Maison Law can help you through the claims process if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Glendale. There’s nothing quite like taking your motorcycle out for a ride around Glendale. But that can turn to pain in a split-second when you’re in an accident. We can help you through it. Set up a free consultation today.
Why It Makes Sense to Talk to Our Lawyers After a Motorcycle Accident
For as great as riding your motorcycle can be in Glendale, it’s pretty easy to see how quickly things can change when you’re in an accident. And that’s not the only challenge. Insurance companies don’t always look at motorcycle accidents the same way they look at other crashes, either.
Sometimes, there’s an assumption that riding a motorcycle is inherently risky or that the rider must have done something wrong. Add all that up, and talking to our motorcycle accident team starts to make a lot more sense. We can help by:
- Looking into exactly how the accident happened
- Getting information and evidence before it’s lost
- Finding everyone who might be responsible
- Handling the insurance company and settlement talks
- Figuring out the full value of your claim
After a motorcycle accident, your priority should be getting better. We’ll handle the legal side of things and work to protect your rights from the very beginning.
Information That Can Help a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Motorcycle accidents happen in a split second, but the aftermath can last much, much longer. Even so, some of the most important parts of a potential claim start right there at the scene. The first thing you should do is:
- Call 911 and report the accident, especially if you’re hurt (which you probably will be.)
Getting medical attention and having the accident documented should come before anything else. Then, if it’s safe and you’re able to do so, try to gather a few basic things:
- Pictures and videos of the accident scene, your motorcycle, and your injuries
- Contact information for anyone who saw what happened
- Insurance and driver’s license information from everyone involved
That information gives you a solid starting point. But some of the strongest evidence doesn’t become available until later, including:
- Medical records showing your injuries and treatment
- The official police report
- Traffic camera, dashcam, or surveillance footage from nearby businesses or homes
- Repair estimates and photographs showing the damage to your motorcycle
- Records showing any income you’ve lost while recovering
What this information really does is help paint a fuller picture of the accident: what happened, where it happened, and who was involved. You may not be able to gather everything yourself, and that’s okay. Start with what you can, and the rest can be tracked down as your claim moves forward.
Who’s Legally Responsible for My Damages From a Motorcycle Accident?
Every motorcycle accident is different, but an injury claim usually starts with the same question: who caused the accident and your injuries? In many cases, another driver is responsible because they did something like:
- Turned left in front of you’re approaching motorcycle
- Changed lanes without checking their blind spot
- Failed to yield the right of way to you
- Followed you too closely
- Drove while distracted by a phone or another device
These are all examples of negligence, which is the legal basis for many motorcycle accident claims. But another driver isn’t always the only person or group who might be responsible. You have to look at the whole situation, and that can sometimes bring in:
- A city or government agency if potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, poor roadway design, or missing warning signs contributed to the crash
- A company that made or sold defective tires, brakes, or another part that failed and played a role in the accident
It’s also worth talking about comparative negligence. As we’ve touched on, motorcycle accidents can bring a lot of attention to what the rider did or didn’t do. California’s comparative negligence rules allow you to still file a claim even if you played some part in the accident. That potentially means your financial damages could be reduced, but you still have the same options.
What Options Do I Have For Filing a Claim After My Motorcycle Accident?
After a motorcycle accident, filing an injury claim is probably the last thing you want to think about. You’re dealing with injuries, doctor appointments, repairs, and time away from work. Then the insurance company starts asking questions before you’ve had much of a chance to figure out what’s going on yourself.
But legally, the claims process works a lot like it does after any other accident. Depending on your situation, you can:
- File an insurance claim
- File a personal injury lawsuit
An insurance claim is usually the first step, but the insurance company isn’t necessarily looking out for you. It may question your injuries, argue you were partly at fault, or offer less than your claim is worth.
If you can’t reach a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit may be the next step. That doesn’t mean you’ll end up in court, though. Most cases settle before trial.
Either way, the goal is to recover financial support for what the accident has cost you, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Motorcycle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Funeral and burial expenses in a fatal motorcycle accident, as part of an eligible wrongful death claim
Remember, there’s a two-year deadline to file your claim, and if the city or state government is involved, the timeline is much shorter. While two years sounds like plenty of time, evidence can disappear and witnesses can become harder to reach. Getting started sooner can make a huge difference in how things play out, especially when you look at the specifics.
Where Motorcycle Accidents Happen Around Glendale
While the details of your specific motorcycle accident influence how your claim plays out, these kinds of accidents are also about larger patterns. That means motorcycle accidents in Glendale tend to happen in the same places over and over again, especially at the following spots:
- Brand Boulevard, particularly around downtown Glendale, where vehicles, pedestrians, and turning traffic all share the road.
- Glenoaks Boulevard, where steady traffic, intersections, and vehicles entering or leaving nearby businesses can create hazards.
- Colorado Street, where local traffic and connections to other busy roads mean riders need to watch for sudden turns and lane changes.
- San Fernando Road, where commercial traffic, intersections, and vehicles moving between surrounding communities can make conditions more challenging.
- Central Avenue, especially around busier commercial areas and intersections where drivers may be looking for parking or turning into businesses.
- The Glendale Freeway (State Route 2) connections, where merging traffic and changing speeds can create problems for motorcyclists.
What all these areas have in common isn’t complicated: they bring together drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and plenty of opportunities for something to go wrong. When it does, you’re left dealing with injuries and questions. It’s not something you have to face alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a claim if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes, you can. Not wearing a helmet doesn’t mean you can’t file a claim. It can affect what you get in terms of damages, though, especially if the insurance company tries to say that a helmet could have prevented some of your injuries.
What if the driver doesn’t stick around after colliding with my motorcycle?
You still have options. A hit-and-run motorcycle accident is frustrating, but if you remember as much as you can about the car, we can help track them down. Even if the driver is never found, we can help you get financial help through your own insurance.
Can I file a motorcycle accident claim without a lawyer?
Yes, you can handle things on your own. But if you’re dealing with serious injuries or an insurance company that’s pushing back, having a lawyer can make a real difference in how your claim is handled.
Free Consultations After a Motorcycle Accident in Glendale
A motorcycle accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. You’re dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, time away from work, and an insurance company that’s already looking out for its own bottom line.
Our Glendale motorcycle accident lawyers at Maison Law can explain your options, look into what happened, and deal with the insurance company so you don’t have to take on everything yourself. We’ll help you understand what comes next and work with you to get the support you need to heal. Set up a free consultation today to get started.