident, including talking to eyewitnesses, gathering accident reports, and collecting medical records.
- Assigning liability to one or multiple parties responsible for your injuries.
- Making an insurance claim and talking to your insurance company on your behalf.
- Negotiating with insurance agents to reach a higher settlement.
- Pursuing your case in court if necessary.
- Representing you before a judge and providing evidence to bolster your claim.
Experienced, Trustworthy Pasadena Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Working with a motorcycle accident attorney is the best way to recover compensation and get the money you need as you heal from your injuries. Medical bills, lost wages, property damage repairs, and other financial losses add up quickly, leaving you and your family struggling.
If you’ve sustained serious injury in a motorcycle accident in southern California, and someone else’s negligence caused your accident and injury, promptly contact an experienced Pasadena motorcycle accident attorney at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell, A Professional Corporation. Get the trustworthy legal representation you need and call us today at 626-208-9906 or contact us online right now to schedule a free initial consultation.
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