Ridgecrest motorcyclists are constantly at risk by the poor judgment of local drivers. Drivers can pay very little attention to the road and easily miss the presence of a rider nearby. They can veer over on a motorcyclist or make a turn right in front of a defenseless rider to cause a devastating collision. Victims can suffer traumatic injuries and face weeks or months off their motorcycles.
The Ridgecrest motorcycle accident lawyers at Maison Law help victims of careless drivers get the support they need in recovery. Contact us to set up a free consultation about your case. We want to make sure you get the best care available and that you have full support to pay for that care.
Ridgecrest Motorcycle Accident Hazards
Ridgecrest motorcyclists can be on the way to work on Norma Avenue or leaving on a long ride along the mountains up Highway 395. They want to enjoy their trips, but they must constantly watch the drivers around them who can make lane changes without checking a single mirror or blind spot.
Drivers can be looking at a phone and miss motorcyclists stopping ahead and then ram a motorcycle from behind to cause a major accident. Drivers attempting to make a left on China Lake Boulevard can wait on cars to pass and start a turn and completely miss an oncoming motorcyclist. Suddenly riders have the length of an SUV in front of them with little room to steer clear of an impact.
These and other frightening situations happen every day across Kern County. It’s when our Ridgecrest Motorcycle Accident Lawyers take action to make sure injured motorcyclists receive the financial help they need to pay hospital bills. We want injured riders to be able to return to their motorcycles again as soon as possible without worrying about medical debt.
The Protection of a Ridgecrest Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Drivers pay car insurance premiums to provide support to the motorists they injure, but insurers are very concerned with saving their company’s money. They do their best to wiggle out of taking financial responsibility for motorcycle accidents. In some cases, insurance adjusters are directed to point the finger of blame at the motorcyclist, no matter that the evidence points fully to the driver involved.
Your Ridgecrest motorcycle accident lawyer is your safeguard against this unfair treatment. Your lawyer immediately begins investigating what happened to you and looks into the careless driver’s driving record. Your lawyer secures an accident report from the Ridgecrest Police Department or the California Highway Patrol.
Your lawyer also requests any security footage from any local businesses or homes that may have had cameras rolling when your Ridgecrest motorcycle accident occurred. Witness testimony would also be collected.
Your lawyer goes over every piece of communication from a car insurance company with you. You would be encouraged to reject any “lowball” settlement offer that didn’t cover every bill and hardship you and your family had been through. Your lawyer would demand more on your behalf.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Winning the maximum in motorcycle accident compensation available is critical to the recovery of a victim. Injured motorcyclists could have enormous doctor bills arriving as their paychecks stop coming in while they are kept out of work. Victims might get behind on normal monthly bills like rent or a mortgage or car or motorcycle payments, and credit card bills.
Victims can also suffer long-term injuries and require home care and medical equipment over months or years. Every cost must factor into a motorcycle accident insurance settlement check.
These are some of the most common motorcycle collision injuries treated in local hospitals that leave victims in desperate need of financial help:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – Traumatic Brain Injuries occur when the brain quickly jerks back and forth inside the skull. This violent motion causes bruising and tearing in brain tissue. TBIs can result in memory loss, seizures, concussions, and other serious symptoms. Motorcyclists can suffer TBI even with a helmet on.
- Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries can result in full paralysis or loss of sensation in the affected area. Serious motorcycle accident injuries can result in a permanent physical disability.
- Fractures – Motorcycle accidents can cause fractures to the bones in the body, including the arms, legs, and pelvis. The bones that form the chest, like the collarbone, breastbone, and ribs are also vulnerable.
- Road rash – Victims suffer road rash when the skin comes in contact with the road surface. Road rash can range from mild scrapes and bruises to severe abrasions that require skin grafting.
- Soft tissue injuries – Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains and strains, can occur as a result of the sudden impact of a motorcycle accident. Longer-lasting conditions like tendinitis and bursitis develop in some victims.
- Internal injuries – Motorcycle accidents can cause damage to internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Nerve damage that results in radiating pain and sometimes a burning sensation or numbness is also common.
What Kinds of Things Contribute to the Motorcycle Accident Settlement I Receive?
Along with evidence, your Ridgecrest motorcycle accident attorney will be making a list of every hardship you have faced in the accident aftermath. Each damage is backed with evidence and submitted in your claim to the car insurance company.
This is an important task because anything left off won’t earn compensation and ends up as a bill you and your family would be responsible for.
Your Maison Law lawyer would demand financial support for these and other hardships:
- Totals on all medical costs now and those bills expected in the future.
- Estimates all life-long costs associated with a permanent physical disability.
- Support for dealing with pain during recovery.
- Support for emotional trauma. A loss of enjoyment of life may be experienced in recovery and while victims must give up motorcycle rides. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms are common.
- Past and future lost wages and benefits while victims are forced to miss work hours. Money to support your family if you can never return to your job again.
- Money for a new motorcycle or repairs to the previous motorcycle.
- Wrongful death benefits. Families can earn support after losing a loved one in a tragic Ridgecrest motorcycle accident. The support can cover the cost of a burial and any remaining ambulance and hospital bills. The guidance and income the deceased can no longer provide for a spouse and children in the future would also be factored in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an injury claim after a Ridgecrest motorcycle accident?
The statute of limitations on your motorcycle crash injury is two years. You should take action as soon as possible though. Give your lawyer a chance to secure evidence before it disappears.
Can I get compensation if I’m struck by an uninsured driver in Ridgecrest?
Yes. You’ll be filing an accident claim against your own motorcycle accident insurance provider. You’d use your uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage isn’t mandatory to have in California, but most insurers include it unless you reject it in writing.
Can I get injury compensation if I’m struck by a hit-and-run driver who is never identified?
Yes. You would file a claim on your uninsured motorist coverage. You could receive money to help pay all of your medical bills even if a hit-and-run suspect is never found.
Contact a Ridgecrest Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Contact Maison Law to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an actual Ridgecrest motorcycle accident lawyer. We want to hear what happened to you. We’re going to answer your questions and make sure you are prepared for the insurance tactics you’ll face so you don’t forfeit valuable support. You’ll know what your injury is worth before an insurance adjuster tries to convince you it’s worth nothing at all.
Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, has a long background in earning motorcyclists the support they need to recover and return to their motorcycles again. There’s no obligation when you talk to Mr. Gasparian, but if you feel he can help you get the most out of your injury claim, you’ll need no upfront money. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement you receive.
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