Costa Mesa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Every motorcycle collision is different, but many serious crashes involve preventable driver errors.

Common causes include:

• Drivers turning left in front of motorcycles
• Unsafe lane changes
• Failure to check blind spots
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Following motorcycles too closely
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Driving under the influence
• Failure to yield
• Opening vehicle doors into a rider's path
• Aggressive or reckless driving

Road conditions can also contribute to motorcycle crashes. Potholes, loose debris, construction zones, uneven pavement, poor lighting, and defective traffic-control devices can create hazards that are particularly dangerous for riders.

Determining exactly what caused the accident is an important part of establishing liability.

Motorcycle Accidents at Costa Mesa Intersections

Intersections can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists because drivers frequently misjudge a motorcycle's speed or fail to see an approaching rider altogether.

Costa Mesa includes heavily traveled roads such as Harbor Boulevard, Newport Boulevard, Bristol Street, Fairview Road, Baker Street, Adams Avenue, Victoria Street, and 17th Street.

Drivers entering traffic, making left turns, or changing lanes along busy Costa Mesa streets have a responsibility to watch for motorcycles.

When they fail to do so, a rider can suffer life-changing injuries in seconds.

Motorcycle Crashes on the 55, 405 and 73 Freeways

Costa Mesa's location also puts motorcyclists near several major Orange County freeways and highways, including State Route 55, Interstate 405, and State Route 73.

Higher speeds make freeway motorcycle accidents particularly dangerous. A collision that might result in vehicle damage in a passenger-car accident can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries when a motorcycle is involved.

Freeway motorcycle accidents may involve:

• Vehicles merging into motorcycles
• Sudden lane changes
• Rear-end collisions
• Heavy traffic and sudden stops
• Distracted drivers
• Speeding vehicles
• Commercial trucks
• Road debris
• Multi-vehicle collisions

These cases can become complicated when several vehicles or insurance companies are involved. Identifying every potentially responsible party can therefore be critical to recovering full compensation.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists have very little protection when struck by another vehicle or thrown from their bike.

Even riders wearing appropriate protective equipment can suffer serious injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head and facial injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Broken and fractured bones
• Shoulder injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Severe road rash
• Nerve damage
• Leg, knee and foot injuries
• Hand and wrist injuries
• Permanent scarring
• Amputation
• Paralysis

Some injuries require months or years of medical treatment and rehabilitation. Others may permanently affect a rider's ability to work or enjoy the activities they did before the crash.

A motorcycle accident claim should account for more than today's medical bills. The long-term consequences of the injury also need to be considered.

What Compensation Can a Motorcycle Accident Victim Recover?

If another person caused your Costa Mesa motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for the losses resulting from the crash.

Depending on the circumstances, damages may include compensation for:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Hospitalization
• Surgery
• Doctor visits
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Motorcycle repair or replacement
• Other damaged property
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability
• Scarring and disfigurement

The value of a motorcycle accident case depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries, available insurance coverage, responsibility for the collision, required future medical care, and how the injuries affect the victim's life.

Getting Your Motorcycle Repaired After an Accident

Your physical injuries are not the only issue following a motorcycle crash.

Your bike may also need significant repairs or could be declared a total loss.

Insurance companies generally treat bodily injury and property damage as separate portions of an accident claim. We can help you understand the claims process while pursuing compensation from the responsible insurance company.

Our team understands how important motorcycles are to the riders we represent. Getting your bike repaired or properly compensated for a total loss can be an important part of moving forward after an accident.

Insurance Companies May Try to Blame the Motorcyclist

Motorcycle riders sometimes face an unfair assumption that they must have been speeding or riding recklessly simply because they were on a motorcycle.

That stereotype should not determine who was responsible for your accident. Evidence can tell the real story.

Depending on the crash, an investigation may include reviewing:

• Police reports
• Photographs and video
• Vehicle damage
• Motorcycle damage
• Witness statements
• Traffic or surveillance cameras
• Medical records
• Physical evidence from the crash scene
• Cell phone or other records when relevant

The objective is to establish how the collision occurred and prevent an insurance company from unfairly shifting responsibility to the injured rider.

What Should You Do After a Costa Mesa Motorcycle Accident?

Your health should come first. Seek medical attention after a serious motorcycle collision even if you initially believe your injuries are manageable. Some injuries may not become fully apparent until hours or days after a crash.

When circumstances permit, it can also be helpful to photograph the vehicles, motorcycle, roadway, traffic signals, skid marks, debris, and your injuries. Obtain contact information from witnesses and keep copies of documents related to your medical treatment and accident-related expenses.

Avoid giving detailed recorded statements to another driver's insurance company before understanding your rights.

You should also consider speaking with a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Important evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and insurance companies may begin investigating the accident immediately.

Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Costa Mesa

Unfortunately, some motorcycle crashes result in the loss of a rider's life.

When a motorcyclist is killed because of another person's negligence, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim.

Although no financial recovery can replace a loved one, a wrongful death case can help a family seek accountability and compensation for eligible losses resulting from the death.

Our firm can speak with your family about the circumstances of the accident and explain the legal options that may be available.

Why Hire a Lawyer Who Handles Motorcycle Accident Cases?

Motorcycle accident claims present issues that aren't always present in ordinary car accident cases.

A lawyer familiar with motorcycle crashes understands the dynamics of these collisions, the seriousness of common rider injuries, the importance of motorcycle property damage, and the biases riders can encounter during the insurance claims process.

Our team can investigate the collision, communicate with insurance companies, document your damages, and pursue a settlement that appropriately reflects your losses.

If a fair resolution cannot be reached, your attorney can discuss the additional legal options available to you.

Serving Costa Mesa and Orange County Motorcycle Riders

We help riders injured throughout Costa Mesa and surrounding Orange County communities.

Whether your crash happened on a neighborhood street, a major Costa Mesa roadway, or one of the nearby freeways, you can contact us to discuss what happened and learn about your options.

You should not have to fight an insurance company while also trying to recover from serious injuries.

Talk to a Costa Mesa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle crash, contact the Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Guys to discuss your case.

We can review the circumstances surrounding your accident, explain your options, and help determine the next steps.

Your consultation is free, and there is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Costa Mesa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a Costa Mesa motorcycle accident lawyer?

Motorcycle accident cases are typically handled on a contingency-fee basis. That means you do not pay an attorney fee upfront, and an attorney fee is collected only if compensation is recovered for you. The specific terms should be explained in your representation agreement.

What if the insurance company says I was partly responsible for the motorcycle accident?

Being accused of contributing to an accident does not automatically mean you cannot pursue compensation. California follows a comparative-fault system, so responsibility can be divided among the people involved. An attorney can investigate the evidence rather than simply accepting the insurance company's version of events.

Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?

You should be cautious about providing a recorded statement or discussing the extent of your injuries with the other driver's insurer. Statements can potentially be used when evaluating or disputing your claim. You can have an attorney communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in California?

California imposes deadlines on personal injury lawsuits, and different deadlines can apply in certain circumstances, particularly when a government entity may be involved. Because missing an applicable deadline can prevent recovery, it is important to determine the deadline for your particular case as early as possible.

Can I recover compensation if my motorcycle was totaled?

Property damage can be part of the insurance claim following a motorcycle collision. Depending on the circumstances and available coverage, compensation may be available for motorcycle repairs or the value of a motorcycle that is considered a total loss.

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