Motorcyclists wrecked by the large potholes that constantly pop up on Madera streets can seek support for their injuries and bike damage. The City of Madera and other government entities are often found liable for their negligence when they put off repairs on potholes and endanger riders.
A Madera motorcycle accident lawyer represents victims and can often win full compensation from a city or county department that is negligent in road repairs. Our skilled lawyers offer a free, no-obligation case consultation to all bicyclists. If you do need our help to earn more, we also make sure there are no upfront fees. If you hire us, we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Then our fee comes out of the settlement you win.
Do I Need a Lawyer for My Motorcycle Accident Caused by a Pothole?
Your injuries usually determine whether you require a lawyer’s help for your case or not. If your injuries are serious after a fall caused by a jolt from a hole in the road, your case could have a much better outcome with a lawyer’s help.
More severe injuries like a broken bone, a neck or back injury, or head trauma, carry higher bills at the hospital. The higher financial stakes make government lawyers and insurers fight harder against accepting blame. They’ll pull out all the stops to either blame a motorcycle crash on you, saying you were clumsy or they’ll find weak excuses to reject your case or limit the support you receive.
A Madera Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can document your entire accident and the hazard that caused it. Your attorney also works with your doctors, so there’s no question of how much you’ll require in a settlement to make a full recovery. Then your lawyer fights for you and can often secure much more for you than you could by taking on the City of Madera yourself.
Who Is Responsible for My Motorcycle Accident After Hitting a Pothole?
The City of Madera works on potholes they see and on those that get reported by drivers, riders, and residents. They must take action when huge holes open up in the roads, but they often put off repairs due to manpower shortages or budget concerns.
It’s up to the city’s Street Maintenance crew to inspect for this type of damage and check all reports of potholes. They must make repairs in a reasonable amount of time because if a rider comes along and is forced into a collision or crash, the city could be liable. That same responsibility applies to the Madera County Public Works department on roads outside city limits.
If a pothole had been reported as a danger before or had caused an accident before, that would be powerful evidence against the city or county after a frightening accident.
Crews can put off important repairs that endanger car tires, but the damage to motorcycles and injuries to motorcyclists can be much worse.
Cars have four wheels, so they aren’t sent out of control quite so easily, but a motorcycle is balanced on two slender wheels and can face much more danger from a pothole bump.
City or County entities may be liable, but they also have teams of government lawyers who are there to attack a motorcyclist’s case and question all injuries. The city’s liability insurers would love to blame all accidents on riders and often get away with this if victims don’t have legal protection as they go through the claims process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I strengthen my pothole accident case?
If you are hurt, call for an ambulance as soon as possible. Then, make sure you are safe and out of the way of traffic. Once the scene is secure and you feel strong enough, capturing evidence at the scene of your accident is extremely helpful for your case. The pothole that caused your crash could be quickly repaired before you get the chance to return. Take photos of the hole and try to show the dimensions of the hole, perhaps by putting your shoe next to it. Make sure your photos show your injuries if they are visible, and show damage to your clothing. Get witness contact information. Note the address of the business or house bordering the accident scene. Make sure you know how to find the spot again.
How long can I wait to file an injury claim against the City of Madera?
When filing a lawsuit against a government entity, the statute of limitations comes quickly. Governments are protected by special legal safeguards when facing litigation. You may only have months, often six months, to file your claim or lose your chance to get help. In a normal personal injury claim against a homeowner or business owner, victims have up to two years to file a lawsuit. There are other safeguards that make these cases very complex. It’s a good idea to have a legal professional helping you with your case any time you must file a claim with a city, a county, or the State of California.
What is compensated if I crash my motorcycle due to a pothole?
A good attorney would demand help with all of the motorcyclist’s medical bills, including the cost of care that’s anticipated to be needed in the future. The physical pain motorcycle accident victims must endure, and the emotional trauma of a frightening crash and a difficult recovery, can also add to the amount on a settlement check. This should include the loss of enjoyment of life when victims can’t hop on their motorcycles for weeks or months. The paychecks and job benefits that victims forfeit must be replaced for as long as they can’t work. The cost of motorcycle repairs may be included. The money to purchase a whole new motorcycle might be part of compensation.
Contact a Madera Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today…
To get started, Maison Law offers a free case consultation to all motorcycle accident victims. It’s a confidential meeting, and there’s never any obligation.
If you need our help, your lawyer will immediately begin investigating your case. Maison Law files your claim on your behalf so you can focus on recovery, allowing you to return to your rides as soon as possible.
No Stress About Paying a Lawyer: It’s important to note that you don’t have to have any money to afford legal protection. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless you get paid. That means we only get paid if we win your case. Then, our fee comes out of the settlement check that an insurance company for the city must write for you.
