Maison Law of Lancaster represents motorcycle accident victims hurt by the actions of careless drivers. Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers hold reckless drivers liable for the damage and injuries they cause. Contact Maison Law to talk with a real lawyer about your options in a free, no-obligation consultation. You’ll learn what your injury is worth and how to secure the compensation you need to recover.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident?
Riders are extremely vulnerable to collisions caused by careless drivers as they ride in the open air. They can easily suffer traumatic injuries and be out of work for weeks as they try to heal. Sadly, when recovery costs will be high, car insurance companies make it even harder for victims to get the support they need.
They try to blame the motorcyclist for what happened simply to avoid having to pay what’s fair in compensation. Insurance adjusters will also downplay the seriousness of a rider’s injury, or even claim it was a pre-existing injury.
If your accident results in a serious injury, you may need the help of a skilled motorcycle collision attorney to fight back when insurance companies attempt these tactics. You also want a lawyer to watch over their settlement offers and make sure those checks will cover every hardship you and your family have been through. Your lawyer helps you reject “lowball” offers and demands the support needed to help you rebuild your life and get you back to the motorcycle rides you love.
How Many Motorcycle Accidents Occur in Lancaster Each Year?
California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) reports that in 2023 there were 42 motorcycle accidents involving injury in Lancaster. Those accidents were the cause of 5 tragic deaths. Those figures were thankfully down a bit from 2022’s shocking incident count. That year brought 55 serious collisions and caused at least 11 heartbreaking fatalities.
Lancaster is a crossroads where riders can head off into the desert, up into the mountains, or into Southern California. It’s a popular place for motorcyclists, but riders still must beware of the reckless moves of those in cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Common Causes for Motorcycle Accidents in Lancaster
Riders in Lancaster can often steer clear of drivers who aren’t looking out properly for the motorcyclists alongside them. Unfortunately, some motorists make mistakes that riders can’t manage to swerve around.
Riders may be cruising down Highway 14 or out on 138 when motorists veer over on them without checking blind spots. They may have to navigate an unfocused driver cutting them off as the driver makes a turn.
These are just a few of the dangerous moves riders must try to avoid:
- Dangerous Lane Changes – Drivers in bigger, heavier vehicles sometimes don’t bother to check their mirrors and blind spots and veer over onto a motorcyclist beside them. It’s also a common risk as traffic merges to get on or off a highway. All riders know to try to avoid the blind spots of drivers, but when drivers get reckless accidents might be impossible to avoid.
- Dangerous Turns — Drivers preparing for a left-hand turn or a U-Turn can get anxious and don’t always take the time needed to spot the smaller profile of an oncoming rider. They monitor oncoming traffic, think the coast is clear, and begin their turn. The driver becomes a wide, slow-turning obstacle for motorcyclists in the opposite lane. Riders have little time or space to slow down and steer clear.
- Lane Splitting – This occurs when a motorcyclist travels between two lanes of slow-moving traffic. It also occurs when traffic jams on highways grind traffic to a stop. Many drivers are unaware that motorcyclists have this legal right to split lanes in California. They might open their doors in a traffic jam or leave little room on one side of the lane, not checking to see if a motorcyclist is moving alongside them.
- Rear-end Collisions – Another problem with drivers unwilling to take the time to identify when riders are nearby. They can come upon stopped traffic but not hit the brakes in time to avoid crashing into the back of a motorcycle. Stop-and-go traffic also makes motorcycle rear-end accidents more likely.
- Road rage and Aggressive Driving – Drivers can lose their heads over the perfectly legal maneuvers of motorcyclists and try to run down a rider. They can also exceed speed limits leaving less time to show caution to those on motorcycles. They might be switching lanes within inches of cars and motorcycles. What is only a fender bender for a car or SUV might lead to a traumatic injury for a rider.
After these sorts of scary incidents and others, it’s critical that motorcycle collision victims talk over their cases with a skilled Maison Law legal representative. Victims may be robbed of thousands of dollars in additional settlement benefits when they are kept in the dark about what their accident claims should be worth.
Earning Compensation for Lancaster Motorcycle Accident Victims
After a motorcycle accident, victims will want to secure as much evidence as possible to stop an insurance company from changing the facts. The more evidence presented in your injury claim, the better chance you’ll have of getting the maximum in support available from a car insurance provider.
Call 911 after an accident. Get checked out by paramedics and give the Highway Patrol a full account of what happened. Then, if you are left strong enough to move around, and the scene is safe, try to gather some details.
Take photos of the damage to vehicles and your motorcycle. Show any visible injuries and damaged gear and clothing. Get contact info from witnesses. Hang on to your bike and damaged clothing as evidence. Alert your motorcycle accident insurance provider about what happened. See your own doctor in the days that follow, even if you went to the emergency room.
Once you’ve alerted Maison Law about your accident, your lawyer will collect any other evidence necessary to back up your case. When it’s time to file an injury claim, your attorney works with you to make sure every damage you’ve suffered in an accident and during a difficult recovery is documented and listed.
These and other factors could all factor into the size of your motorcycle accident injury settlement check:
- Current medical bills and those expected in the future.
- All costs associated with a permanent physical disability. Lifelong support from an insurance provider.
- The emotional trauma caused by the aftermath of scary collisions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. You may not be able to participate in family activities or get back on a motorcycle for months.
- The anguish experienced due to constant physical pain.
- Lost wages and benefits while you are unable to work.
- Money for motorcycle repairs or a new motorcycle.
- Wrongful Death benefits for the families of victims. Support to help loved ones pay for a funeral and leftover medical bills. Money to keep the family afloat in the years to come as they lose the income the victim would have provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Injury Claim in Lancaster?
Two years. California sets the statute of limitations on a personal injury case at 24 months. If you wait beyond two years, you usually won’t be allowed to seek compensation for your hardships.
Can I ask for injury support if I wasn’t wearing a helmet in a motorcycle accident?
Yes. You may not have been wearing a helmet, but that doesn’t get an at-fault driver off the hook for all liability. You can still ask for help with your recovery costs.
What if I can’t afford to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
You don’t need any upfront money to hire Maison Law’s attorneys. We don’t get any fee unless we win your case for you. Then our payment comes out of the settlement money a car insurance company must pay you.
Contact a Lancaster Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident in and around Lancaster, discuss your case with Maison Law first. Insurance companies will try to offer you the lowest settlement possible. They are more interested in their bottom line than your full recovery.
If you allow Maison Law’s skilled Lancaster Motorcycle Accident Lawyers to represent your case, you can rest assured that our legal team will be fighting for your best interest. Let us tackle frustrating communication with insurance adjusters, allowing you to focus on healing and returning to your motorcycle.
We will build a strong case for you to obtain the maximum settlement or award for your injuries. Contact us right away for a free, no-obligation case consultation.
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