Riding on the roads surrounding Rosemont can be an adventure fraught with danger. No matter how skilled or careful a cyclist may be, they are also at the mercy of other motorists – some of whom are negligent. Truck and car drivers may not be cautious about checking for motorcycles while changing lanes. 

Many accidents occur when a driver turns at an intersection before a motorcyclist who has the right-of-way. Unfortunately, the motorcyclist is especially vulnerable to severe injuries in a collision, given their ride’s lack of steel. If and when a tragic accident happens, a Rosemont motorcycle accident lawyer can help. Call our law office at (916) 921-6400 for a free case evaluation.

Despite motorcycle safety awareness campaigns nationwide, injuries and deaths are rising. In 2016, California motorcycle deaths made up just over 15% of motor vehicle deaths – 566 motorcyclists were killed. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, that statistic represented an 11% increase from 2015 California motorcycle deaths (494). That does not even consider the severe and often disabling injuries California motorcyclists suffer each year.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of another driver’s negligence, a skilled Rosemont motorcycle accident attorney could help. The attorneys and staff at AutoAccident.com have years of experience helping injured motorcyclists get the justice and fair monetary compensation to which they are entitled.  

Because of the lack of vehicle protection coupled with high freeway speeds, motorcyclists often suffer severe, even catastrophic, injuries in the event of a crash. Some of the injuries we have seen in our practice: 

• Broken bones and fractures
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Third-degree abrasions (severe road rash)
• Lacerations
• Nerve damage
• Amputations
• Paraplegia or quadriplegia from spinal cord damage
• Death

When motorcyclists survive a significant collision, they are often unfortunately left with life-long injuries, chronic pain, and/or disabilities.  

California law allows an injured motorcyclist to file a claim for monetary damages with the negligent driver’s insurance company when another driver is at fault for the accident. Some recoverable medical expenses in a personal injury case include hospitalization charges, emergency room care, primary care visits, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, home health, and long-term care.

Lost income is another recoverable expense in a personal injury matter. When you are forced to miss work due to your injuries, the negligent party’s insurance must reimburse you for those lost wages. Your missed hours are reimbursable even if you used sick time or vacation hours. Sometimes injuries are so significant that they prevent you from returning to your regular work. In that case, future earnings and loss of earning capacity are additional economic damages that may be pursued in your legal claim.

Medical expenses and lost wages are known as economic damages. In a personal injury matter against a negligent person, the plaintiff (the injured person bringing the claim) is also entitled to non-economic damages – commonly referred to as pain and suffering. This incorporates physical pain, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life. If you are married, your spouse may be able to recover money to compensate for the negative effect the injuries had on the marital relationship.

Motorcycle accident injury cases are often complex, and skilled legal representation is crucial to receiving an equitable settlement or jury verdict. Insurance companies aim to keep as much money in their pockets as possible. Insurance adjusters are trained to take advantage of injured claimants who have not retained a legal representative. They may initially pressure you to accept a meager global settlement offer, and if you refuse, their favorite tactic becomes ignoring your attempts at communication and delaying the claims process. An experienced Rosemont motorcycle accident attorney will know how to handle a problematic insurance carrier to protect your legal rights.

It is best not to delay in seeking legal counsel. Having an attorney on board early in the claims process will ensure that substantial evidence is gathered and your rights are protected. Still, the attorney will know the crucial timelines within which a lawsuit must be filed. California law states that an injured motorcyclist must file suit or settle the claim before the second anniversary of the accident. If the negligent driver was in the course of government employment, the timeline is even shorter – you have only months to act. Missing these crucial deadlines could mean losing your right to any monetary recovery.

Watch the YouTube video below with tips to stay safe while riding a motorcycle.

Our Rosemont motorcycle accident attorneys at AutoAccident.com have handled motorcycle and car accident claims against large insurance companies since 1982. Call us today for a no-obligation consultation and compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

See some of our previous case results on our Verdicts and Settlements page.