The team at Maison Law is here to help riders who have been involved in an accident because of potholes in Porterville. If you were involved in a single-vehicle accident that damaged your bike, caused you injuries, or an accident involving other vehicles and a pothole, please get in touch with Maison Law today for a free consultation to evaluate your potential case. Even if you did not have insurance coverage at the time, our lawyers can offer insight into seeking compensation for your losses and expenses caused by potholes in Porterville.
Do I Need a Lawyer After an Accident Caused by a Pothole?
While you do not need to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer, it could be in your best interest financially and emotionally to consider hiring one. Not only will the cost of essential medical care add up quickly, but you might also face added financial hardships because you are unable to work and earn a living. These issues, along with the pain and challenges of your injuries, will create a significant amount of stress that can impact everything from your healing to your ability to sleep. Then consider that you might be trying to resolve the responsibility for the motorcycle accident with the City of Porterville, and suddenly you feel very overwhelmed.
Instead of facing countless phone calls and conferences, tedious paperwork, and reliving the trauma of your Porterville motorcycle accident each time you speak to a new person involved in the case, allow the legal team at Maison Law to handle this process for you so that you can focus on the most essential task of recovering from your injuries.
Schedule Your Free Motorcycle Pothole Accident Consultation
At Maison Law, we are here to ensure that all motorcycle riders in Porterville have access to professional legal information and guidance after being involved in a pothole accident. As a rider, you know that not all drivers pay attention to or see motorcycles, bicyclists, and even pedestrians as they should. But you might never expect to suffer losses and injuries because of damage to the road surface. Sadly, this situation can add a level of confusion and complexity to your motorcycle accident case that you can only sort out with a free consultation. A Maison Law motorcycle accident lawyer will evaluate your accident and explain all your options in simple terms so that you can make a well-informed choice about your next action.
For background on motorcycle crashes, see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s research, the Insurance Information Institute, and UC Berkeley SafeTREC’s 2024 motorcycle safety facts.
How Much a Porterville Pothole Motorcycle Accident Case is Worth
Each motorcycle accident is unique, and the value of your motorcycle accident caused by a pothole in Porterville will depend on many factors, like the severity of your injuries, the damage to your bike, and other damages sustained. During your free consultation with a Maison Law motorcycle lawyer, you will discuss in more detail the damages you can seek in your lawsuit. These damages can be financial and non-financial. Some of the more common financial damages you might face include:
- Medical bills related to your injuries
- The cost of therapy or counseling for emotional trauma as a result of the motorcycle accident
- Your lost income if you are unable to work during your recovery
- The cost to repair or replace your motorcycle
- The cost to repair or replace other personal property damaged in the motorcycle accident such as personal technology, clothing, jewelry, or protective riding gear
In addition to these items that are more easily documented, you have the right to pursue compensation for damages that are not as easily equated to a dollar value. Your motorcycle accident lawyer at Maison Law can assist you in fully evaluating these non-financial damages. Some of them can include your loss of enjoyment in riding, decreased level of overall activity and capabilities that impact your daily life and overall physical fitness, loss of ability to participate in activities with loved ones, family or friends.
Who Can I Sue for a Motorcycle Accident Caused by a Pothole
After a motorcycle accident that was caused by a pothole in the road’s surface, you might be confused about whom to hold accountable for the hazard and how to move forward to resolve your losses and expenses. In Porterville, the road where you suffered your motorcycle accident will fall under the jurisdiction of one of three entities:
- The City of Porterville
- Tulare County
- The State of California Department of Transportation also known as Caltrans
Your motorcycle accident lawyer at Maison Law will help you identify the liable party to hold accountable for your injuries resulting from a hazardous pothole on a roadway the entity is responsible for maintaining.
For the general duty of care, see California Civil Code § 1714(a). Learn more in our premises liability overview.
Statute of Limitations for Accidents Caused by Potholes
Because your motorcycle accident was caused by a pothole and the liable party is a government entity, the time limit for you to take action is shorter than you might expect. In California, any claim that is made against a government entity must be filed within six months of the date of the incident. An administrative claim must be filed within the time allotted to be permitted to pursue legal action in the case. Your Maison Law motorcycle accident lawyer can provide more information during your free consultation, as you discuss your case and explore your options for a swift and equitable resolution.
For claims against a California state agency rather than a city, see the Department of General Services claim page.
What to do Immediately After a Porterville Pothole Motorcycle Accident
As with any motorcycle accident, if you are injured, please call 911 immediately. Your health and safety are always the priorities. If you were not seriously injured but see damage to your bike or other vehicles were involved, please know that taking a few pictures of the pothole and your bike right after the accident can be very helpful if you later decide to pursue legal action. Be sure you can safely take photos of the bike and where it is damaged, as well as the damaged pothole area in the lane. This documentation could be very useful to your motorcycle accident lawyer at Maison Law if you choose to seek compensation for your losses and expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents Caused by a Pothole in Porterville
Can I pursue legal action for my motorcycle accident caused by a pothole even if I did not have insurance?
In California, you can seek compensation for all damages even when you do not have insurance. Your Maison Law motorcycle accident lawyer can explain more about this process during your free consultation.
I was not wearing a helmet at the time of my accident. Can I still pursue legal action?
While all riders are required to wear a helmet, you can still pursue damages caused by the pothole in the road in Porterville, even if you were not wearing a helmet.
Can I be held partially accountable for a motorcycle accident caused by a pothole?
California is a comparative liability state, so you can bear a portion of the liability for a motorcycle accident that involved a pothole in Porterville. However, you can typically still seek compensation for the percentage of your losses and expenses equal to the share of liability of other liable parties.
If you are found to have 20% liability and the city is carrying the remaining 80% of the liability for the motorcycle accident, you still have the right to seek compensation for 80% of your losses and expenses.
Contact a Porterville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has become the victim of a motorcycle accident caused by a pothole in Porterville, please reach out to the legal team at Maison Law to discuss your case with a motorcycle accident lawyer who will explain your options. We are proud to offer all riders in the Porterville community a free consultation to review the facts of the accident, your injuries, and the damages that you can seek via a lawsuit.
Please also know that we will never ask for any upfront payments for our services as we work on a contingency basis and only get paid after your case is resolved and you have received compensation for your losses and expenses caused by the motorcycle accident. Finally, we wish you all the best and a fast recovery from this stressful and unfortunate incident, and we offer our services if you choose to have a legal professional handle your motorcycle accident caused by a pothole in Porterville.
