WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

Even with a helmet on, however, a motorcycle rider rarely walks away from an accident unscathed. That’s why the steps injured bikers take following a wreck can make all the difference in their physical, mental, and financial well-being going forward. Injured motorcyclists may be in pain, unconscious, or otherwise unable to move following an accident.

IF POSSIBLE, YOU SHOULD ATTEMPT TO DO THE FOLLOWING AFTER A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT:

• Remain Calm -Your adrenaline and emotions may be spinning in high gear, but now is the time to keep things under control. Take a few moments to gather yourself before following the rest of these steps.
• Get to Safety – Move out of the roadway, out of the flow of traffic, and away from any hazards such as gas leaks, fires, or damaged structures.
• Check Yourself for Injuries – Even seemingly minor injuries that go untreated can lead to expensive medical care in the future. Look for any injuries you may have sustained, but don’t assume you’re okay just because you feel that way-your symptoms can be masked by the adrenaline released both during and following a motorcycle accident.
• Alert Emergency Services – If anyone has been hurt in the accident, immediately dial 9-1-1. Ask the police to create an official accident report-a police report is often your best chance at proving your motorcycle accident lawsuit.
• Document the Accident – Exchange insurance and contact information with the other involved parties. Take photos of the accident scene and record anything you remember about the accident that may be useful – for example, the time, location, and damage to your property can all help prove that the other party/parties are liable. Finally, if there are any witnesses to your accident, exchange contact information to get a written statement from them later.
• Don’t Admit Fault – In the aftermath of your accident, you’ll have to talk to several parties, including the police, the at-fault driver, and an insurance adjuster. You mustn’t admit fault, as this can be used against you during settlement negotiations.
• Contact a Personal Injury Attorney – The insurance companies are going to do everything in their power to lower the value of your claim. You need a law firm in your corner that isn’t afraid to throw a punch – that’s where Wilshire Law Firm comes in. Our California motorcycle accident attorneys can shorten the timeline of your motorcycle accident claim and help you get your life back on track.

Helmets are the only proven method for reducing motorcycle crash fatalities.

WHAT COMPENSATION CAN YOU EXPECT FOR A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

If you are injured as a result of a motorcycle accident, a California motorcycle accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries, property damages, and medical bills, and other monetary damages.

You can be entitled to compensation for the following:

• Medical bills directly related to the injuries
• The cost of future medical treatment
• Missed wages as a result of time spent away from work
• Decrease in future earnings as a result of the injuries
• Property damages
• Any non-economic damages affecting your loved ones, such as loss of companionship or moral support

Call a motorcycle accident lawyer in California at Wilshire Law Firm today to get a free consultation on the compensation you may be eligible for, as a result of a motorcycle accident.

WHAT DAMAGES ARE RECOVERABLE FOLLOWING A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

Damages refer to the expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses that are incurred as a result of a motorcycle accident, and any serious injury. Depending on the circumstances of each motorcycle accident case, motorcyclist victims may be entitled to compensation for everything from costly surgeries and doctors’ visits to home and lifestyle modifications. Only an expert motorcycle accident attorney can correctly assess the value of an accident claim. Using medical and vocational experts, accident reconstructionists, and more, the California motorcycle accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm identify the true cost of a motorcycle accident case while working hard to get motorcycle accident victims the justice they deserve.

A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT VICTIM MAY BE ABLE TO RECOVER THESE DAMAGES FOLLWOING A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT:

• Specific Damages – Past and future medical bills, lost wages, lost earning potential, necessary repair and replacement services, home and vehicle modifications, etc.
• General Damages – Physical pain and suffering, loss of consortium, emotional distress

While this may seem straightforward, the fact is that determining liability can be a tricky proposition. Insurance companies have their claim adjusters whose only job is to give a motorcycle accident victim as little money as possible. Furthermore, multiple parties can be found at-fault for an accident, making a well-planned investigation vital to the motorcyclist victim’s chances of recovering damages.

Wilshire Law Firm’s skilled attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation, reconstructing the accident and gathering photos, witness and expert testimony, and other relevant material to identify the parties responsible for your injuries.

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, VICTIMS MAY LOOK TO HOLD THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES RESPONSIBLE:

• Negligent drivers
• An at-fault driver’s employer
• Manufacturers due to a product defect
• Property owners
• Public entities such as a city or state due to poorly maintained roadways
• Construction contractors

Even if a motorcycle accident is partially a victim’s fault, they may still be able to recover some of the damages they have suffered. As a Comparative Fault state, California allows bikers injured in a motorcycle accident to recover a reduced percent of their damages. The amount of damages an injured motorcycle rider can recover is directly tied to the percent they are determined to be at fault for the accident. This means that motorcyclist victims who are 99% at fault for an accident may still be able to recover part of the damages they have suffered.