Maison Law is here to assist motorcycle riders who have suffered injuries because of potholes in Merced. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Merced that was caused by a pothole, contact Maison Law today. Our team of skilled motorcycle accident lawyers is eager to provide you with a free consultation and case evaluation to better understand your rights and options to secure compensation for your losses.
Do I Need a Merced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
All motorcycle riders must know that they are never legally required to hire legal representation to pursue a lawsuit. The deciding factor for many motorcycle accident victims regarding their choice to hire a lawyer typically revolves around the damages they incurred. If the expenses and losses were minimal, the choice could be to file a claim and work with an insurance company representative to resolve the matter without going to court. This could be your choice if the pothole you hit caused a flat tire or damaged the tire and rim, but you were able to avoid going down and sustaining significant damage to the bike and yourself.
Other riders will choose to go to court, but they want to handle the case on their own. Some feel the work is not worth it for legal professionals, while others think they will save money by not hiring legal representation. However, experts all agree that cases handled by a Merced motorcycle accident lawyer are likely to result in a larger settlement or more compensation for the victim than when they handle the case on their own.
The last factor you should consider is the time and stress involved in resolving a legal matter on your own. If your injuries and damages are significant, consider the advantage of a single point of focus on your healing. Added stress is sure to increase the time needed to reach a complete recovery and get back out on two wheels enjoying life. All the pros at Maison Law are here to handle the legal complexities of your Merced motorcycle accident caused by a pothole while you channel your energy to healing.
Request Your Free Consultation Today
After a motorcycle accident of any kind, you could have questions about liability, what can be included in damages for compensation, and the process of filing a lawsuit to help you recover from the financial hit of the accident. Reach out to Maison Law today, and after your free consultation and case evaluation, you will have answers to all these vital questions and understand the legal merit of the case. Then you can revisit your choices on your time frame, as there is no obligation to file a lawsuit or hire Maison Law immediately or ever. We are motivated to provide you with the facts you need to make the right choice for your immediate and long-term needs.
Determining Motorcycle Accident Caused by a Pothole Value
If you are fortunate, the physical harm and damage to your motorcycle from a pothole-related accident in Merced is minimal. But as most riders know, the cost of bike repairs and the potential for severe damage any time the bike goes down is huge. Working with your Maison Law motorcycle accident lawyer, you will compile all the economic and non-economic damages to include in the compensation sought by your lawsuit.
The economic damages are relatively simple to identify and include, as each has a very specific dollar value, such as:
- The cost to repair or replace your motorcycle
- The cost of all current medical bills related to the motorcycle accident injuries
- Projected costs for essential medical care in your future to continue treating the motorcycle injuries and further your recovery process
- The cost of any emotional therapy or counseling to address the trauma of the Merced motorcycle accident
- The cost of transportation to any medical appointments related to the bike accident injuries
- Your lost income if the motorcycle accident injuries prevent you from working until you are fully healed
- Any future lost income if the injuries from the bike accident create limitations or disabilities that will limit or decrease your career opportunities or earning potential in the future
You will also work with your Maison Law motorcycle accident lawyer to evaluate and assign a dollar value to the less tangible losses you suffered because of the pothole-related bike accident in Merced. These are items that will alter your daily life or how you enjoy it, such as
- Your ongoing pain and suffering from the injuries
- Emotional challenges like anxiety, stress or an inability to sleep
- Loss of enjoyment in hobbies like motorcycle riding, your family activities, or participation in sports
- Your contribution and activities in the lives of loved ones
- Loss of consortium and marital challenges
Who Is Responsible for a Merced PotholeAs you determine the amount of damages you face because of the pothole accident, you are sure to want to understand whom to hold accountable for the monetary and emotional losses you must endure. The list of possible liable parties for a Merced pothole motorcycle accident that occurred on a pubic roadway includes:
- The City of Merced
- Merced County
- The State of California Department of Transportation or CALTRANS
If the accident happened in a gated community, office park, or on another kind of private property, you might pursue legal action against the property owner for failure to properly maintain the road’s surface in a safe and hazard-free condition.
Statute of Limitations for a Motorcycle Accident Caused by a Pothole
If your Merced motorcycle pothole accident occurred on a government-owned street or highway, the time limit to prepare and file your case with the court is only six months after the date of the incident. This strictly enforced time limit has minimal exceptions that could provide added time to take legal action. If the accident happened on a private road, you will sue the person or entity that owned the surface and is responsible for maintaining it. In these cases, you will have a full two years from the date of the accident to file your case with the court before your right to pursue legal action expires.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding a Motorcycle Accident Caused by a Pothole
I was cited for not wearing a helmet after my pothole motorcycle accident. Can I still pursue legal action?
Yes, while helmets are required for all riders in California, receiving a ticket for not wearing a helmet will not affect your ability or right to pursue legal action against the party responsible for the pothole that caused your accident.
I was an uninsured rider at the time of the motorcycle pothole accident. Does that mean I cannot file a lawsuit for my damages?
No, your insurance could have been a factor if others could make a claim against you for damages in an accident you caused. However, when you are not liable for an accident, such as the one caused by a Merced pothole in the road, your insurance status is not a factor. You can seek compensation for your losses and expenses created by the accident.
Can I share the liability for the pothole accident in Merced and still seek compensation for my losses?
Yes, because California is a comparative liability state that allows multiple parties to share liability for accidents. The court will assign a share or percentage of the blame for the accident to each liable party. If you are a victim with losses and expenses caused by the incident, as well as a liable party, you can sue for the percentage of your damages equal to the liability shared by all liable parties other than yourself. If you were given 30% responsibility for the incident, you can legally seek up to 70% of your damages for the incident via a lawsuit against the other parties carrying liability.
Contact A Merced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a family member has sustained losses and injuries in a motorcycle accident in Merced that was caused by a pothole, reach out to Maison Law today. We provide injury victims with a free consultation and case evaluation to ensure they understand their options and how to secure any compensation they are owed for their losses. Even after this free yet informative meeting, you are never obligated to hire Maison Law or move forward with a lawsuit.
If you decide to pursue legal action with the help of Maison Law, we will handle your case and never require any upfront payments. We work on a contingency basis to ensure that our clients never face added hardships to afford legal services. The firm only gets paid after the matter is resolved and you have the settlement or compensation that includes funds to pay all your legal fees and expenses for the lawsuit.
