Maison Law of San Luis Obispo represents motorcycle accident victims hurt by the actions of careless drivers. Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers hold reckless drivers liable for the damage and injuries they cause. Contact Maison Law to talk with a real lawyer about your options in a free, no-obligation consultation. You’ll learn what your injury is worth and how to secure the compensation you need to recover.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident?
If your motorcycle accident only results in some minor scrapes and soreness or only property damage, you may not need a lawyer’s help. But when motorcycle accidents result in more serious injuries, like a broken arm or a severe concussion, the protection of a skilled San Luis Obispo motorcycle accident lawyer becomes much more important.
Sadly, when recovery costs will be high, car insurance companies make it even harder for victims to get the support they need. Insurance adjusters are instructed to try to blame the motorcyclist for what happened or to claim that a rider’s injury was pre-existing.
Your Maison Law attorney fully investigates your accident and then uses the evidence to put an end to their unfair tactics. We demand the maximum in support so you can heal and get back on your motorcycle as soon as possible.
How Many Motorcycle Accidents Occur in San Luis Obispo Each Year?
California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) reports that in 2023 there were 70 motorcycle accidents involving injury in San Luis Obispo County. Those accidents were the cause of 3 tragic deaths. At least 22 of those accidents occurred along Highway 101 through the county.
San Luis Obispo is a crossroads where riders can head up or down the coast or into the mountains. There are beautiful rides to be had in every direction, but unfortunately, riders must still be wary of the mistakes that drivers make.
These are just a few of the reckless decisions that motorists make when riders are nearby:
- Dangerous Lane Changes – Drivers in bigger, heavier vehicles sometimes don’t bother to check their mirrors and blind spots and veer over onto a motorcyclist beside them. It’s also a common risk as traffic merges to get on or off of Highway 101. All riders know to try to avoid the blind spots of drivers, but when drivers get reckless, accidents might be impossible to avoid.
- Dangerous Turns — Drivers preparing for a left-hand turn or a U-Turn can get anxious and don’t always take the time needed to spot the smaller profile of an oncoming rider. They monitor oncoming traffic, think the coast is clear, and begin their turn. The driver becomes a wide, slow-turning obstacle for motorcyclists in the opposite lane. Riders have little time or space to slow down and steer clear.
- Lane Splitting – This occurs when a motorcyclist travels between two lanes of slow-moving traffic. It also occurs when traffic jams on highways grind traffic to a stop. Many drivers are unaware that motorcyclists have this legal right to split lanes in California. They might open their doors in a traffic jam or leave little room on one side of the lane, not checking to see if a motorcyclist is moving alongside them.
- Rear-end Collisions – Another problem with drivers unwilling to take the time to identify when riders are nearby. They can come upon stopped traffic but not hit the brakes in time to avoid crashing into the back of a motorcycle. Stop-and-go traffic also makes motorcycle rear-end accidents more likely.
- Road rage and Aggressive Driving – Drivers can lose their heads over the perfectly legal maneuvers of motorcyclists and try to run down a rider. They can also exceed speed limits leaving less time to show caution to those on motorcycles. They might be switching lanes within inches of cars and motorcycles. What is only a fender bender for a car or SUV might lead to a traumatic injury for a rider.
After these sorts of scary incidents and others, motorcycle collision victims may suffer bone fractures, head injuries, and even permanent disabilities. Victims must talk over their cases with a skilled Maison Law legal representative. Victims may be robbed of thousands of dollars in additional settlement benefits they need when they are kept in the dark about what their accident claims should be worth.
How Much Compensation Will I Earn for a Motorcycle Accident Injury?
It will be hard to secure an accurate estimate on the amount you’ll see on a settlement check until an experienced lawyer has examined your case.
Every collision is different. Every victim will heal at their own pace. The length of recovery will affect the length of stay at expensive hospitals. That will mean you’ll need to ask for more in an injury settlement.
The policy limits of the at-fault driver will also affect what you can expect to receive. However, your Maison Law motorcycle accident lawyer will determine every possible source of compensation for your injury recovery. That may involve filing claims against other multiple drivers’ insurance providers and perhaps your own policy.
This is a list of some of the other factors that will be totaled up and estimated when you decide how much you should be asking from a car insurance company:
- All costs for medical care, medical equipment, and physical therapy.
- Future medical costs associated with a permanent physical disability or long-term injury.
- Compensation for the physical pain endured. This should include support for chronic pain and the development of arthritis for motorcycle accident victims.
- Compensation for the emotional trauma riders have suffered. This can include the anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms experienced in the crash and in recovery.
- Earnings and benefits victims have lost while missing work. The loss of the ability to support your family if you are out of work for months or years.
- Money for a new motorcycle and equipment.
- Money for transportation back and forth from doctor and surgeon visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Injury Claim in San Luis Obispo?
Two years. California sets the statute of limitations on a personal injury case at 24 months. If you wait beyond two years, you usually won’t be allowed to seek compensation for your hardships.
Can I ask for injury support if I wasn’t wearing a helmet in a motorcycle accident?
Yes. You may not have been wearing a helmet, but that doesn’t get an at-fault driver off the hook for all liability. You can still ask for help with your recovery costs.
What if I can’t afford to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
You don’t need any upfront money to hire Maison Law’s attorneys. We don’t get any fee unless we win your case for you. Then our payment comes out of the settlement money a car insurance company must pay you.
Contact a San Luis Obispo Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident in and around San Luis Obispo, discuss your case with Maison Law first. Insurance companies will try to offer you the lowest settlement possible. They are more interested in their bottom line than your full recovery.
If you allow Maison Law’s skilled San Luis Obispo Motorcycle Accident Lawyers to represent your case, you can rest assured that our legal team will fight for your best interest. Let us tackle frustrating communication with insurance adjusters, allowing you to focus on healing and returning to your motorcycle rides.
We will build a strong case for you to obtain the maximum settlement or award for your injuries. Contact us right away for a free, no-obligation case consultation.
Additional Resources:
Help for Families After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident
Help for Victims Who Weren’t Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet When Struck
