The personal injury lawyers at Maison Law are here to represent riders involved in a Lathrop motorcycle accident. If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident while riding, reach out to Maison Law for a free, no-obligation consultation and complete case evaluation to understand the legal merit of the matter.
Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Many of the features of motorcycle riding that you love are also facets that add to your injuries should you be involved in an accident. There is no protective structure around you, meaning your body can take a great deal of abuse if you are struck by another vehicle. In these cases, the level of your injuries can be severe. But as you evaluate your options and whether to pursue legal action related to your Lathrop motorcycle accident, you must keep in mind that, legally, you are not required to hire a lawyer to represent you or prepare a Lathrop motorcycle accident lawsuit. Victims of personal injuries are permitted to prepare and file their own lawsuit. However, you must comply with all the requirements and processes that are mandatory for the process.
If you are a fortunate rider and this is the first altercation that caused you injuries while riding, you could have little or no knowledge of the legal process to file a lawsuit related to the accident or even if you have grounds for a motorcycle accident lawsuit. So, the most valuable first step is typically a free consultation at Maison Law with a seasoned Lathrop motorcycle accident lawyer. This is one of the only times in your life that you might be afforded free information to learn what you don’t know about a serious series of choices you need to make that could impact the rest of your life.
If your injuries are serious and you will face extensive medical needs and treatment, the cost will add up quickly, and the process will take a toll on you physically and emotionally. Facing the tedious process of preparing and filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit might not be the best focus of your time and energy. No one else can put in that work for you. So, dedicate your time and motivation to healing and know that your Lathrop motorcycle accident lawyer at Maison Law is dedicating the same level of energy and drive to resolving your legal challenges.
You could also discover that if the motorcycle accident in Lathrop was less serious, you can handle resolving the matter on your own. Work with the liable party’s insurance company and wrap it up as quickly as possible. But know that if you face any challenges, all you need to do is reach out to Maison Law for guidance and legal help.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
After your Lathrop motorcycle accident, you could be filled with concerns and questions. Issues related to monetary challenges are likely some of the most bothersome items weighing heavily on your mind. The simple, free way to eliminate these unknowns is to reach out to Maison Law for a free consultation and case evaluation. There is never any obligation to pursue a lawsuit, and you are not obligated to hire our firm, even if you choose to move forward with a lawsuit. We are here simply to ensure that you and all motorcycle accident injury victims understand their rights and how Maison Law and the legal system can help protect them.
What is My Lathrop Motorcycle Accident Case Worth
Every motorcycle accident lawsuit is as unique as the bike and rider involved in the incident. At Maison Law, we are happy to help you begin the process of evaluating your damages as a result of the motorcycle accident and learning more about all of the items that can be part of the compensation to seek to resolve the hardships created when you were hurt because of another person’s negligence.
The first concept you need to understand is that two primary categories of damages could apply to your case. The first is economic damages, which are items that have a clear and concise dollar value as they are expenses you incurred or financial losses caused by the motorcycle accident. These are easy to define dollar amounts that you seek reimbursement for, such as:
- All current medical expenses related to the care and treatment of your motorcycle accident
- Projected future medical costs related to extended care or rehabilitation of the injuries from the accident
- The cost of any therapy or counseling that is required to address emotional trauma and issues caused by the motorcycle accident in Lathrop, like anxiety, stress, fear, or an inability to sleep
- Your lost wages if the injuries suffered in the Lathrop bike accident prevented you from working at your regular job until you were fully healed
- Your lost potential earning capacity if the injuries from the accident left you with a permanent disability that negatively impacted your career path or earning capabilities
- Repair or replacement of your motorcycle and other personal property damaged or destroyed in the accident
While these items are easy to tabulate because they have a clear dollar value, the non-economic damages are less defined. They will need to be evaluated to assign a monetary value. These less tangible, yet significant losses in your life can include:
- Loss of enjoyment of daily activities like motorcycle riding, participating in sports, taking part in hobby-related activities
- Pain and suffering from the injuries and treatment
- Emotional distress and challenges like PTSD or depression
- Loss of the ability to participate in various aspects of your family member’s lives
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring or disfigurement
Who is Responsible for a Lathrop Motorcycle Accident
Most people who are thinking about a vehicle accident of any kind assume that the fault for the accident and all the damages and harm it causes will fall to one of the drivers involved in the incident. And while that is true in many cases, there are a great many potentially liable parties when you dig deeper into a motorcycle accident in Lathrop to determine the cause and liability for the incident. The list of people and entities to be held accountable for your losses includes:
- Other vehicle operators
- Property owners near the site if they failed to maintain the space and their landscape or other property features were blocking traffic signs, signals, or road hazards
- Any business that owns a commercial vehicle that dropped debris on the roadway and created a hazard
- Local contractors working on the roadway or surrounding area if they created a safety hazard like blocking lanes of the road, damaging the road’s surface, or littering the road
- The owner of any vehicle that was not properly serviced and maintained and that vehicle failure caused the motorcycle accident
- The company that recently serviced or repaired your motorcycle if they returned it in unsafe condition or in disrepair
- The manufacturer of the motorcycle or any vehicle that was defective and caused the accident as a result of catastrophic failure because of the defect
- The City of Lathrop, San Joaquin County, or the State of California if the entity responsible for the road surface care or area along the road failed to provide proper care and caused the accident, for example, from a pothole or other damage to the roadway
Common Motorcycle Accidents in Lathrop
Being aware of the common causes of motorcycle accidents will not allow you to go back in time and erase the accident that has you contemplating a motorcycle accident lawsuit. But it could help you and others be more aware of the hazards that motorcycle riders face each day and be more prepared to avoid painful and costly incidents such as:
- Sideswiping of a motorcycle
- Vehicles making unsafe lane changes and hitting a motorcycle or running it off the road
- Turning left in front of a motorcycle
- Rear-ending a motorcycle
- Head-on collisions
- Failure to yield
- Motorcycle accidents caused by falling objects
- Inappropriate speed for the road or weather conditions
- Making a sudden stop in front of a motorcycle
- Heavy equipment or farm equipment on the roadway
- Passing on a two-lane road
Common Locations of Motorcycle Accidents
Any time drivers are not focused and paying attention to their surroundings, they increase the potential for an accident that will injure others. Sadly, several locations around Lathrop appear to be more common for motorcycle accidents, possibly due to the level of traffic or the lack of focus of drivers in the area, like:
- On the I-5
- Ramps onto the highway
- Park entrances and exits such as Mossdale Crossing
- Intersections near shopping malls like Golden Valley Parkway and River Islands Parkway near Target and Sprouts
- Near schools or places of worship at heavy traffic times
Statute of Limitations for a Motorcycle Accident
As the victim of a motorcycle accident in California, you will typically have two years from the date of the accident to have your case filed with the court. If the case is not filed within the time allotted, you lose the right to pursue legal action related to damages caused by that specific incident. It is also important to understand that in cases where the liable party is a government entity or agency, like the City of Lathrop, your time to take legal action is decreased to only six months from the date of your accident. This time limit is also strictly enforced and offers little option for added time if you fail to file in the provided time period.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lathrop Motorcycle Accidents
Can I file a motorcycle accident lawsuit if I was partially to blame for the accident?
Yes, you can pursue compensation for damages caused in an accident where you shared the blame. But you can only seek compensation for a portion of the total damages you sustained, as California is a comparative liability state.
What is comparative liability?
In California, more than one party can be found to be at fault for an accident. In these cases, a determination is made that assigns a percentage of the blame to each liable party, which can be more than two. The parties considered liable can also be considered victims and are permitted to sue other liable parties for a portion of their damages equal to the percentage of liability the other parties share for the accident. For example, if you are 25% liable for the accident and another party is deemed 50% responsible, you could sue them for 50% of your damages, as well as suing the final liable party for 25% of your damages, which is the amount of blame or liability they were assigned.
If I get in an accident while lane splitting, can I still pursue legal action?
Lane splitting, or riding between vehicles, is legal in California. Drivers are legally obligated to watch for motorcycles lane splitting and avoid changing lanes or obstructing their path. If you are in an accident while lane splitting and the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you can pursue legal action.
Contact a Lathrop Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a family member was hurt due to a motorcycle accident in Lathrop, you can contact Maison Law for a free consultation and case evaluation to ensure you understand your options. Our Lathrop motorcycle accident lawyer will help you understand liability in the case and its legal merit, so you have all the facts needed to make a well-informed choice about taking legal action to recover damages.
If you choose to hire Maison Law to represent you in this matter, we will never ask for any upfront fees or expenses. We work only on a contingency basis. That means our fees are paid as part of the compensation or settlement you receive, so you are never out of pocket for these expenses. And we are only paid after winning the lawsuit or reaching a settlement, so you never need to worry about how to cover legal expenses.
