Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Motorcycle Accident Attorney Los Angeles: Know your Rights

As a motorcycle rider, in the great state of California, you have rights to protect you and your choices. The Golden State has more riders than any other two states combined except Florida, Texas, Ohio or Pennsylvania!

Needless to say, you’re entitled to fair and just compensation, should you suffer a motorcycle accident injury. Any admission of fault without the consent of a lawyer is strictly against our advice.

And this is just the beginning

Next, you’ll have to manage:

Ride arrangements
Accident resolution
Hospital visits
Medical bills
Family visits
Many other unforeseen expenses

Insurance companies are ready to pounce on vulnerable victims of motorcycle accidents. We deal with it every day, and our goal at Wilshire Law Firm is to pursue your right to fair and just compensation for your losses.

Sure, their cousins or friends might ride, and they’ve seen us in movies – ever heard of James Dean? But, at the end of the day, they don’t relate to the freedom, passion, power, or camaraderie that comes with riding.

Most importantly, they don’t understand the time, preparation and attention to safety details that are required to travel through life on two wheels.

Especially in Los Angeles, California, where lane splitting – or “sharing” – is legal.

The Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers of Wilshire Law Firm are on your side, right from the start. We know how dangerous it is to ride a motorcycle, and we work with motorcycle crash cases every day, ensuring each and every client their families are in good hands.

What Can a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyer Do for You?

When the going gets tough, motorcyclists get going. It is part of the rider manifesto to live life as a free individual, to be independent and self-reliant, to lean on oneself rather than others. But that’s not to say motorcyclists never ask for help. In fact, the wisest riders know that it pays to be resourceful, not stubborn, when the situation calls for the expertise of others. Recovering damages after a motorcycle accident is one such situation.

Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys perform a large array of complex tasks to help victims and their families get the compensation they need to pay off medical bills, make up for lost income, and alleviate other burdens. Below is a list of some of these tasks, though, keep in mind that each case is different and not everything listed may be needed in every case:

Provide the client with a comprehensive understanding of the personal injury claims process and his or her legal options
Collect documentary evidence including police reports, medical records and bills, wage loss records
Analyze the client’s insurance company to determine all available coverages
Collect statements from witnesses
Gather other material evidence, such as photographs and videos
Determine the amount, if any, that the client’s healthy insurance policy or welfare benefit plan may require in repayment of money spent to pay the bills
Analyze the validity of any liens on the case
Handle all communications with the insurance adjuster to ensure that the client’s best interests are preserved
Negotiate a fair settlement deal with the insurance company
File a lawsuit, if necessary, and represent the client in trial
Analyze the jury’s verdict to determine whether an appeal is viable and necessary

What to do after a Motorcycle Accident in Los Angeles

As the saying goes, “all motorcycles go down at least once.” Whether that’s true or not, it never hurts to be prepared. A crash can be costly, stressful, and damaging to not only your health, but for your finances, too. Considering how expensive a motorcycle accident can be, you’ll want to make sure to do everything possible to document the scene, so you can recover the maximum amount of compensation for you claim. By taking the right steps, you can help your recovery process go a lot smoother.

There are six things you should keep in mind in the event of a motorcycle accident:

Get yourself to safety and check for injuries: Your safety should always be your first priority! You’ll want to check for any injuries you might have sustained in the accident. If you were not injured, injuries were minor, or injuries have yet to develop, check on everyone else involved in the motorcycle accident and make sure they’re okay.
Remain calm: Motorcycle accidents are adrenaline-inducing events, causing those involved to panic and freeze up. You lose valuable time because of this. Take a moment to calm yourself before going through the necessary motions involved in documenting a motorcycle accident.
Report the accident to the police: This is important! You want a police report on hand stating you were not at-fault for the accident. Otherwise, it will be easier for insurance companies to pin fault on you, meaning you get less compensation. Avoid being named as the at-fault motorist by giving YOUR statement to the police. Never rely on the driver to tell the truth. In fact, they may lie and say the accident was your fault. Also, don’t be afraid double check the police report.
Take photos of the collision and your injuries: Pictures can show the severity of an accident and how it impacted you. The more pictures you have, the better. Photograph the collision site, traffic signs and signals, and injuries you and others might have sustained.
Exchange information: Do not leave the scene until you have the other motorist’s information. Information should include contact information, driver’s license number, vehicle information, and insurance information. After exchanging information, avoid speaking to the driver.
Get eyewitness information: Were there witnesses who saw the accident? Take a moment and get their contact information. Ask them if they would be willing to be called upon as a witness. If the answer is yes, write down or record their version of events. Send a copy of your written statement and have them sign and date it.

We understand that a motorcycle has limited space, so you may not have a notepad and pen on you at the time of an accident. But, 77% of Americans own a smartphone! If you have nothing to write on, use your smartphone as a notepad.

Of course, handling a motorcycle accident doesn’t just stop at the accident site. There are other things you need to keep in mind, especially if you plan on filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.

During the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, remember the following:

Whatever you do, do NOT admit fault!

Inevitably, you will have to notify your insurance company of the incident. In these first moments, immediately following the crash, it is imperative that you DO NOT ADMIT FAULT TO ANYONE.

“Anyone,” meaning:

Insurance companies
Other parties
Paramedics
Police
Anyone!

Even if you are not at fault, your words can and will be twisted to manipulate your policy details. Your insurance company, or the other party’s insurance company, will attempt to withhold money that is rightfully yours.

Furthermore, sometimes, police reports put the motorcycle at fault without even consulting you. Remember, this can be argued in court!

Wilshire Law Firm’s Los Angeles super lawyers are the best personal injury motorcycle attorneys in town. Our team is ready to fight for you against powerful insurance companies; they will stop at nothing to keep money out of your pocket that you desperately need to make sure your family stays afloat during this difficult time.

Never admit fault for an accident: This is easier said than done because insurance adjusters have many different techniques they can use to get you to admit fault. Even a simple “sorry” can be seen as admitting fault! When speaking to anyone about the accident, such as police, paramedics, the at-fault driver, never say anything that could be used against you.
Contact a lawyer as soon as possible! A motorcycle accident lawyer can provide you with the legal and financial assistance you need to recover maximum compensation for your motorcycle accident. When looking for a personal injury lawyer to hire, make sure to look for one who has experience in these matters.

Handling a motorcycle accident can be difficult. The personal injury and accident attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm know this. You’re suffering from injuries, paying costly motorcycle repairs and treatments, and you might have missed work because of this incident. You deserve to be compensated for these damages, as well as other impacts you might have suffered from because of this accident! Wilshire Law Firm’s motorcycle accident attorneys want to help! We have recovered hundreds of millions on behalf of our clients and want to help you recover the maximum compensation possible for your case, too! Call for a free case consultation at 1-800-522-7274, today!

How often do motorcycles crash?

Approximately 236 motorcycle crashes result in injuries every day in the United States, with an average of about 86,000 total injuries from crashes per year (2011-2015). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 88,000 motorcyclists were injured, with 4,976 reported deaths in 2015 alone. The amount of motorcycle accident injuries in the U.S. have also been on the rise, jumping from 52,000 in 1995, to a whopping 98,000 in 2007. The trend then tapered down to 77,000 in 2011, before drastically jumping back up to just under 90,000 in 2012, where it has plateaued.

number of motorcycle crash statistics 1995-2015

Motorcycle accident-related injuries have been on the rise in the U.S., possibly because there are millions of more motorcycles on the road, and perhaps, also due to the rise of “distracted drivers,” taking their hands off the wheel to use their cell phones.

Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: Statistics and Numbers

California saw a decrease in motorcycle injuries during 2016, while the entire country saw an increase (+4,000). However, California, because of its vast population size (over 39,000,000), still had the second-most motorcycle injuries compared to every other state, except for Florida.

In 2015, 27% of California motorcycle fatalities involved riders who did not have a valid motorcycle license. Furthermore, 42% of all motorcycle riders who were killed in a single-vehicle collision were alcohol-impaired. (The term “alcohol-impaired” defines motorcycle riders with blood alcohol concentrations of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher.)

Lack of preparation and lack of sobriety are just two factors that account for riders in California being 29 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die after suffering through an accident. The more we can avoid these inebriating factors, the better off we’ll be.

Safe riding is fun riding

With 881,386 registered motorcycles in California and an additional 34,509,961 registered vehicles, there’s a lot of room for motorcycle accidents to happen. You can do your part to prevent a motorcycle accident by using these tips to be a safer rider.

10 useful motorcycle safety tips:

Wear safety gear, like state-compliant helmets, gloves, and reflective jackets.
Stay in your comfort zone. Avoid unnecessary risks and showboating.
Inspect your motorcycle often. Check for leaks, tire pressure, and body damage.
Don’t rely on just your mirrors when switching lanes. Use your head!
Aim long, and always err on the side of caution when approaching intersections.
Avoid riding under stress. Don’t use your MC as a form of therapy.
If you have a passenger, be 100% comfortable with the extra weight.
Pay attention to the weather, and avoid riding in storms or rain showers.
Acknowledge other riders. They have your back, remember that.
Have fun! Motorcycles are amazing, so long as you’re safe. Enjoy the ride!

No one likes to be told how to live their life – especially motorcyclists – but there’s no denying that riding sober, knowing your limits, and wearing the proper safety gear will significantly decrease your chances of injury.

Most times, the other car is at fault

Although you may ride responsibly, another motorist may not. In these cases, it’s not hard to prove that the driver was at fault in a passenger-vehicle crash.

According to the famous 1981 Hurt Report, “In two-thirds of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle rider’s right of way and caused the accident.”*

For instance, as cell phone usage has caused a dramatic rise in “distracted driving” (which is perhaps directly correlated to the increase in motorcycle injuries), many passenger car motorists think they can lie to the judge and say they weren’t on their phone at the time of the incident.

All it takes is a subpoena to obtain phone records and you’re looking at one potentially hefty settlement.

Get Help after a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident

At Wilshire Law Firm, we represent riders who are involved in motorcycle accidents, every day. Almost 30% of our cases involve these types of accidents.

We know all the complicated ins and outs of dealing with motorcycle-related crashes, and we truly understand the sensitivities involved with the aftermath of these, sometimes tragic, incidents.

With all the factors that go into these types of extra-sensitive personal injury cases, it’s extremely important that your family relies on attorneys they can trust.

If you have been in a motorcycle accident, or know someone who has, you may be entitled to a substantial settlement. Your first call should be 911, then, contact Wilshire Law Firm at 1-866-344-0588. We strongly advise you to save our number in case of a future emergency. Our expert motorcycle accident lawyers can be reached 24/7, 365, and are ready to assist you every step of the way – helping to manage medical expenses, repairs, and, of course, dealing with insurance companies.

Sources:
**The Hurt Report *– Once considered the most important motorcycle safety report of the 20^thcentury, this report has been argued to be invalid, due to the following changing factors in motorcycle riding:– Motorcycle Engineering

Changes User Population Changes
Automobile Engineering Changes
Roadway Environmental Changes

Insurance Information Institute
LA Times
FindLaw
NHTSA

Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyers You Can Trust

Our team understands the ups and downs of dealing with motorcycle accidents, and all the details that come with motorcycle crashes better than any other personal injury motorcycle law firm in Los Angeles*

Getting started is as simple as switching gears!

Just pick up the phone and give our team of motorcycle accident attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm a call today.