When a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, the bodily harm inflicted on the motorbike operator can be catastrophic and even life-threatening. In recent news, a motorcyclist suffered horrific injuries after a hit-and-run accident with a Mitsubishi sedan on Pacific Street in Rocklin. 

If you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident due to negligence in Rocklin or elsewhere in Placer County, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Call our experienced injury attorneys at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free case evaluation.

Unfortunately, despite an aggressive national advertising campaign that has attempted to warn drivers to be vigilant and watch for motorcyclists on the road, motorcycle accident injuries are still disturbingly high. In particular, California tends to have motorcycle-related injuries and death rates far above the national average. In fact, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), hundreds die in motorcycle crashes each year. Unfortunately, almost all those deaths and thousands of other injuries are generally preventable.

In most circumstances, motorcyclists are injured, at least in part because of the negligence of another motorist on Rocklin roadways. Motorcycle accidents happen quickly when drivers fail to look when changing lanes or turning. If a motorcyclist is injured due to another driver’s negligence, the injured rider may obtain financial compensation through a personal injury claim.

Any motorcycle owner will tell you you do not want to be in a motorcycle crash. This is because motorcycles offer scant protection. This means that when someone on a motorbike is hit by a larger vehicle, even at a relatively low speed, the damage to the motorcyclist can be debilitating. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, it is quite common to suffer some, or a combination, of the following types of injuries:

• Lacerations
• Broken bones
• Head wounds and brain trauma
• Spinal cord damage
• Back and neck injuries
• Shoulder and knee injuries

The video below provides six safety tips to help motorcyclists avoid a potentially dangerous accident.

To obtain a financial recovery through a personal injury lawsuit, you need to establish that your harm and losses were caused by the other driver’s negligence. Negligence means that the offending party failed to act reasonably and caused your injuries.

For example, if a driver changes lanes without seeing if there is a motorcyclist in the other lane, and a collision occurs, the driver will likely be considered legally negligent and be required to compensate the motorcyclist for any injuries.

Financial compensation can come in two forms in motorcycle injury cases: out-of-court settlement and trial verdict. If an out-of-court settlement is reached, the party responsible for causing the accident victim’s injuries (or the responsible party’s insurance company) will pay the injured party a pre-negotiated amount to compensate the injured victim.

California law provides several categories of legal damages that can be recovered, including your medical bills, past and future lost wages and income, and pain and suffering.

If settlement negotiations for a motorcycle accident are unsuccessful, your attorney should proceed with filing a personal injury lawsuit in a civil court. In Rocklin, the court that will likely have jurisdiction over your case is the Placer County Superior Court of Roseville.

Retaining a Rocklin motorcycle accident attorney is essential to start the insurance claims process. Because a personal injury claim must be submitted to the court within two years from the accident date. This is required under California’s statute of limitations. If you fail to file suit within two years, a judge will likely view your lawsuit as untimely and prohibit it from going forward.

If you were injured in a motorcycle collision, you should hire an experienced Rocklin motorcycle accident lawyer to represent your interests in court and to help you file a lawsuit. Our accident attorneys have dedicated their professional careers to serving victims of auto and motorcycle accidents in Rocklin and the greater Sacramento area. We pride ourselves in helping people seek compensation for their injuries and restore their lives. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning we only seek payment if we obtain a financial recovery for you, typically through a settlement or jury verdict. If you have been injured, do not hesitate to contact our law office to schedule a free case review.

Once you hire our lawyers to represent you, most out-of-pocket expenses associated to your case, including investigation expenses and court costs, will be deferred until a settlement is reached.  Once a settlement is reached, a percentage of the recovery amount will be due to your attorney.  The percentage amount is agreed upon at the initial intake appointment. For more information, give us a call. 

The consequences of a motorcycle accident can be severe and life changing. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash in the Rocklin area, we may be able to help you and your family through this difficult time. Please do not hesitate to contact our Rocklin motorcycle accident attorneys at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. You may also contact us online.

Proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

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^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 7.25.23] Photos by depositphotos sid rey [cs 919]}