An insurance claim may have been your first attempt at getting the compensation you deserve, but it’s unlikely that your car insurance policy will cover the full extent of your losses.
Sound familiar? If so, seek the expertise of a personal injury law firm. Find out more about what your legal options are when you speak with an experienced Fontana motorcycle accident lawyer.
And the good news is that you won’t have to look far to get in touch with one of our county’s best accident attorneys. Our legal representation starts with building a strong attorney-client relationship. Learn more about how our attorneys at Fontana Injury Law Group can help you financially recover after a crash below.
Why Choose Fontana Injury Law Group
Motorcycle accidents often lead to significant injuries. Injury victims will also experience more losses in the form of medical bills, lost wages, and even potentially losing future income, too. Here at Fontana Injury Law Group, we understand how those losses can be difficult to contend with, and we don’t want to add any more financial stress to your life. That’s why we offer a free consultation.
If you think you were the victim of a motorcycle accident, then we can provide assistance and tell you more about your legal options. If we think you have the basis to seek out a lawsuit, then we can offer a contingency fee payment structure, which means you won’t have to pay us until you get your compensation from the other party.
Due to our extensive experience representing Fontana residents injured in motorcycle crashes, we have good relationships with the best medical experts in the area. Medical experts can be a huge advantage in court. They can help explain to a judge or jury how serious your injuries are and how they’re likely to impact your life moving forward. Sometimes, this medical testimony is the difference between getting the compensation you deserve and not getting paid what you’re owed.
On top of all that, our firm is award-winning, and we have a track record of success with motorcycle accident cases. We’re also available for our clients 24/7.
Advantages of Hiring a Fontana Motorcycle Accident Attorney
After a collision with a vehicle, you’re likely dealing with a physical injury. Your motorcycle also likely sustained damage, too, so you may not have solid transportation at the moment. When your losses are quickly stacking up, you need your rightful compensation fast.
One of the biggest advantages of hiring a qualified accident attorney is that you’ll get what you’re owed faster than attempting to sort out the issue on your own. Further, you’ll have access to expert legal advice from an attorney, so you’ll be making better legal decisions. This will make it less likely that you’ll agree to a settlement that’s far less than what you deserve.
Time is ticking after your accident. Per California’s statute of limitations, you only have two years to seek out a claim starting on the day you got injured. If you miss the time to file, it is unlikely you will have another opportunity in the future. Also, there are exceptions to CA’s laws, but a good lawyer will ensure that you file your claim correctly and in a timely manner.
START YOUR CASEHow Much a Motorcycle Claim Is Worth
If your losses are stacking up, then you’re likely wondering how much your motorcycle claim is really worth. To calculate how much your claim is worth, consider:
- The cost of your medical bills
- The cost of fixing your motorcycle
- The financial losses associated with lost wages
- Future medical costs
- Future disability or loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Any emotional distress
This will give you a rough estimate of how much your claim is worth, but speaking with an attorney will give you a better picture of what recoverable damages would look like in your situation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
What if I told you that many people driving in vehicles are entirely blind to you on your motorcycle? Such a concept seems like an excuse, but it’s actually a real, scientific phenomenon called Inattentional Blindness.
This behavior is a result of our brains not processing motorcycles in the same way that we process full-sized cars. When a driver looks both ways and sees a motorcycle coming, their brains might accidentally disregard the biker because their brains are scanning the road specifically for cars. If your mind is on autopilot or not paying attention, then this common brain-induced error could lead to a crash.
Inattentional blindness is one of the top causes of motorcycle accidents. Some bikers even report seeing a driver look them in the eye before pulling out in their way! This type of action can seem intentional, but it rarely is committed on purpose. Here are a few other common causes of motorcycle accidents:
- Unsafe lane changes
- Distracted driving
- Open car doors
- Heavy traffic
- Speeding
- Driving while intoxicated
- Turning a corner too fast
- Lane splitting
- Poor road conditions
- Low visibility
- Inclement weather
If you’re hoping to seek out compensation after your accident, then it’s important to determine what caused your accident first. Immediately after the accident, authorities will begin investigating the accident, and they should note what they believe to be the cause on their official accident report. You can request a copy of this report by contacting your local police station.
Determining Liability in a Motorcycle Accident
The reason why it’s so important to figure out what caused your accident is because this will also determine who is legally liable for the financial payout from the crash. In Fontana, courts operate on a comparative fault standard, which means each involved party will be held legally liable based on their degree of fault in the situation.
In other words, it’s fair to seek out a motorcycle claim against another driver or motorist in Fontana even if you believe you contributed to the crash. If the other party was even 25% responsible, then you might still be able to recover 25% of your financial losses from that party.
So, how do you prove that the other party contributed to or caused your crash? You’ll need to prove that the other party was negligent. Per California law, you’ll need to prove four elements to establish negligence. These four elements include:
- The other driver had a duty to provide for your safety (this is implied by California law)
- The other driver breached their duty of care
- The other driver’s breach of duty directly caused your accident
- The accident led to specific damages
A good motorcycle accident attorney will help prove each of these elements by establishing what caused the accident and backing up those statements with specific evidence. They’ll also help you prove your financial losses. In the event the other party attempts to shift the blame onto you, your lawyer will help deny those claims and fight for your rightful compensation.
FREE CONSULTATIONCommon Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents are inherently more dangerous than car accidents because the rider is not protected and is often violently thrown off their bike. Here are some of the most common types of common motorcycle accident injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Road rash
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Strains, sprains, and fractures
- Internal bleeding and organ injuries
- Broken ribs
The number one way to avoid these types of serious injuries is to always wear protective gear when you ride. You need to wear a helmet, proper shoes, and clothing that’s tough and will protect you from road rash. If you experienced one of these significant injuries, then don’t hesitate to reach out to a lawyer in Fontana as soon as you can. The faster you hire an attorney, the closer you are to getting the financial compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Immediately after your motorcycle accident, there’s a good chance you were injured. Always call the police after a motorcycle crash to ensure you get the help you need, and your rights are upheld. While waiting for help to arrive, get a copy of the other person’s license, contact information, and insurance information. Then, avoid speaking with them. This will avoid further conflict or sharing too much information that could hurt your case.
It’s up to you whether you drive yourself to the hospital or go by ambulance, but there’s a good chance you won’t be able to ride your bike after an accident. It’s best to get medical care as soon as possible to protect your right to recover damages. Ask for a copy of your doctor’s diagnosis and any medical bills you receive.
From there, we advise reaching out to a lawyer for more help while you focus on your physical recovery.
Contact the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Fontana
A good Fontana motorcycle accident lawyer won’t leave you scratching your head as to what you should do next and how to recover after a car accident. Instead, they’ll get to work right away in helping you figure out what caused your accident, who is potentially liable, and the real extent of your injuries.
From there, they’ll help you calculate exactly how much you financially lost as a result of your motorcycle accident.
While you’re focusing on recovering physically, our personal injury lawyers here at Fontana Injury Law Group will focus on the legal aspects of filing your claim, collecting evidence, hiring expert medical witnesses, and more. We’ll work tirelessly to fight for every penny of compensation that you deserve.
If you’re interested in learning more about whether you should seek out a motorcycle accident lawsuit, then we want to help. Contact us now to discuss your situation in detail.
