The remuneration you obtain from your motorcycle incident is contingent upon the details of your mishap. Factors such as responsibility assignment, extent of liability, the severity of your injuries – these are just some of the elements at play. You may be awarded damages for both your non-financial and financial losses. Your financial damages encompass expenses stemming from your injury; these can include medical bills incurred due to the accident, any income you’ve lost currently or may lose in the future, the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle, and so on. If you have endured more severe injuries, your financial damages might incorporate rehabilitation, physical therapy, future medical care, home modifications, etc.
On the flip side, your non-financial damages entail your pain, emotional distress, and everything else you’ve experienced since your motorcycle accident. Your damages might encompass the so-called “Loss of Consortium,” which would be the loss of your spouse. “Loss of enjoyment of life” damages would compensate you for the inability to partake in activities you found pleasure in before the accident.
We are here to assist you in securing compensation for all you’re rightfully owed. To begin the process to recover what you deserve, reach out to an experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer today.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
Regardless of whether you were the motorcycle rider or not, California-based motorcycle accident attorney Belal Hamideh can help you get all the compensation you rightfully deserve for your ordeal if you were injured in an accident.
Motorcycle riding can bring an unmatched rush of excitement but unfortunately, it can also pose a great risk. The harm caused by a motorcycle accident tends to be more severe compared to other vehicle accidents, leading to substantial injuries or worse consequences for you and your loved ones. In California alone, over 15% of all vehicle accident fatalities are due to motorcycle accidents.
Think about the medical bills post a motorcycle accident – rehabilitation, long-term care, decreased work capacity, pain and suffering, and more. The costs can total up to millions. This is where Belal Hamideh steps in. Set up a free meeting with our team to ensure you’re fully compensated.
Is Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Worthwhile?
Definitely. The value of having a seasoned California motorcycle accident attorney by your side is indispensable. The right lawyer will fiercely safeguard your best interests and legal rights, all towards the goal of securing maximum remuneration for your claim.
An attorney skilled in handling motorcycle accident cases will be adept at accurately appraising your case to get you all the compensation you’re owed. They’re mindful of all the crucial deadlines, including lawsuit filings, submitting evidence, and more, advocating for your interests. They can guarantee your medical bills are paid at the lowest possible price, arrange for police/traffic reports, and manage various other tasks so you can focus on your recovery.
Additionally, a motorcycle accident attorney is proficient at dealing with insurance companies. They’re aware of your policies, how they apply to your claim, what the insurance company’s intentions are, and how to ensure you receive everything you’re rightfully owed from the insurance company, be it via settlement or in court. The right attorney can assist you in multiple ways.
What Compensation can I Expect for My Motorcycle Accident?
You’re eligible for compensations for both your non-economic and economic damages. Your economic damages include costs from your injury like medical bills, lost future or current income, motorcycle repair or replacement costs, and more. If your injuries are severe, your economic damages can also cover costs of rehab, physical therapy, future medical treatments, home adjustments, etc.
Your non-economic damages include your emotional suffering, pain, and all that you’ve had to cope with post the accident. Damages could also cover “Loss of Consortium” (loss of spouse) and “Loss of enjoyment of life” (not being able to partake in activities you enjoyed pre-accident). We’re here to help you get compensated for everything you’re rightfully entitled to.
Who May be Taken to Court for My Motorcycle Mishap?
You have the right to take legal action against the individual at fault for your accident. However, initiating a lawsuit is merely the first step. Furthermore, you must demonstrate the other driver’s carelessness, and that this recklessness led to your accident and subsequent harm.
To build a negligence case, you and your legal representative need to provide evidence for four key concepts. Firstly, you need to illustrate that there was a “due of care” from the defendant, referring to their obligation to drive sensibly and safely. Then, it must be shown that this duty was breached through inaction or improper action on their part. Following this, you need to connect this breach to your accident. Lastly, you must prove that you incurred damage as a consequence of the incident. An experienced lawyer can guide you through these steps.
How Much Time Will be Required to Finalize My Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Each accident is distinct, hence the duration of your case will differ. Our team has assisted numerous clients in securing settlements in just several weeks, and we aim to do the same for your case. However, the claims of some clients have lasted for years and even necessitated courtroom proceedings. We are committed to advocating forcefully on behalf of individuals like you who have been harmed in accidents. Regardless of the specifics of each case, we assure you that the earlier you engage an attorney, the quicker we can start working to guarantee you obtain everything you’re due.
Typical Motorcycle Accident Scenarios
Motorcycle collisions with larger vehicles, or being struck by them, are perhaps the most typical types of motorcycle accidents. This is particularly common in California, where our city houses the Port of California, one of the world’s most bustling commercial harbors. The daily influx and departure of countless semi-trucks and other large vehicles, coupled with the roughly 900,000 vehicles owned by the city’s inhabitants, contribute to the risks faced by motorcyclists.
Regrettably, impaired driving is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents, accounting for about a quarter of all fatal incidents. Other common causes include excessive speed, lack of biker/driver experience, heedless/distracted driving, lane splitting, etc. Many factors beyond the biker’s control, such as defective motorcycles, hazardous road conditions, and impeded visibility, also play a role.
Common injuries in motorcycle accidents comprise broken bones, whiplash, severe road rash burns, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, and partial or complete paralysis. No matter the nature of your injuries from an accident, our team is here to support you.
Steps You Should Take Following a Motorcycle Crash
In the event of an accident, you may be in a state of shock or overwhelmed by adrenaline. Here’s what to do next:
- Ensure safety first. Do your best to remove yourself from harm’s way and seek medical help, even if you feel uninjured.
- Inform the authorities. A police report could be vital for your personal injury claim.
- Exchange contact details with the other party. This includes their name, phone number, license details, address, vehicle information, and insurance data.
- Record the incident. If possible, capture photographs of your injuries and the accident site.
- Avoid admitting responsibility. There’s no need to accept blame following the crash.
- Consult a seasoned solicitor. They will guide you through every stage of the process.
What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
It is crucial to always wear a helmet while driving a motorcycle. According to California law, motorcycle riders and their passengers must always wear a helmet. In case an accident occurs and you are not wearing a helmet, you could be partially accountable for your injuries.
Still, California operates under a “comparative negligence state,” allowing you to pursue and obtain compensation for your suffering, pain, and injuries, even when you weren’t donning a helmet. We have helped many clients dealing with similar scenarios.
What If I Am Uninsured?
Even without insurance, you can receive compensation for your injuries if another party caused the accident. Nonetheless, your compensation will be considerably less, given the absence of liability coverage.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident without insurance but are not culpified, you will be penalized for the absence of coverage. All drivers in California are required to have liability insurance.
Particularly, the penalty will limit you from seeking compensation for your pain and suffering, known as non-economic damages. Hence, you can only claim for your economic damages. We can assist you in maximizing your recovery.
Engage a Trustworthy California Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Belal Hamideh, a reputable motorcycle accident attorney, has been aiding individuals who’ve sustained injuries in motorcycle accidents for a considerable time. Now, let him use that expertise to help your case. You will only pay once the case concludes, with no charges until we secure a win.
It may seem easy to delay contacting a solicitor post-accident, but the quicker you do, the better are your chances of maximizing compensation. You have a two-year window from the accident date to press charges for your injuries. Move swiftly and avoid the risk of missing out. We’re prepared to support you.
Motorcycle Accident Laws in California
These laws may pertain to your motorcycle accident.
California Code, Vehicle Code – VEH § 27803
(a) A driver and any passenger shall wear a safety helmet meeting requirements established pursuant to Section 27802 when riding on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.
(b) It is unlawful to operate a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a).
(c) It is unlawful to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycles, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a).
(d) This section applies to persons who are riding on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, or motorized bicycles operated on the highways.
(e) For the purposes of this section, “wear a safety helmet” or “wearing a safety helmet” means having a safety helmet meeting the requirements of Section 27802 on the person’s head that is fastened with the helmet straps and that is of a size that fits the wearing person’s head securely without excessive lateral or vertical movement.
(f) This section does not apply to a person operating, or riding as a passenger in, a fully enclosed three-wheeled motor vehicle that is not less than seven feet in length and not less than four feet in width, and has an unladen weight of 900 pounds or more, if the vehicle meets or exceeds all of the requirements of this code, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and the rules and regulations adopted by the United States Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(g) In enacting this section, it is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that all persons are provided with an additional safety benefit while operating or riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.