call us today!
Motorcycling is a year-round sport here in Long Beach. The arid Southern California climate provides the 462,081 residents of Long Beach with mild weather that’s perfect for motorcycle enthusiasts and their passengers to head out on the highway for a day’s ride.
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents injure far too many riders here in Long Beach. A motorcycle rider is no match in a collision with a commercial truck, sports utility vehicle (SUV), or passenger vehicle.
After a motorcycle accident occurs, injured victims may need the services of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
Most motorcycle accident cases involve serious injuries that can be life-altering for those involved. Motorcycle accident victims may have suffered far too much physical or other damage in the collision to actively pursue a motorcycle accident claim against the negligent individual or parties.
By retaining the Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyers at JDW Personal Injury, you can be assured that our dedicated legal professionals will handle all of the following for you after your motorcycle crash here in Long Beach.
Do you have a valid motorcycle accident claim? Just because you got injured in a motorcycle crash doesn’t mean you have a legitimate injury claim against another individual’s insurance company.
You can get a no-obligation, free consultation if you suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident. We will review the facts and circumstances of your Long Beach motorcycle wreck and advise you on the best path to seek civil justice.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, the evidence-gathering process ideally begins at the crash scene. That’s where our skilled and resourceful motorcycle accident attorney begins their investigation of all our clients’ motorcycle crashes.
Responding immediately after a crash, our Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyers can obtain witness statements and nearby video surveillance tapes. We will act quickly to preserve this evidence for any personal injury lawsuit arising after the collision with the at-fault party.
Do you know how much your Long Beach motorcycle accident claim is worth? Unless you are a California civil law attorney who routinely handles motorcycle accident cases, chances are pretty good that you do not.
You can be sure that the insurance adjuster for the at-fault driver is counting on your not knowing the actual value of your motorcycle accident damage claim. Adjusters know claimants routinely undervalue their claims and accept the lowball offers insurance companies toss them.
Clients who retain a Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyer to negotiate and/or litigate their claims typically receive larger settlements and judgments than those who try to manage their claims.
Your motorcycle accident case will likely settle before you step into the courtroom before a judge or jury. After all, only 3% to 4% of all civil court cases wind up litigated in court. Most settle during negotiations between the motorcycle accident lawyer and the insurance company for the defendant.
But never fear. Should your case fail to settle for a fair offer of compensation, our seasoned Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyer will fight aggressively for your right to seek compensation for your damages, catastrophic injuries, and other losses.
Those who suffer injuries in Long Beach motorcycle accidents may be debilitated and unable to file motorcycle accident claims. They are busy trying to recover from the personal injuries they sustained in the collision. Motorcycle accident victims who retain a motorcycle accident attorney to manage their injury claims have one less thing to worry about while they recuperate.
The California Office of Traffic Safety tracks vehicle collision rates around the state. In 2020 (the latest year for which there are available statistics), there were 128 people injured or killed in motorcycle accidents here in Long Beach.
Those figures represent nearly a 5% uptick from the 122 individuals hurt or killed while riding motorcycles in 2019.
The state of California has some robust safety regulations in place that are designed to make motorcycle accidents less likely to happen. Although it may be impossible to prevent every motorcycle crash in Long Beach, motorcycle riders can lower their risk of suffering disabling injuries by always wearing protective riding gear every time they ride.
The law is very clear about motorcycle riders and helmet usage — it’s the law for every rider and their passenger to have a United States Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant helmet whenever they ride a motorcycle.
California laws are unique in many ways, including California being the only state officially allowing motorcycle lane splitting for riders. When riders’ lane split, they move between standard lanes of traffic, i.e., riding along the middle line when other drivers are at a standstill on the freeway.
Motorcycle accidents happen for various reasons; no two wrecks are the same. However, research has shown that there are some common causes for many motorcycle accidents here in Long Beach.
Below are some dangerous behaviors that can lead to collisions and motorcycle accident injuries.
Drivers engage in far too many non-driving behaviors while behind the wheel. Below are just a few of the things that distract drivers:
When a passenger truck or car driver diverts their focus from the road ahead, they pose enhanced dangers to motorcyclists and others with whom they share the roads.
Excessive speed causes accidents and serious injuries that can generate motorcycle accident claims by injured motorcyclists here in Los Angeles County.
A motorcyclist injured in a wreck may have a solid personal injury case against an at-fault driver’s insurance company if the biker has injuries sustained in a Long Beach motorcycle accident.
Poor technical driving skills by four-wheeled motorists, e.g., not yielding the right of way, can cause serious injury to those riding two-wheeled cycles.
A serious crash may occur when drivers and motorcyclists operate their vehicles under the influence. But what many people don’t realize is that impairment doesn’t always come from drinking alcohol. Using legally prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can lead to intoxication in car and motorcycle drivers.
As we stated above, lane splitting is not illegal for motorcyclists riding here in California. But that doesn’t make it a safe driving move.
Splitting lanes remains controversial, as there are legitimate concerns that motorcyclists position themselves far too close to pockets of congested traffic. Unfortunately, engaging in this legal practice could turn an ordinary ride into a serious motorcycle crash.
Since motorcycles do not protect riders who get into wrecks, even minor accidents can lead to more serious injuries. Below are some common injuries that can result from a motorcycle collision:
As one can imagine, the medical bills can quickly mount for hospital treatment, occupational and physical therapy, and other medical costs involved in a wrongful death or motorcycle wreck case.
Motorcycle accident injuries can be lethal. Even when their injuries are survivable, motorcyclists may be laid up for weeks or months recuperating from their injuries. Some bikers may never again be able to work and earn a living to support themselves and their families.
If you were involved in a motorcycle collision, note the vehicle description. You should share all those details with the officer taking the police report at the accident scene.
If you can do so safely despite your injuries, motorcycle crash attorneys recommend snapping a few shots of the wreck’s aftermath. Those few shots could be pivotal when a motorcycle accident lawyer prepares to negotiate a personal injury settlement for the maximum compensation possible.
You also need to seek medical attention after a motorcycle crash injures you. Since not all crash injuries are immediately evident and adrenaline can mask serious symptoms, do not delay seeking treatment.
California is one of the states that follow a regime of comparative negligence. That means injured accident victims can still recover damages in a fair settlement from other negligent parties as long as the victims show that they were less than 100% liable for the collision.
The burden of proof remains on the plaintiff’s Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney. In such a case, they must be able to prove that it was the defendant’s negligence that caused the injuries because:
Unless all of the above apply, plaintiffs do not have a cause of action to seek damages from the defendant.
If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle wreck caused by an at-fault driver, you can only recover compensation by claiming damages before the statute of limitations expires.
California’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. Suppose you fail to settle your case and preserve your legal right to recover damages. In that case, a motorcycle accident attorney can file the lawsuit so you can recover the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.
While many states limit the number of damages for plaintiffs, there are no damage caps on the financial compensation your Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney can seek under California law.
If the other motorist was deemed liable for the accident that injured you or claimed the life of your loved one, you could seek financial compensation sufficient to cover physical therapy, past, present, and future medical treatment, and even loss of companionship in some circumstances.
These damages are more easily quantifiable because they include all your medical bills, lost wages, the costs to repair or replace your wrecked motorcycle, and other expenses associated with the crash.
These damages are intangible amounts that a personal injury lawyer can seek from the company that insured the liable driver. Pain and suffering compensation is added as non-economic damage.
Did you get hurt while riding your motorcycle? If you got into a collision caused by a negligent motorist, you could schedule a free consultation with the reputable and experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at JDW Personal Injury.
Call us at (562) 669-2761 or online using our handy form.
We Are Here For You In Your Time Of Need.
Call Today To Speak With One Of Our Attorneys.