You may be entitled to damages if you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Santa Monica, CA. When a motorcycle crash is caused by someone else’s negligence, you can pursue compensation from the responsible party. This may be through an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit.
A Santa Monica motorcycle accident lawyer at M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue a legal case. Our lawyers have recovered over $400 million for our injured clients since 2013. We know how to maximize your chances of recovering the money you deserve.
Call us at (877) 300-4535 to set up a free consultation and learn more about your legal options after a motorcycle crash in Santa Monica.
How Can M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers Help Me After a Motorcycle Accident in Santa Monica, CA?
The attorneys at M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience practicing personal injury law. As a result, we’re one of the premier personal injury law firms serving Santa Monica, California.
Our team has received local and national recognition, including:
- Top 100 trial lawyers in the Country by the National Trial Lawyers
- Top 40 under 40 Trial Lawyers in the Country by the National Trial Lawyers
- Rising Stars by Super Lawyers Magazine
- Avvo Client’s Choice Award for excellent client service
- Lifelong membership of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
When you hire our Santa Monica personal injury lawyers to represent you, we provide candid legal advice and our honest opinion based on years of experience. Our team will thoroughly investigate your case and find out who is responsible for causing the crash. This may include interviewing witnesses and consulting with experts.
We will file a claim and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and try to get a fair settlement. If we can’t agree to terms, then we aren’t afraid to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.
We tailor our legal strategy specifically to our client’s needs. Give us a call to learn more about how we can help you recover compensation after a motorcycle crash case.
What Are the Main Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Santa Monica, CA?
Motorcycle crashes can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes a motorcycle gets wrapped up in a car crash or a truck accident. Other times, motorcycle crashes are caused by pedestrians or bikers on the road. No matter the cause, all types of motorcycle accidents are dangerous.
In our experience, the main causes of motorcycle crashes in Santa Monica, CA, include:
- Speeding
- Lane splitting
- Blind spots
- Unsafe lane changes
- Dangerous road conditions
- Failure to yield
- Road rage
- Distracted or drowsy driving
- Drunk driving
Unfortunately, motorcyclists are more susceptible to getting into an accident than a car. That’s because a motorcycle is less stable with only two wheels. Therefore, it can be easier to cause a motorcycle crash than a car crash.
What Is the Value of My Motorcycle Accident Case?
The value of your motorcycle accident case will depend on the specific impact it has had (and will continue to have) on your life. If you have experienced more significant trauma, you are likely to have a higher case value. When thinking about the value of your case, it is helpful to spend some time digesting the following categories.
Physical Injuries and the Necessary Recovery Period
What is the extent of your physical injuries, and what is involved in your recovery? Will you ever fully recover?
If you have serious or permanent injuries, you are more likely to receive a higher payout than someone who will heal relatively quickly. Similarly, if you need to undergo an intensive and difficult recovery period, this may warrant more compensation for your time, medical expenses, and suffering.
Day-To-Day Impact On Your Life
How has your injury impacted your day-to-day life? You are entitled to compensation for more than just medical bills.
For example, if your injury prevents you from taking care of your children, you might have to pay for a nanny. This can be costly, and you are entitled to payment for these expenses – even though they aren’t for doctor’s visits.
Another common scenario is when someone becomes disabled after a motorcycle accident. If they are wheelchair-bound, they might need to have construction on their home to make it ADA accessible. You can ask for reimbursement for this impact.
Impact on Employment
It’s normal for an injury to impact your employment; the question is to what extent. Did you miss a few weeks of work while recovering? Or maybe you have to call out every Wednesday to go to physical therapy. Perhaps you are permanently disabled and unable to work at all. You are entitled to money for this type of loss.
The more that your work life and earning capacity is affected by the accident or the injury, the more money you will recover. Furthermore, if you are a higher-earning employee, you are entitled to receive the same amount that you were making. So people who earn high incomes tend to have a higher settlement.
Emotional Trauma and Suffering
Sometimes people experience significant psychological and emotional trauma from an accident. This can affect their interpersonal relationships, mental health, and overall quality of life. No matter the extent of your injuries, if you have experienced significant emotional trauma and suffering, you are likely to recover more money.
What Damages Are Available After a Motorcycle Crash in Santa Monica?
There are several different types of damages available in Sanat Monica motorcycle accident cases. These include economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
After a motorcycle accident, our team normally recovers damages for:
- Medical bills
- Cost of rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Pharmaceuticals
- Property damages
- Emotional anguish and suffering
- The onset of mental illness
- Permanent disability
- Loss of quality of life
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
To recover damages, you will need to prove them with evidence. This may be in the form of bills, invoices, or testimony from doctors or mental health providers. You should always keep track of evidence that may become necessary to prove your damages.
You will also want to ask your lawyer about punitive damages. These are far less common and only awarded if the defendant acted with oppression, malice, or fraud.
What Happens If I Am Blamed For Causing My Motorcycle Crash or Injuries?
If you are blamed for causing the motorcycle crash, don’t worry. As long as you aren’t 100% responsible, you can still recover some damages. Of course, the goal is always to avoid any blame or reduce it as much as possible.
California follows a pure comparative negligence law. This means that you can recover proportionate damages. After a trial, the judge or jury will decide what percentage of fault each party has in the case. Then they will reduce your damages by the amount of fault that you have.
For example, if you are 40% responsible for causing the crash, you will recover 60% of your requested damages. If you are 75% responsible for causing the crash, you will recover 25% of the damages, and so forth.
Common Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident in Santa Monica, CA
Motorcycle accidents are very dangerous. They often result in catastrophic injuries and even death. Since motorcyclists are vulnerable without airbags or the safety of the body of a car, they are more likely to get seriously hurt.
Some of the most common injuries after a motorcycle accident include:
- Brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Severe burns, cuts, and bruises
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
Usually, motorcycle accident victims have more than one injury. The combination of serious injuries can make it even more difficult to recover. It is important to hire a lawyer that understands the extent of your injuries and can invest the time and resources into helping you get the compensation you deserve.
Statute of Limitations in California Motorcycle Wreck Cases
In California, you have two years to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit based on negligence. If you miss this deadline, you will lose your opportunity to recover any damages.
The purpose of the statute of limitations is to make sure that each party has a fair chance to prepare their case. The longer between an accident and a lawsuit, the harder it is to collect evidence. After all, witnesses move, and memories fade. Plus, physical evidence only lasts a short time.
You want to get started on your motorcycle accident case as soon as possible. A lawyer will help you keep track of important deadlines so that you don’t worry about accidentally missing them.
Set Up a Free Consultation With a Santa Monica Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
There’s no need to delay getting legal advice. Doing so will only hurt you in the long run. It’s time to set up a free consultation with a Santa Monica motorcycle accident attorney at M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers today.
Our team can help you schedule a call or a time to come visit our office. Then we can learn more about your case and explain how we might be able to help you get compensation.
