In the city, motorcycles offer a practical way to get around, and outside of the city, they are a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. Southern California has the weather and scenic drives that make riding a motorcycle one of life’s greatest pleasures. Unfortunately, though, accidents can and do happen – in many cases because drivers fail to see riders or respect their right to the road. If you or a family member suffered injuries in an accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation with the assistance of a Temecula motorcycle accident lawyer. An experienced Temecula personal injury attorney can assist in providing the legal options for you and guiding you through the claims process.
Severity of Motorcycle Accidents
More than 450 motorcycle riders died on California roadways in 2013, equaling about 50 deaths per 100,000 motorcycle registrations in the state. This is much higher than the ratio for any other type of transportation. The rate of severe injury is even higher.
Motorcycle accident victims often experience much more severe injuries than those involved in other motor vehicle accidents due of the exposed nature of riding a motorcycle. They do not have a protective cage around them like other drivers.
Motorcycle accidents are also difficult for riders to prevent. Other drivers often fail to see motorcycles, leading to collisions. Even the most experienced and careful rider is at the mercy of other drivers on the road and therefore may need the assistance of a Temecula motorcycle accident lawyer.
Types of Damages
If another driver was at fault in the accident that caused your injuries, you may be entitled to receive compensation for a number of damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Damage to your motorcycle and other property
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Temecula motorcycle accident attorney Ryan Sargent can identify all possible damages in your case, and ensure you have the proof necessary to present them to the insurance company and in court.
Liability in Motorcycle Accidents
California is a fault state, meaning that the at-fault party is responsible for paying for damages caused in a crash. Often, the driver’s auto liability insurance policy covers the damages.
Under California law, there are a number of ways that victims can recover compensation from the liable parties after a motorcycle accident. Victims can:
- Seek compensation from the liable party’s insurance company
- File suit against the liable party
- File an insurance claim under their own policy (depending on their coverage)
It is important to note that in some cases more than one person shares the responsibility in causing a collision. When this occurs, the compensation received from each of the liable parties correlates to the amount of fault assigned to them by the court. This is called comparative fault or comparative negligence. If you are partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced accordingly.
Once you file a personal injury suit, you will be required to prove that the accident was the fault of the other driver or drivers, and you were not at fault. Being able to prove your actions did not contribute to the crash is key in getting the maximum compensation possible. Depending on the facts of your accident, this may require an extensive investigation and aggressive advocacy from a Temecula motorcycle accident attorney.
