California Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
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Our California Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Offers Legal Representation For Injured Victims
When choosing a California motorcycle accident law firm for representation, the process can feel overwhelming and even daunting. The State Bar of California licenses approximately 266,000 attorneys in the state, and approximately 190,000 are actively practicing. In 2017, roughly 18 percent of them were noted as personal injury lawyers, which brings your number down to about 34,200 attorneys to choose from.
Motorcycle accident victims have the right to pursue monetary damages for their injuries and losses. At Arash Law, we assist clients throughout the process of seeking compensation for damages. Call our California motorcycle accident law firm at (888) 488-1391 to book a consultation with one of our attorneys. We’ll have a look at your case at no cost to you so that you can make informed decisions on your next steps.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
The Severity Of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are considered among the most severe crashes in California. That is because motorcycles lack the barricades of protection a car would have in an accident.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2018, there were 109,000 motorcycle accidents in California. Of those, 5,115 were fatal, and 79 thousand of those accidents involved injuries. Another 25 thousand involved property damage only, meaning no loss of life or injury.
Motorcycle accidents are severe, and those injuries are equally as serious. If you’re planning to take action, call our California motorcycle accident team at Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 to determine how to get your claim started.
The Most Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
Without the protection of airbags, door beams, roofs, and cushioning, motorcyclists in accidents are more likely to be severely injured for life than those in cars in the event of a crash. Before a victim files an injury claim, understanding what led to the accident is important to determining who may be responsible for the crash.
The leading causes of motorcycle accidents are as follows:
- Speeding
- Driver or biker inexperience
- Unsafe conditions
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper turns
- Distracted or reckless driving
- Malfunctioning or defective motorcycles
- Impaired visibility
- Failing to avoid colliding with an object
- Lane-splitting
Lane-Splitting Motorcycle Accidents — We Can Help
The motorcycle accident team at Arash Law has represented many cases where lane-splitting was an issue. Lane-splitting might be the most talked-about motorcycle law in California. It might even be the most discussed in the nation. It’s controversial, and some even say it errs on the side of car drivers.
California is the only state in the nation where lane-splitting by motorcyclists is legal. Lane splitting is a practice used by motorcyclists to drive on the lane dividers and move between vehicles to move up the roads faster. During a traffic jam, they like being able to do this. Some say that this practice causes more deaths, but that isn’t always the case.
Lane-splitting was originally outlawed in California, as it has been in every other state. But in 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 51, removing the ban on lane-splitting. The language of the law reads to allow the California Highway Patrol to provide more education on this practice. Motorcyclists are recommended to exercise caution when lane-splitting.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Most Common Motorcycle Injuries
Motorcycle injuries are considered deadly. If not fatal, they tend to be among the most severe injuries seen in any collision. This is why they are seen as accidents that are scarier than most.
The following are the most common injuries in a motorcycle accident:
- Head injury, traumatic brain injury, concussions.
- Fractures (the most common are the shoulder and pelvis).
- Muscle damage.
- Soft tissue skin damage/Road rash (can include first, second, or third-degree burns).
- Biker’s arm (nerve damage in the upper arm could lead to permanent paralysis).
Any of these injuries can bring serious consequences to your day-to-day life. Call us at (888) 488-1391 or book a consultation online to learn about your legal options.
Helmet Laws And Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycle riders and passengers are required by California law, CVC §27803, to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant motorcycle helmet while on the road. The California Highway Patrol may issue a warning or a fine for not wearing a helmet. With that said, even if you were not wearing a helmet, you may still be eligible to seek damages in an accident.
Motorcycle accident claims can be tricky, but so can every other accident claim. You might be made to feel like you are at fault if you weren’t wearing a helmet. Or, someone may say you weren’t when you were.
California is a pure comparative negligence state, which means victims may still pursue damages, but the payout will be reduced based on their percentage of fault. Comparative negligence means that a jury or the lawyers will determine the percentage of fault for each party. If “not wearing a helmet” does not impact your injuries or claim, it will become a moot point.
The helmet alone is not an immediately correctable problem. In other words, what is done is done. Wear one because head injuries will change your life and the lives of your loved ones. But in an accident where another party is bringing it up, it isn’t likely to impact the case too much. Penalties for not wearing a helmet are fines and warnings by the California Highway Patrol if that is the only violation in the case.
Contact us if you have concerns about helmet issues in your case. We’ll evaluate the circumstances and discuss potential strategies. Contact our California motorcycle accident law firm at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial case review.
Damages After A Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle accident can be severe and costly. These are the most common damages after a motorcycle accident:
- Medical Costs — Past, present, and future. It may even include travel for specialists and rehab.
- Property Damage — Full repair costs or replacement of the pre-cash value of a totaled vehicle.
- Lost Wages — If you lose work because of this, you can be compensated, including wages for lost future earnings.
- Pain and Suffering — California law allows victims to seek monetary compensation for emotional distress and pain due to injuries.
- Punitive Damages — If another party engaged in serious wrongdoing, there are punitive damages that may provide compensation. These are awarded by the court in rare instances.
Call Our California Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
Motorcycle accidents are among the most traumatizing because the injuries are severe and life-changing. If you or someone you know has been in one, we can help. For decades, we’ve been helping California residents pursue damages from motorcycle accidents.
Our motorcycle accident law firm can review your case at no cost to you and let you know your legal options to pursue damages. Call Arash Law’s motorcycle accident lawyers at (888) 488-1391 to start your claim.
