Though riding a motorcycle can be fun and leave you feeling refreshed, it can also come with many dangers. The truth is, motorcyclists have no protection from harm in the event with any other type of vehicle, aside from the possibility of wearing a helmet. According to statistics, motorcycle helmets are estimated to be 37% effective in preventing fatalities in the event of a motorcycle accident. However, not all motorcyclists wear helmets when riding, which can leave them at a high risk of serious injury or death.
When you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Delano and know that another party is at fault for your accident, you may wonder what options you have. At Maison Law, we understand that it can be overwhelming to face a personal injury claim, especially if you have never dealt with the California legal system in the past. Contact us today for representation as you work toward damages for your injuries.
Why Should You Wear a Helmet if You Ride Motorcycle in Delano?
Many areas of California, including Delano, contain large stretches of highway and busy intersections. In the blink of an eye, a motorcycle accident involving any type of large vehicle could occur and turn your life upside-down. Here are some reasons why wearing a helmet is a good idea if you are a motorcyclist:
Reduce Brain Injury Risk: The main reason why wearing a helmet is crucial on Delano roads is due to the fact that it can reduce your risk of a brain injury, as well as save your life in a horrific accident. Brain injuries can have long-lasting consequences and expenses that you are not likely prepared to face. Helmets reduce acceleration in the brain in the event of an accident, which means that you have a higher chance of surviving a motorcycle accident if you are wearing a helmet.
Required By Law: In California, it is required by law that you wear a motorcycle helmet when you are riding. This is to help prevent serious injuries and fatalities in motorcycle accidents at all costs.
Enhance Confidence on the Road: You can find peace of mind as you ride if you wear a helmet, knowing that you could be saving your life if an accident were to occur.
Can I Bring a Claim if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet and Sustained Injuries in an Accident?
Now you know that it is against the law to ride a motorcycle without wearing a helmet. So, does this mean that you can’t sue a liable party if you are injured in a motorcycle accident and you were not wearing a helmet?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you can always bring a personal injury claim against the party who caused your accident. However, California is a pure comparative fault state. This means that the court will award you damages based on the other party’s percentage of fault in the accident. If you were not wearing a helmet when your motorcycle accident occurred, this means that the at-fault party in your accident could use a legal defense against you saying that they do not owe you full damages for their role in the accident. No matter if you are wearing a helmet or not, however, you should know that it is possible to bring an injury claim in Delano.
How the Insurance Company Will View Your Claim
Working with the insurance company to ensure that you get the most out of your claim is not always easy to do. The insurance company is just that – a company, which means that they will be looking out for their best interests and paying as little as possible in a claim. If you got into a motorcycle accident and you were not wearing a helmet, they will do anything they can to offer you less than you deserve in damages or deny your claim altogether.
The insurance company will probably try to argue that your injuries would have been less severe if you had been wearing a helmet. They will also view other factors involved in your motorcycle accident, such as the speed that you were traveling at the time or your driving record overall.
Contact a Delano Motorcycle Accident Lawyer After an Accident
If you have been hurt in a Delano motorcycle accident and you were not wearing a helmet, all hope is not lost when it comes to bringing a personal injury claim. Even when the insurance company is being difficult, you still have options for recovery.
At Maison Law, we offer victims of motorcycle accidents strong representation. We will compassionately fight to protect your rights and provide you with the resources necessary to get through these stressful times. Please contact a Delano motorcycle accident lawyer today for a free and confidential case consultation.