Maison Law represents the families of fatal truck accident victims in Lancaster. If you’ve lost a loved one due to a careless driver, the Wrongful Death Attorneys at Maison Law are here to guide you and your family through every step of the legal process.
We understand nothing can replace the loss of a loved one, but we have the legal resources to help you regain financial security and bring some semblance of closure to this unfortunate period of your life. Contact Maison Law today for a free, confidential consultation.
How Maison Law Can Help
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are not uncommon in California. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, fatal motorcycle accidents have been increasing year over year.
So, if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of losing a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, the Wrongful Death Attorneys at Maison Law can help. Our experienced attorneys will aggressively pursue the compensation you need for medical bills, funeral expenses, and all other financial damages associated with the loss. Our legal support includes:
- Investigating the accident: we will uncover evidence to support your case and establish liability and the scope of your damages.
- Managing legal paperwork and communications: our firm will handle all communications to help you avoid the risk of inadvertently devaluing your claim by speaking with the defense, as well as allow you to grieve without having to deal with the legalities of your case.
- Negotiating on your behalf: we will work diligently to negotiate a fair settlement for the full value of your case.
- Litigating your case: If a settlement cannot be reached, our experienced wrongful death attorneys will represent you in court and fight for the compensation you and your family need.
How Common are Motorcycle Accidents? | Motorcycle Statistics
California has more registered motorcycles than anywhere else in the United States. With California’s beautiful weather and enthralling landscape, its roadways can be the ideal location for motorcycle riding. However, the high-traffic areas across the Golden State present more risk of motorcycle accidents than anywhere else in the country. These dangers can be seen in California’s motorcycle accident statistics:
- According to the Transportation Injury Mapping System, in 2021 alone there were over 2,800 motorcycle accidents.
- In 2018, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were nearly 500 motorcycle fatalities in California.
- In Fresno’s Los Angeles County, men (ages 19 to 25 years old) are most likely victims of motorcycle accidents due to inexperience on a motorcycle.
- Sport motorcycles, built for going fast, are 4x more likely to get into a fatal motorcycle accident than all other types of motorcycles.
- In 2017, 29% of fatal motorcycle accident victims had a blood alcohol concentration of at least .08.
Most Common Causes of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Lancaster
Since 1997, according to the Federal Highway Administration, fatal motorcycle accidents have gone significantly up, while fatal car accidents have gone down. Why is that? While it may come as no surprise to some, motorcycles travel at a much higher rate of speed and with far less protection than all other vehicles on the road. The most common collisions resulting in fatal motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: even momentary glances can cause devastating accidents. Distracted driving can be proven through camera footage, cell phone records, and collision investigations.
- Speeding: speeding only increases the severity of accidents and is a leading contributor to fatal motorcycle accidents every year in California. A driver’s CPU data can potentially reveal their speed before an accident.
- Moving violation: running red lights, illegal U-turns, or failing to yield can disrupt the flow of traffic, leading to major accidents. These illegal actions can typically be proven by traffic camera footage and eyewitnesses.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): this action is one of the leading causes of fatal motorcycle accidents in California.
- Lane-splitting: occurs when motorcyclists ride between lanes of traffic, which can lead to accidents if drivers are not aware of the motorcyclist.
Who Can Receive Compensation in a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Lancaster?
Once a wrongful death lawsuit concludes with a settlement, it can sometimes be confusing as to who can be eligible to receive compensation. Fortunately, In California, there are laws and procedures to ensure who can be compensated. According to the Code of Civil Procedure, section 377.60, the following people can seek compensation for a wrongful death:
- Surviving spouses
- Domestic partners
- Children
- Grandchildren (only if the deceased person’s children have also passed away
- Stepchildren may claim damages if they were at least 50% dependent on the decedent’s financial support
- Anyone entitled to the deceased’s property under intestate succession law
However, if no one in the decedent’s life fits the listed people above, there are additional individuals who qualify for compensation. If a person is dependent on the decedent such as a stepchild, or parent, they can be entitled to compensation.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Lancaster?
A wrongful death settlement from a fatal motorcycle accident is the most effective recourse to pursuing justice for the surviving family members of the decedent. Your attorney will take legal action to hold individuals, businesses, or other accountable entities for tragically taking away your loved one. Once all the at-fault parties have been brought into the lawsuit, the value of your settlement ultimately depends on:
- The age and earning potential of the victim: the lost income is reached by combining the victim’s life expectancy and their earning potential had it not been for the fatal accident.
- Whether or not the victim was partially responsible: California is a “shared fault” state and the victim can be assigned blame for their death, reducing the amount of compensation.
- Insurance policy limits of the at-fault party: drivers are required to have insurance and most do. However, most car insurance policies have caps. So, if the cap is met, then you’ll have to resort to other alternatives.
In addition to these factors are the damages you and your family have had to endure, such as:
- medical bills before the loss of a loved one
- pain and suffering
- and loss of the deceased’s income
Contact a Lancaster Fatal Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident due to a careless driver in Lancaster, the Wrongful Death Attorneys at Maison Law can help you lessen your financial burdens and secure a financial future for you and your family. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There is no upfront charge or hidden costs, and we don’t make a cent until we’ve won your case.
