Maison Law helps people in Redding when they’re hurt in a motorcycle accident. Every rider also knows the risks that come with being on a motorcycle. It only takes one distracted driver on Cypress Avenue or a quick lane change near the I-5 ramps to turn a good day into a life-changing accident. When that happens, the road back can feel overwhelming. That’s where our team at Maison Law can step in and help you through the process. Set up a free consultation today to get started.
Do I Really Need a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident?
Like a lot of accidents, the answer to the question of do you need a lawyer depends on the circumstances. If you tipped your bike in a parking lot or walked away with just a scraped elbow, you can probably work it out with your insurance on your own.
But most accidents involving motorcycles aren’t small. You don’t have the same protection as drivers in cars. That means accidents often leave you with:
- Broken bones
- Head or spinal injuries
- Road rash requiring medical care
- Long recovery times away from work
On top of that, insurance companies tend to assume riders are reckless. That bias makes it harder to get a fair outcome. Having a lawyer can change that. At Maison Law, our role is to:
- Investigate the accident to find out exactly what happened.
- Collect and organize evidence—like medical bills, repair estimates, and police reports.
- Handle the insurance companies so they don’t pressure you into a low settlement.
- Take the stress off your plate, so you can focus on your recovery instead of phone calls and paperwork.
Often, what separates a motorcycle accident from others is how hurt you are and how long the recovery process is. That’s when you really need help–and that’s when our team will be there.
How Do I Prove What Really Happened With My Accident?
One of the hardest parts of a motorcycle accident claim is pushing back against assumptions. Too often, people assume riding is “dangerous,” so they automatically blame the motorcyclist. The way to set the record straight is with evidence. Here’s what you need to prove what happened:
- Police reports from Redding PD or CHP.
- Photos or videos of the crash scene, road conditions, and injuries.
- Witness statements from people nearby, whether they were walking downtown or waiting at a light on Cypress.
- Medical records that show not just your injury, but how it impacts your life.
- Expert input, like accident reconstruction, to break down what happened in a way that insurance adjusters can’t easily disagree with.
We know collecting all of this on your own is overwhelming. That’s why we take care of it while you focus on getting better. But the reality is that this is going to be the foundation of your claim–and will go a long way in telling you how the actual claims process is going to play out.
Where Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen Most in Redding?
If you’ve been riding in Redding for a while, you probably already know the “trouble spots.” These are the areas where drivers don’t look, traffic patterns are messy, or speeds are too high for comfort:
- Cypress Avenue and Hilltop Drive – Rush hour here is always chaotic—drivers push yellows, run reds, and cut across traffic. On a motorcycle, that unpredictability is dangerous.
- I-5 Interchanges – Freeway merges happen fast, and drivers are watching for trucks, not bikes. One hesitation or swerve can put a rider in harm’s way.
- Downtown Redding – Stop-and-go traffic and sudden left turns make this area risky for riders, often because drivers claim they “didn’t see the bike.”
- Eureka Way and Buenaventura Boulevard –High speeds and quick turns mean one bad judgment call can spell trouble for riders.
- Victor Avenue – With constant stops, cross streets, and distracted drivers, sideswipes and rear-ends are all too common here.
- Foothill Roads to Whiskeytown and Shasta Lake – Scenic but sharp curves, blind corners, and impatient lake traffic turn rides through the foothills into some of the area’s most dangerous.
Knowing where accidents happen helps explain the “why”—and it’s also critical when building your claim. An accident on Buenaventura Boulevard looks different than one on a rural road outside Palo Cedro, and insurance companies will use those details to their advantage.
What Does the Claims Process Look Like With a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
No two motorcycle accidents are the same–even ones that happen for the same reasons or cause the same injuries. What this means, at least for you, is that your claim is going to be unique. But there’s also a uniform process in place for everyone when it comes to actually filing the claim:
- Insurance claim – This starts with filing against the at-fault person’s insurance policy. Sometimes, claims resolve quickly. More often, though, insurance companies push back, arguing your injuries aren’t as bad as you say or blaming you for the accident.
- Lawsuit – If insurance negotiations stall, the next step may be filing a lawsuit. While it can take longer, it often leads to better results because insurance companies have to take it more seriously.
Through either process, the damages you can recover may involve things like:
- Medical bills now and in the future
- Lost income and reduced ability to work
- Motorcycle repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Funeral costs and wrongful death damages if the accident was fatal
It’s also important to know the deadlines. In California, you usually have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If a government agency like Caltrans is involved, you may only have six months to file a claim. What’s more, though, there’s another reason that acting quickly is important–figuring out who has to pay for your damages.
Who Pays For My Damages in a Motorcycle Accident?
Figuring out who has to pay for your damages at the heart of every motorcycle accident claim. But, even when it seems straightforward, it isn’t always simple. With that said, most claims come down to negligence. In plain English, that means someone:
- Didn’t act with proper care, and their actions caused the accident.
Again, that sounds simple, but it isn’t always in an actual motorcycle accident. So, given the circumstances, the legal responsibility for what happened could fall on:
- Another driver – A lot of times, the driver that collides with you is going to carry most of the responsibility. Maybe they were texting while driving down Hilltop or failed to check their blind spot when merging onto I-5. That amounts to negligence.
- The City of Redding or Caltrans – If poor road conditions, missing signage, or dangerous construction zones contributed, the agency responsible for maintenance may share blame for the accident
- A manufacturer – If a faulty brake, defective tire, or other mechanical failure caused the crash, the company that made or sold the part may be partly at fault.
- A property owner – Unsafe private property, like a neglected parking lot or poorly lit private roadway, could also play a role in the accident, and that makes the owner or manager responsible.
California also uses what’s called comparative negligence. That means even if you share some of the blame—say you were going slightly over the speed limit on Victor Avenue or weren’t wearing a helmet—you can still file a claim. Your recovery might just be reduced. Insurance companies love to lean on this rule, often blaming motorcyclists by default. That’s why building a solid case with evidence is so important, and having our support and guidance can really help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to hire a lawyer?
Not always. If your accident was very minor, you may be able to handle it yourself. But if injuries, lost work, or blame-shifting are involved, having a lawyer often makes the difference between a fair settlement and getting stuck with bills you don’t deserve.
What if a pothole or rough pavement caused my accident?
You may have a claim against the city, county, or Caltrans. These cases are more complicated because of government rules and short deadlines, but they’re possible.
What if the other driver says they didn’t see me?
That’s one of the most common excuses after a motorcycle accident. But “I didn’t see the bike” isn’t a legal defense—it’s proof they weren’t paying enough attention.
Contact Maison Law After a Motorcycle Accident in Redding
For as fun and exciting as a motorcycle ride is in Redding, that all changes when there’s an accident. It usually brings serious injuries, damage, and long-term problems you and your family have to deal with. That’s when our Redding motorcycle accident lawyers at Maison Law can step in and help you through the process. Set up your free consultation today.
