Maison Law helps people that are injured in accidents in Hanford. There’s a lot of different kinds of accidents you could be in, but typically, a motorcycle accident is much more challenging. Motorcycle accidents can happen for many reasons, but they almost always have serious consequences for you, the rider. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you have legal options. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
Motorcycle accidents might come with the territory of riding, but they’re still unfortunate. Whether you’ll need a lawyer’s help depends on how serious your injuries are. For minor accidents, you might not need to take legal action, although you still have the right to do so.
However, serious injuries are far more common in motorcycle accidents, and that’s when our team can provide real support by:
- Explaining your rights and options.
- Investigating the accident to figure out what happened and who’s responsible.
- Collecting and reviewing evidence to strengthen your case.
- Handling all correspondence with insurance companies to protect your claim and prevent harmful statements.
- Negotiating with insurance companies to get a fair settlement.
- If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we’ll prepare to take your case to court.
We’re here to make the legal process easier for you and your family. While a motorcycle accident can create significant challenges, having our team on your side can be very beneficial for you.
Who’s Responsible for the Damage From a Motorcycle Accident?
In any motorcycle accident, somebody is going to be responsible for what happened. In legal terms, this is called “liability,” and it’s an extremely important part of the process because the person (or group) that’s liable is the one that actually pays for the resulting damage. To figure out liability, you need to show negligence, or:
- That someone’s actions caused the accident and your injuries.
With these parameters, any of the following can potentially be liable for your injuries and other losses from your motorcycle accident:
- Drivers of other vehicles
- Government agencies
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers
- Construction crews
- Employers
- Pedestrians or passengers
- Other motorcycle or bicycle riders
If you were partially at fault, such as by speeding or lane splitting, it could impact your ability to file a claim. Under California’s comparative negligence law, your damages are going to be reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident. So, you can still file a claim if you’re partially at fault, but you might not get as much.
What Damages Can You Get in a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
When you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, you have the right to file an injury claim and recover damages. So, after you figure out who’s liable for your damages, you can either file:
- An insurance claim out of court.
- A personal injury lawsuit.
Both options help you recover damages, but they work differently. Lawsuits are formal and handled in court with a judge, while insurance claims are less formal and settled outside of court.
If your claim is successful, you might be able to get damages for your:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care costs
- Lost wages or reduced earning potential
- Property repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship
- Wrongful death expenses (in fatal accidents)
There’s a key deadline for any claim–you have to file within two years of the accident, as required by California’s statute of limitations. Once that’s handled, we’ll guide you through the process, so you can focus on recovery. But importantly, there’s things you can do to strengthen your claim.
What Can You Do to Strengthen Your Claim?
It’s true that riding a motorcycle is thrilling, but the major drawback is that it comes with pretty serious accidents–even at low speeds. Part of understanding your options means knowing how to protect your claim if one happens to you. So, if you’re in a motorcycle accident, here’s how you can protect and strengthen your claim:
- Call 911 – Call 911 if you’re injured. Get checked by EMTs at the scene, even if you feel fine. Hidden injuries may show up later.
- Call the police – Have the 911 dispatcher report the accident to the Hanford police so they can respond to the scene and manage it. They can help you get information from others.
- Exchange information – Get contact, insurance, and vehicle details with the other driver. Get contact info from witnesses too.
- Document the accident scene – Use your phone to take pictures or videos of the vehicles, your injuries, and the surroundings.
- Report the accident to your insurance company – Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible and provide accurate details.
- Keep evidence – Save medical bills, repair receipts, emails, and letters related to the accident. Avoid fixing your motorcycle or other damaged items until they’re documented.
- Be careful with statements – Keep from sharing too much with the other driver’s insurance company. Keep your statements simple and avoid posting about the accident on social media.
- Follow your treatment plan – Stick to your doctor’s recommendations and attend all follow-up appointments.
Taking these steps is key to showing how the accident has affected your life. Solid evidence strengthens your claim and ensures your voice is heard. But remember, it also comes down to the circumstances of what happened.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Hanford?
It’s pretty easy to see why a motorcycle accident happens as a rider. Not only are you moving at fairly high speeds, you’re also vulnerable to collisions with larger vehicles and don’t have nearly as much protection. All of that adds up to pretty serious injuries. But you need to understand how these accidents happen too. Usually, they involve:
- Failure to yield – Drivers not giving the right of way to motorcyclists.
- Reckless driving – Tailgating, weaving through traffic, or ignoring signals put motorcyclists at risk.
- Driving impaired – Alcohol or drug use by drivers leads to severe injuries or fatalities.
- Speeding – Excessive speed or driving too fast for conditions makes it harder to avoid accidents.
- Distractions – Using phones, GPS, or talking to passengers can cause drivers to miss motorcycles.
- Illegal turns – Left turns in front of motorcycles often lead to collisions.
- Defective parts – Faulty brakes or tires can fail and cause crashes.
- Dooring – Opening car doors without checking can hit motorcyclists or force them into traffic.
- Lower visibility – Poor weather or heavy traffic makes motorcycles harder to see.
No matter what the cause of your motorcycle accident is, our team can guide you through the claims process to make sure you have what you need to get a fair settlement and recover from your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common are motorcycle accidents in Hanford?
Statistically, motorcycle accidents are pretty common in Hanford. According to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there have been an average of 11.8 motorcycle accidents per year over the last five years.
Can I file a claim if I’m the only one involved in the motorcycle accident?
It depends. If the accident was caused by a pothole or a broken road sign, you might be able to file a claim against the city or state government.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Two years from the date of the accident.
Contact Maison Law After a Motorcycle Accident in Hanford
A motorcycle accident in Hanford can leave you with serious injuries and challenges. At Maison Law, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Let our experienced team help you recover and make your way through the legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation to get the recovery process started.
