An estimated 4,976 people died in motorcycle accidents, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report. In addition, approximately 88,000 motorcyclists suffered severe injuries, according to the Insurance Information Institute. This means that motorcycle wrecks in and around Orangevale are common, and you should take appropriate medical and legal action after a severe collision.

Immediately after the motorcycle accident, call 9-1-1 and request emergency medical assistance if you are physically able. Even if you and the reckless driver think your injuries are relatively minor, still contact the police and ask that an officer come to the scene so they can compile a traffic collision report. This is important because this report can become valuable evidence during the injury claims process.

Use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene, visible injuries, property damage, traffic signs, etc. If any bystanders witnessed the collision, write down their contact information. This is important because you may need to contact them later to discuss the motorcycle accident they witnessed.

Once you’ve received medical treatment, you should speak to an experienced Orangevale motorcycle accident attorney. Most personal injury lawyers offer free, confidential consultations, so no financial risk is associated with simply speaking to an attorney about your legal options. During the consultation, you can discuss the facts of your case, show the attorney any evidence you documented, and whether anyone from the reckless driver’s insurance company contacted you.

If you want to recover maximum compensation for your harms and losses after an Orangevale motorcycle accident, hiring a skilled and experienced Orangevale personal injury lawyer is essential. Why? Because there is statistical evidence indicating that injured individuals who retain an attorney recover more through a settlement or jury verdict. In fact, the Insurance Research Council (IRC) discovered that auto accident personal injury claim payouts were 40 percent higher for claimants who were represented by a lawyer, and, on average, a claimant with a lawyer received 3.5 times more than claimants who tried to resolve their claim on their own.

A big reason why the insurance adjuster assigned to your case will try to contact you shortly after the accident is that they want to try and offer you a lowball settlement before you have a chance to speak to a lawyer. They will also ask if you consent to a recorded statement regarding what happened in the accident. Do not consent until you’ve spoken to a lawyer. Why? Because insurance companies often attempt to use your own words against you to try and show that you were at fault or were not really injured that badly.

Another benefit of hiring an accident lawyer is that your case may need trial if the other driver’s insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair and just settlement. Of course, only a small percentage of personal injury claims go to trial, but you should be prepared. In fact, the prospect of getting hit with a large jury verdict when a skilled trial lawyer is involved is one factor in an insurance company’s decision to offer a reasonable settlement.

You only have a finite period to take legal action against the reckless driver that crashed into you. This is due to the statute of limitations. This law limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident injury claim is two years from the date of your injury. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this period, you will be barred from collecting compensation from the reckless driver.

Some exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations may shorten or lengthen the amount of time you can take legal action. An experienced Orangevale personal injury attorney should be able to review your case and determine the applicable deadline under California law.

The video below explains why motorcyclists are more likely to be severely injured in an accident.

A motorcycle accident can cause serious, life-altering injuries to the victim. Many motorcyclists hit by cars, trucks, and SUVs suffer catastrophic injuries that derail their future. This is why hiring an experienced personal injury attorney who will pursue maximum compensation on your behalf makes sense.

If you have been injured or someone you love has been killed in an Orangevale motorcycle accident, call our injury lawyers today for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

See some of our past verdicts and settlements.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 7.21.23] sb bw [CS 784] Photo by Pixabay}