California has some of the best weather for motorcyclists, especially in the southern part of the state, where the sun is generally shining and snow never falls.
In 2020, California had the most motorcycle registrations of any state, with 785,424.
If you or your loved one has been in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligent or intentional behavior, a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer at Peerali Law can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Motorcyclists always have to be hyper-aware of their surroundings because a lot of drivers are inattentive when it comes to other vehicles, especially those that are harder to see.
In a collision between a car or truck and a motorcycle, the motorcyclist could potentially sustain significant injury.
Unfortunately, California has some of the worst traffic, making driving a two-wheeler a little more hazardous.
In 2021, the California Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) reported 2,795 motorcycle crashes in Los Angeles County. In those instances, 127 people were killed, and 3,061 were injured.
What Type of Compensation Is Available for a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident?
Each Los Angeles motorcycle accident case is unique. The severity of injuries sustained and the circumstances of the accident will determine how much compensation you are likely to receive. There are two general types of compensation.
Economic Damages
Actual expenses and financial hardship incurred are covered by economic damages. These are used to return the victim to their original financial situation before the accident occurred.
- Medical expenses include emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, hospital bills, medication, and future expected medical expenses based on a prognosis from your treating physician.
- If you are unable to work for a period of time because of the accident, you may be able to recover lost wages, and you can recover damages if your overall earning capacity has decreased because of the accident.
- Motorcycles are expensive, and you should not be responsible for the damage to your property. Keep a record of all repairs or the total cost of replacing the bike and other damaged property.
It is essential to keep detailed records of expenses related to your injuries. This will help your Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer determine the value of your claim.
Non-Economic Damages
Not all damage is monetary. Non-economic damages include the physical and mental aspects of what the victim has endured because of the accident.
- Pain and suffering are losses that are not directly related to an expense. Other non-economic damages along the same line include post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological conditions caused by the accident.
- The victim may be entitled to compensation if the accident has a significant negative impact on their spousal relationship. This includes loss of physical intimacy, known as loss of consortium.
Our Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers will be able to walk you through the type of compensation you may be entitled to based on what you have endured.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle injuries can come in many forms, depending on factors such as speed and angle of the collision. Here are a few common types of injuries:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI),
- Broken bones,
- Whiplash,
- Lacerations,
- Internal bleeding,
- Spinal injuries,
- Facial scarring or disfigurement, and
- Organ damage.
In worst-case scenarios, fatalities can occur. Motorcyclists are over-represented in fatal traffic crashes. In 2021, 5,932 motorcyclists were killed in the United States, representing 14% of all traffic fatalities. If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident caused by another person or party, you might be able to bring a wrongful death claim on their behalf.
What to Do After a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident?
After you or a loved one is in a Los Angeles motorcycle accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention as most motorcycle injuries result in much more than just bumps and bruises. But regardless of the severity of your injuries, you should be evaluated by a medical professional, even if emergency medical personnel are not called to the scene of the accident.
Some injuries do not present themselves right away. Receiving care immediately can help strengthen the assertion that your injuries occurred during the accident.
Call the local authorities to the scene of the accident to ensure a police report is filed.
When giving your statement about the accident or talking to any witnesses, be careful not to state or imply that you were at fault. This can be used against you later. You will want to obtain a copy of the report.
If you are physically able, take photos of the accident scene. Photos on your smartphone are sufficient.Make sure to photograph damage to all vehicles, where they are in relation to each other, and the things around them, such as trees, traffic, and anything else that may have impacted what happened.
The police should obtain contact information for the vehicle driver, passengers, and witnesses, but you may also want to get this information for your records.
You should also call your insurance company as soon as it is reasonable to do so. California is an at-fault state, which means that the person or party who caused the accident is liable for damages.
How Long Can I Wait to Hire a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident?
Once you have addressed your immediate medical concerns, you should speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer. Even if you do not think you are injured, you should seek legal advice to discuss your options. The other driver’s insurance company will be acting immediately after the accident. You need to act fast, too.
Despite what they might say in their commercials, insurance companies are in the business of making money, not looking out for your interests. You’ll need an experienced attorney as soon as possible to increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
In California, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit for your motorcycle accident. The period can be shorter if your claim is against a government agency.
Even though you usually have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, seek the assistance of a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as you can. This will best position your case for a favorable outcome. Evidence disappears, and memories fade, so the sooner a lawyer starts gathering the evidence you need, the better.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Motorcycle Accident?
If you sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident due to the negligent acts of others, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer. Finding a skilled Los Angeles attorney as soon as possible is the single most effective thing you can do to protect your interests.
A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Understands the Law
An experienced attorney is well-versed in the law. There’s no reason for you to know or try to figure out the intricacies of the legal system. That’s your lawyer’s job. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney knows what’s required to build a strong case. They will use their knowledge, skill, experience, and resources to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Your Lawyer Does All the Work to Build Your Case
In addition to knowing the law, your attorney must prove that the negligent party is liable and that you’re entitled to damages. The success of your case depends on your lawyer persuasively proving these two things. But this takes work.
Thankfully, your attorney will do the heavy lifting and allow you to focus on recovery. Your attorney will gather the necessary evidence to prove liability and damages. Such proof can come from the following sources:
- Photographs and surveillance footage from the accident scene,
- Statements from eyewitnesses,
- Data from a driver’s mobile device,
- Police reports,
- Tax returns and pay stubs,
- Accident reconstruction reports,
- Medical expert witnesses,
- Medical bills and records, and
- Any other source that will prove liability and damages.
A Los Angeles motorcycle lawyer will gather evidence and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you’re rightfully compensated for your losses.
Your Lawyer Increases Your Chances of Getting a Favorable Settlement
One of the first questions you probably had after the crash was, What is the average motorcycle accident settlement? That’s a great question. Most people have no idea how much their claim is worth. And why would you?
Factors
There’s no exact science for determining the value of your claim. The best way to get an accurate picture of the value of your claim is to work with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. They can break down the relevant factors to estimate a fair settlement range for your unique case.
That said, the value of your case is the total of your economic and non-economic losses. These damages can include the following:
- Current and future medical expenses,
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity,
- Pain and suffering or mental anguish, and
- Property damage.
The severity of your injuries is a critical factor. Generally, the more serious your injuries, the higher the damages.
Strength of the evidence
The strength of your case also weighs heavily on your settlement value. If you have strong proof of liability, there’s a good chance you’ll win your case, and the settlement will likely be higher than in cases where proof of liability is lacking.
On the other hand, even if you have high damages, if proof of liability is shaky, the value of your settlement can be diminished. This could happen when a jury would unlikely return a verdict in your favor.
Defendant’s ability to pay
Regardless of the severity of your injuries and the strength of your case, the settlement value will be impacted by the defendant’s ability to pay. The limit of the defendant’s insurance policy can affect your motorcycle settlement.
If the defendant has few assets, there’s no point in pushing for a settlement higher than the policy limits. But if the defendant has significant assets, they are more likely to carry more than the minimum amount of insurance to protect their wealth. They may also have other assets available to pay any damages. Thus, your attorney can fight to recover the full extent of your damages.
How to Choose a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Choosing an attorney to represent you is one of the most important decisions you will make in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. It is critical to look for specific characteristics in a lawyer, including the following:
- Relevant experience,
- The attorney’s ability to communicate effectively,
- A good track record for recovery in similar cases,
- A fee structure that does not require any out-of-pocket expenses until you get your settlement, and
- Overwhelmingly positive recommendations.
All attorneys and law firms are not equally equipped to handle your motorcycle accident case. Do your homework. Any attorney you consider should possess the qualities of the best motorcycle crash attorney. You should feel more like family instead of a number.
Contact a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
A Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney at Peerali Law knows how difficult it can be to get back to your everyday life following a traumatic accident. We can help.
You will need to be able to prove who was at fault, which is something motorcycle accident attorneys in Los Angeles can help with. You will also need to understand the true value of your claim to ensure that you are receiving the settlement amount you deserve.
Insurance companies are known for making lower offers than your settlement is actually worth by incentivizing fast payouts. An experienced Los Angeles lawyer at Peerali Law can negotiate on your behalf and make sure the insurance companies do not take advantage of you. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, you can file a California personal injury lawsuit.
We are here to support you and guide you through the process of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Contact us or call us at 818-862-4435 for your free case consultation.