Maison Law can help you through the claims process if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Manhattan Beach. There’s nothing quite like taking a ride on your motorcycle in Manhattan Beach. Whether it’s down the PCH or riding through town on Sepulveda Boulevard, that excitement can change to pain in an instant when you’re in an accident. We can help you through it. Set up a free consultation today.
When a Lawyer Makes Sense
For as great as riding your motorcycle is in Manhattan Beach, it’s pretty easy to see how that can change if you’re in a collision with a car or you hit a pothole. Unlike someone inside a car, you don’t have much protecting you in one of those situations. Even if it happens at lower speeds, it can leave you with broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, road rash, and months of recovery.
And that’s not the only challenge. Insurance companies don’t look at motorcycle accidents the same way they do others, either. A lot of that has to do with the inherent risks that come with riding. Add all that up, and talking to our motorcycle accident team starts to make a lot more sense. We can help you by:
- Looking into exactly how the accident happened
- Getting information and evidence before it’s lost
- Finding everyone who may be responsible
- Handling the insurance company and settlement talks
- Tallying the full value of your claim
After a motorcycle accident, your priority should be getting better. We’ll handle the legal process and work to protect your rights from the very beginning.
Information That Can Help a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Motorcycle accidents happen in a split-second, but the aftermath is almost always extremely painful and confusing. However, the building blocks of a potential claim start right there at the scene. The very first thing you should do, though, is call 911 and report the accident. Everything else flows from getting medical help and a police response.
Then, if it’s safe and you’re able, try get a few basic things like:
- Pictures and videos of the accident scene, your motorcycle, and your injuries
- Contact information for any witnesses who saw what happened
- Insurance and driver’s license information from everyone involved
That information gives you a solid starting point. But some of the strongest evidence doesn’t become available until later, including:
- Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment
- The official police report
- Traffic camera, dashcam, or surveillance footage from nearby businesses or homes
- Repair estimates and photographs showing the damage to your motorcycle
- Documentation showing any income you’ve lost while recovering
What this information really does is paint a full picture about the accident—what happened, where it happened, and who was involved. With that, you’ll have a solid foundation for what comes next.
Who’s Legally Responsible for My Damages From a Motorcycle Accident?
Every motorcycle accident is different, but every injury claim starts with the same question: who caused the accident and my injuries?
In the vast majority of motorcycle accidents, another driver is responsible because they:
- Turned left in front of an approaching motorcycle
- Changed lanes without checking their blind spot
- Failed to yield the right of way
- Followed too closely
- Pulled into traffic without enough room
- Drove while distracted by a phone or other device
These are all examples of negligence, which is the legal basis for most motorcycle accident claims. But another driver isn’t always the only person or group that might be responsible. You have to take everything into account, and that sometimes brings in:
- A city or government agency that didn’t fix potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, poor roadway design, or missing warning signs.
- A company that made defective tires, brake parts, or some other part of the bike that failed and led to the accident.
This is a good place to mention comparative negligence. As we’ve touched on, motorcycle accidents are different because there’s a lot of focus on you, the rider, after an accident. Comparative negligence is a rule in California that says any percentage of fault you share in the accident is going to reduce your potential damages by that same percentage. It doesn’t prevent you from filing a claim, but it is something insurance companies like to use in these kinds of accidents.
How the Claims Process Works After a Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle accident, it’s tough to think about filing an injury claim. You’re dealing with injuries, doctor appointments, repairs, and time away from work. Then the insurance company starts asking questions before you’ve had much of a chance to figure out what’s going on yourself. But at least legally, it’s good to know that the actual claims process works the same way as it would in any other type of accident. You can either:
- File an insurance claim
- File a personal injury lawsuit
Insurance is usually the first step, and it happens outside of court. The downside is that the insurance company controls the process. They may question how badly you were hurt, argue that some of your treatment wasn’t related to the accident, or suggest you were partly responsible for what happened. In many cases, they’ll offer a settlement that sounds reasonable at first but doesn’t fully account for everything the accident has cost you.
If that’s what happens, you can go forward with a lawsuit. That doesn’t automatically mean you’re headed to trial. Most cases settle before ever reaching a courtroom. Instead, it usually means both sides exchange evidence, take depositions, and take a much closer look at the facts before trying to resolve the case.
Either way, you’re able to get financial support that relates to your “damages”, and that usually includes:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Motorcycle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Funeral and burial expenses in a fatal motorcycle accident
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. That sounds like a lot of time, but the longer you wait, the more things can—and often do—change.
Where Motorcycle Accidents Happen Around Manhattan Beach
It’s pretty obvious that motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere in Manhattan Beach because of how popular it is here. But accidents are about patterns, and because of that, certain spots around the city see more than their fair share of them. Typically, they happen in places like:
- Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1)
- Sepulveda Boulevard
- Artesia Boulevard
- Rosecrans Avenue
- Aviation Boulevard
- Manhattan Beach Boulevard near PCH
- Highland Avenue and downtown Manhattan Beach
What all of these spots have in common isn’t complicated: they have a huge mix of drivers, pedestrians, other riders, and everything else that can lead to an accident. But no matter where yours happens, you’re left facing injuries and questions. It’s not something you have to face alone, though.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is getting a lawyer really necessary?
Not every motorcycle accident needs a lawyer. But if you’re seriously injured or the insurance company isn’t treating your claim fairly, it can help to have our team handle the legal side of things.
What if the road itself caused me to lose control of my motorcycle?
You might still have a claim. Potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, or other dangerous road conditions can create responsibility beyond just another driver.
Can I file a claim if my loved one was killed in the accident?
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents can be deadly. If someone else caused the accident, your family might be able to file what’s called a “wrongful death” claim and get different damages.
Free Consultations After a Motorcycle Accident in Manhattan Beach
A motorcycle accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. You’re dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, time away from work, and an insurance company that’s already trying to protect its bottom line.
Our Manhattan Beach motorcycle accident lawyers at Maison Law can explain your legal options, deal with the insurance company, and help you get the help you need to move forward. Reach out today to schedule your free consultation.
