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Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles due to someone else’s negligence? You may have the right to hold them accountable. Our experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers can help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and suffering. Call M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers at (877) 300-4535 for a free consultation.

We are award-winning attorneys with a demonstrated ability to win the toughest cases. We’ve won more than $400 Million in life-changing settlements and verdicts for injury victims and their families in Southern California.

Contact our Los Angeles law firm to learn about your legal rights and options today. There’s no fee unless we win your motorcycle crash case.

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How M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Los Angeles

How M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident

M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers should be your first call after you get hurt. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have the experience, resources, and skills you need to win your case.

We’re known and respected trial attorneys in Southern California. We’ve recovered over $400 million in compensation and earned membership in respected legal organizations like the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100.

When you hire our Los Angeles, California personal injury law firm, you can expect us to:

Handle your insurance claim and/or lawsuit from start to finish
Explain all of your options for recovery and keep you in the loop throughout the process
Investigate your motorcycle crash to determine why it happened and who’s liable
Anticipate attempts to “victim blame” and derail your personal injury case
Enlist motorcycle accident experts – from doctors to crash reconstructionists to vocational specialists – to evaluate the full scope and impact of your wreck
Help you make important decisions – like whether it’s best to accept a settlement offer or if it’s better to go to trial

Let M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers take care of insurance companies and other tough defendants, so you can focus on your physical and mental recovery. We’ll work tirelessly to win your case and get you every cent you deserve.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles?

There are more than 785,000 motorcycles registered in the state of California. Los Angeles and other areas in Southern California are among the most popular places to ride. So, it’s not surprising that car accidents involving motorcycles are quite common in the area.

According to the Office of Traffic Safety, there were a total of 3,971 motorcycle crashes resulting in injury or death in Los Angeles County in 2019. The city of Los Angeles alone saw 1,305 of these wrecks.

That’s between 3 and 4 motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles every single day. And, that figure doesn’t even factor in crashes that only cause damage to property.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in LA?

Motorcycle accidents are, most often, avoidable. All motorists on the road share a responsibility to use caution and travel in a way that doesn’t put others at risk.

However, as we’ve seen, motorcycle accidents happen often in Los Angeles, California.

Most often, one or more of these factors play a role:

Speeding
Distractions, such as texting and driving
Drugs and alcohol
Fatigue
Lane splitting
Failure to yield the right of way
Tailgating
Unsafe lane changes
Unsafe turns
Failure to stop or slow down at intersections
Limited visibility
Hazardous road conditions
Vehicle malfunction or defect

Determining the specific cause(s) of a motorcycle accident is the first step toward building a strong claim for damages. Once we know why a crash happens we can begin to build a case against liable parties.

How Much Money is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

The financial costs of a motorcycle accident can be incredibly high. The more serious your injuries, the higher the cost of recovery. Factor in the pain and suffering you experience, and you could be looking at a motorcycle accident claim that’s worth tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions.

Every case is different. Here are the factors that will influence the valuation of your motorcycle accident case:

What types of injuries did you suffer in your motorcycle crash?
Are you expected to make a full physical recovery?
If not, what level of disability or impairment will you have?
Has your ability to work and make money been affected?
Will you require nursing care or assistance performing daily tasks (e.g., bathing, eating, using the bathroom)?
What kind of out-of-pocket costs do you have?
Did you take steps to mitigate your injuries?
Do you share any responsibility for your motorcycle wreck?

Don’t underestimate the impact of your injuries. Speak with our qualified and experienced motorcycle accident attorneys near you in Los Angeles to better understand what your case might be worth.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident in Los Angeles?

What Types of Damages Are Awarded to Motorcycle Accident Victims?

You can recover compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages you experience because of an accident.

Economic damages put you back in the financial position you were in before your accident and can include money for:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Disability
Nursing care
Property damage
Funeral costs if a motorcycle accident is fatal.

Non-economic damages make up for the consequences of an accident that don’t have a set financial value, such as:

Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Loss of quality of life
Disfigurement
Loss of consortium

In rare situations, punitive damages might also be applicable. However, there must be convincing evidence that the defendant acted with malice or a reckless disregard for your rights.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

As a rider, you’re still vulnerable to catastrophic injuries.

These can include:

Burns and road rash
Broken bones
Trauma to the face and eyes
Neck and back injury
Spinal cord injury
Paralysis
Amputation
Crushing injury
Internal organ damage
Chest injury
Joint injury
Wrongful death

Wearing a helmet means that you’re statistically less likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury or die if you’re involved in an auto accident.

Seek medical attention immediately after a motorcycle crash in Los Angeles, CA. Getting the care you need will help to ensure that your all injuries are diagnosed and treated. Additionally, it’ll establish a causal link between the accident and your injuries. The stronger this link, the more likely it is that you’ll win maximum compensation.

California Helmet Law and Motorcycle Accident Claims

Motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of a brain injury by 69% and the risk of fatality by 42%. Accordingly, California law requires all drivers and passengers to wear helmets when riding a motorcycle.

The helmet must comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. A helmet that meets this requirement will have a manufacturer-applied label affixed to the back. It must also fit snugly and be securely fastened while riding.

If you fail to wear a helmet and are in a collision, it could significantly impact your accident claim – even if the other driver was at fault. For instance, if you suffer a head injury and file a claim for damages, the defendant will use your failure to wear a helmet against you. Not only is it breaking the law, but your injuries may have been less severe if you wore a helmet during the crash.

However, this defense won’t be as effective if you suffer a broken leg. A helmet won’t prevent that type of injury.

If you were in a crash while not wearing a helmet, you could still be entitled to compensation under California’s pure comparative negligence law. Contact us today to discuss your claim, and we’ll evaluate your options.

Who is Liable for Motorcycle Accidents While Lane Splitting?

Lane splitting refers to a motorcycle driving between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Currently, California is the only state that permits lane splitting. However, it can be dangerous for all parties involved, so motorcyclists should be cautious.

Since lane splitting is legal in California, a motorcyclist won’t necessarily be liable for an accident so long as they were acting reasonably under the circumstances. For example, passenger vehicle drivers can be held responsible if they intentionally block a motorcycle from passing and cause harm.

On the other hand, if a motorcyclist is excessively speeding between slow-moving cars and causes a collision, they may be liable for resulting damages.

Contact our Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers if you were in a crash while lane splitting. We’ll investigate the accident to determine who is liable and help you recover compensation, even if you were partially at fault.

How Long Do I Have To File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in California?

What’s the Deadline For Filing a Motorcycle Injury Lawsuit in California?

The statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits in California is two years for lawsuits involving injuries and wrongful death.

There are instances when the time limit might be different, but those are the exception, not the rule.

For example, government claims are subject to accelerated timetables. You’ll have just six months to file a claim with the responsible.

Other times, you might have additional time to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations can be tolled in some situations, like when a minor is involved or a defendant can’t be located.

Don’t miss the deadline that applies. If you do, you’ll lose the opportunity to secure damages from those responsible.

Can I Still Get Money If I Share Some of the Blame For a Motorcycle Wreck in Southern California?

Yes, as long as you’re not 100 percent at fault. Under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, your damages will be reduced in direct proportion to your share of fault. For example, damages valued at $100,000 could be cut down to $75,000 if you’re assigned 25 percent fault.

In all likelihood, other parties will try to blame you. Make sure you’re ready to fight back and defend yourself. Better yet, hire our law firm to handle these tactics for you.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Los Angeles

The steps you take after a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles can significantly affect your claim for damages.

Here’s what you should do after a motorcycle collision:

Move to Safety and Call the Police: It’s always best to call 911 after an accident, especially as a motorcyclist. These collisions can cause severe injuries, and you may need immediate medical attention. Additionally, a police officer will complete an accident report detailing the parties involved, what happened, and other pertinent information about the crash. This will be vital evidence in a claim or lawsuit.
Remember not to admit fault, even if you think you were to blame for the accident. You may be disoriented, and an investigation may reveal facts you were unaware of at the time.
Exchange and Gather Information: If you can, exchange information with the drivers involved in the crash and eyewitnesses. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including damage to your motorcycle and the vehicle, your injuries, the position of each vehicle, skid marks, etc.
The police report will be crucial evidence, but so will your documentation of the accident scene.
Seek Prompt Medical Treatment: If you aren’t transported to the hospital from the accident scene, seek prompt medical attention. You may have an underlying injury that doesn’t present symptoms right away. You’ll also want a medical record to establish that the collision caused your injuries.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: Motorcycle accidents can be frightening and stressful. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, allow our lawyers to fight for compensation to get you back on your feet.

What Do I Need to Build a Strong Motorcycle Accident Case?

Motorcycle accident claims can be complex, particularly if the motorcyclist suffered severe and life-altering injuries.

Here is some evidence you’ll need to build a strong case after a motorcycle collision:

Proof That You Were Wearing a Helmet

California law requires that all motorcyclists wear a helmet while riding. If you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, the defendant will use that against you to limit their financial liability. If you wear a helmet camera, that will be even better to show how the accident happened and who may be at fault.

Medical Records

You need medical documentation to prove that the accident caused your injuries. Seeking prompt medical attention after your collision will be strong evidence that the crash directly led to your injuries. Your physician may also be a vital witness to testify regarding the severity of your injuries and how they impact your daily life.

Witnesses to the Accident

After your accident, you or the attending police officer should collect contact information from any eyewitnesses. They may be able to testify on your behalf and demonstrate that the other driver was at fault.

Expert Witness Testimony

The other party may deny liability or say you were partially at fault. An accident reconstructionist can evaluate the accident scene and determine how the collision occurred, who is at fault, and other essential information to build a strong case for damages. You may also need medical or financial experts to testify how the accident affects your quality of life and the economic impact of your injuries.

What Factors Can Affect My Claim for Motorcycle Accident Compensation?

Motorcycle collisions can be devastating and affect your life forever. You may be unable to engage in the activities you enjoy or work in the same capacity as before the accident. If another party caused the accident, the compensation you receive should cover your financial losses and emotional trauma.

However, many factors may negatively affect the damages you recover in a motorcycle accident claim, including:

Your Failure to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet: Since all California motorcyclists must wear a helmet while riding, failing to wear one could negatively impact your claim. A defendant will assert that you weren’t wearing a helmet to place some of the blame on you and limit their liability. However, this may not affect your case in all situations, such as if you suffered an injury to a different part of your body (e.g., a broken foot).

Driving Without a Valid Motorcycle License: All motorcyclists in California must have a valid license to operate a motorcycle. If you’re involved in a crash while driving with an invalid, revoked, suspended, or no license, you may face penalties and lose compensation in a civil lawsuit.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol: If you were involved in a crash while driving your motorcycle under the influence, it will negatively impact your claim for damages. You may also face criminal penalties. The other driver will understandably claim that your DUI contributed to the accident. You may still be entitled to recover compensation if the other driver was at fault, but California’s pure comparative negligence law will likely reduce the money you receive.

Your Contribution to the Cause of the Accident: There are many ways you may contribute to the cause of the collision. For example, you may share the blame if you are an inexperienced rider and engage in reckless lane splitting. If you are fatigued, you may not be as aware of your surroundings and therefore cannot drive defensively. These are factors that the defendant can raise to assert that you were partially at fault for the accident.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers - Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA near you

Call M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, California. Our Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers will help you seek maximum damages from all responsible parties.

You’ll benefit from decades of experience and a team that’s won $400 Million (and counting) for injury victims in Los Angeles. Get our law firm in your corner by calling today. Your initial consultation is absolutely free, so contact us today.

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