Alhambra Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Many motorcycle crashes are preventable. They occur because another driver fails to pay attention, violates traffic laws, or simply does not take enough care to look for motorcycles.

Common causes include:

• Drivers turning left in front of approaching motorcycles
• Unsafe Lane Changes
• Failure to check blind spots
• Distracted driving
• Texting while driving
• Speeding
• Following motorcycles too closely
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failure to yield
• Driving under the influence
• Opening a parked vehicle's door into a rider's path
• Aggressive and reckless driving

Motorcycle accidents can also be caused or worsened by dangerous road conditions, defective motorcycle components, or other factors.

Determining why the crash happened is one of the first steps toward identifying who may be legally responsible.

Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents

Left-turn collisions are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists.

A driver may enter an intersection or turn across traffic without recognizing an approaching motorcycle. In other situations, the driver sees the motorcycle but incorrectly judges its speed or distance.

The rider is suddenly left with very little time or space to avoid a collision.

These accidents can result in a motorcycle striking the side of a turning vehicle or a vehicle striking the motorcycle directly.

Evidence such as witness statements, photographs, traffic-camera footage, vehicle damage, and the police report may help determine how the collision occurred.

Motorcycle Accidents on the I-10 Freeway

The San Bernardino Freeway (I-10) is a major route for drivers traveling through and around Alhambra and the San Gabriel Valley.

Motorcycle crashes at freeway speeds can be particularly severe. Riders may also face additional danger from surrounding traffic after the initial impact.

Freeway motorcycle accidents can involve:

• Unsafe merging
• Sudden lane changes
• Drivers failing to check blind spots
• Rear-end collisions
• Stop-and-go traffic
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Road debris
• Commercial vehicles
• Multi-vehicle crashes

Determining liability can become more complicated when several vehicles are involved. A thorough investigation may be necessary to identify each driver or other party who contributed to the accident.

Serious Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Crashes

Unlike occupants of passenger vehicles, motorcycle riders have no enclosed passenger compartment protecting them during a collision.

A rider may be struck directly by a vehicle, thrown from the motorcycle, or injured when hitting the pavement or another object.

Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Concussions
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Shoulder and arm injuries
• Leg and knee injuries
• Internal injuries
• Nerve damage
• Severe road rash
• Facial injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Amputation
• Paralysis

Some injuries heal within months. Others can create permanent limitations that affect a person's employment, independence, relationships, and quality of life.

That is why a motorcycle accident claim should consider both the immediate consequences of an injury and its potential long-term effects.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?

The compensation available depends on the facts of the accident and the losses you have suffered.

A motorcycle accident claim may seek compensation for damages such as:

• Ambulance and emergency treatment
• Hospital bills
• Surgery
• Doctor appointments
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Future medical care
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Motorcycle repair or replacement
• Other property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability
• Scarring and disfigurement

Serious injuries can result in expenses that continue long after an insurance company wants to close a claim. Understanding the potential future impact of an injury is therefore important before accepting a settlement.

What If the Insurance Company Blames You?

Motorcyclists sometimes encounter stereotypes that other accident victims do not.

An insurance adjuster may suggest that a rider was speeding, riding aggressively, lane splitting improperly, or otherwise responsible for an accident—even when the evidence tells a different story.

You do not have to accept the insurance company's determination of fault.

An investigation can examine evidence including:

• Police accident reports
• Crash-scene photographs
• Motorcycle and vehicle damage
• Witness statements
• Surveillance and traffic-camera footage
• Medical records
• Physical evidence from the roadway
• Electronic or cell phone records when relevant
• Accident reconstruction evidence in appropriate cases

California's comparative-fault rules can also allow compensation when more than one person contributed to an accident, although a victim's recovery can be reduced according to their percentage of responsibility.

What Should You Do After an Alhambra Motorcycle Accident?

Your health should be the first priority after a crash. Seek medical attention, particularly if you struck your head, were thrown from your motorcycle, or are experiencing significant pain.

If you can safely do so, documenting the accident scene may also be valuable. Take photographs or video of your motorcycle, the other vehicles, roadway conditions, traffic signs or signals, debris, skid marks, and visible injuries.

Get contact information from witnesses and keep records of your medical treatment, expenses, time missed from work, and communications with insurance companies.

You should also be careful when speaking with another driver's insurer. A seemingly routine recorded statement could later become part of a dispute over liability or the extent of your injuries.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident?

The other driver is often the primary responsible party, but that isn't true in every case.

Depending on what caused the crash, potentially liable parties could include:

• A negligent driver
• Multiple drivers
• An employer whose employee caused a collision while working
• A commercial vehicle company
• A vehicle or motorcycle component manufacturer
• A property owner
• A government entity responsible for certain dangerous roadway conditions

Identifying every potentially responsible party is particularly important when a motorcycle accident causes catastrophic injuries and substantial financial losses.

Motorcycle Property Damage Claims

A serious crash can cause thousands of dollars in motorcycle damage or destroy a bike completely.

Property damage claims can involve the cost of repairs or the value of a motorcycle that has been declared a total loss.

Keep photographs of the motorcycle after the crash along with repair estimates, receipts, information about upgrades or accessories, and other documentation relating to its value.

The Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Guys understand that the motorcycle itself matters to riders, and property damage should not be overlooked while addressing the injury portion of a claim.

Fatal Motorcycle Accidents and Wrongful Death

Some families unfortunately contact a motorcycle accident attorney after losing a loved one.

When a rider dies because of another person's negligence or wrongful conduct, eligible surviving family members may have the right to bring a California wrongful death claim.

A wrongful death case may seek compensation for qualifying financial and personal losses resulting from the death.

No lawsuit can undo what happened, but pursuing a claim can provide financial support and hold the responsible party accountable.

Why Choose a Lawyer Who Understands Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents are not simply car accidents involving a different type of vehicle.

The mechanics of the collision are different. The injuries are frequently more severe. Motorcycle property damage requires different considerations, and injured riders can encounter bias when dealing with insurance companies.

An attorney handling a motorcycle accident claim can:

• Investigate the cause of the collision
• Preserve important evidence
• Identify potentially responsible parties
• Communicate with insurance companies
• Document medical expenses and other losses
• Evaluate the effect of long-term injuries
• Negotiate for an appropriate settlement
• Pursue additional legal remedies when necessary

Most importantly, having an attorney handle the legal and insurance issues allows you to concentrate on your medical treatment and recovery.

Talk to an Alhambra Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash in Alhambra or elsewhere in the San Gabriel Valley, you do not have to deal with the insurance company by yourself.

The Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Guys can review your accident, answer your questions, and explain the options available to you.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an Alhambra motorcycle accident lawyer.

There is no attorney fee unless compensation is recovered for you.

Alhambra Motorcycle Accident FAQs

How much is my Alhambra motorcycle accident case worth?

There is no standard settlement amount for a motorcycle accident. The value depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, future treatment needs, available insurance coverage, liability, and the accident's long-term impact on your life.

What if I was partially responsible for my motorcycle crash?

California follows a comparative-fault system. More than one person can share responsibility for an accident, and an injured person may still be able to recover damages even when partially at fault. The amount recovered can be reduced according to the person's percentage of responsibility.

Should I accept the insurance company's settlement offer?

You should understand the full extent of your injuries and losses before resolving a claim. Once a settlement and release are finalized, you generally cannot return later and demand additional compensation because your injuries turned out to be more serious than expected.

What happens if the driver who hit me doesn't have insurance?

Other potential sources of compensation may exist, including applicable uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. The available options depend on the insurance policies and circumstances surrounding the accident.

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

California law places time limits on personal injury and wrongful death claims. Different and sometimes much shorter requirements can apply to claims involving government entities. Because the applicable deadline depends on the circumstances, it is best to have your specific case reviewed promptly.

We're in Alhambra, CA

(323) 464-1281