Maison Law represents those hurt in Turlock motorcycle accidents. There’s a number of different types of motorcycle accidents, but one of the most serious is a head-on collision. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can help. We can look at your situation, tell you what choices you have, and stand by you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation if you’ve been hurt in a head-on motorcycle accident.
Do You Need Our Lawyers?
Whether or not you even need a lawyer depends on the circumstances of your accident. While it’s true that most motorcycle accidents–and an even higher percentage of head-on collisions–are more serious in nature, If the accident is minor, you might not need our legal team’s help. But in most head-on collisions, the damage and injuries are serious and long-lasting. That means having more support can make a big difference.
Here’s a few ways we can help:
- Guiding you through the legal process, whether it involves filing an insurance claim, seeking a settlement, or going to court.
- Helping you collect and present evidence to make a strong case for damages.
- Negotiating on your behalf with the other party and fighting for your rights.
- Making the process easier for you and your family, so you can focus on recovering physically.
Remember, the choice to work with our lawyers is entirely yours. But keep in mind, we offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis. That means you don’t pay anything upfront to work with us.
Who is Responsible For a Head-on Motorcycle Collision?
Aside from injuries, one of the most important things you’ll need to figure out is who is actually responsible for your accident. In legal terms, this is known as “liability,” and it mandates who has to actually pay for your injuries and damages.
Like any accident, liability in these situations are decided by “negligence.” Negligence, at least in legal terms, has the following elements:
- Someone had a duty to keep you safe and not harm you.
- They didn’t fulfill this duty.
- Their failure caused the accident.
- The accident caused your injuries and other issues.
Once this is sorted, figuring out who’s at fault becomes clearer. In most motorcycle accidents, blame could be shared among:
- Drivers of vehicles
- Passengers or pedestrians
- Other motorcycle or bicycle riders
- Government agencies
- Companies that made vehicle parts
- Construction companies
You might also bear some responsibility if you were speeding or doing risky things like lane splitting. In California, this is known as comparative negligence, and it means your damages will be reduced by the same percentage of fault you share. With that in mind, it becomes very important to do what you can to strengthen your case.
Strengthening a Motorcycle Accident Claim
No one plans to have a motorcycle accident in Turlock, but they happen more than we’d like. Riding a motorcycle is exciting but risky, especially with comparative negligence laws. Worse, when you’re in a head-on collision, it’s likely that you’ll be facing serious injuries. All this adds up to making your claim for damages very important. So, it’s vital to strengthen your claim. Here’s what to do:
- Get to safety and report the accident – Move your motorcycle aside and call the police to the scene.
- Gather evidence – Take photos, get witness statements, and keep any relevant documents.
- Seek medical care – Get immediate help for your injuries to link them to the accident.
- Follow traffic laws – Always obey speed limits and signals while riding.
- Keep records – Save medical records, bills, and repair estimates related to the accident.
- Handle insurance cautiously – Be careful when talking to insurers. Consider talking with our lawyers first to make sure you know what to say.
- Cooperate with investigations – Provide accurate information to both police and insurers.
Remember, the details of your case and the evidence available are crucial. They determine fault and impact your claim’s outcome, especially concerning your damages.
Damages in a Head-on Motorcycle Accident Claim
Facing any motorcycle accident is going to leave you with at least minor injuries and other damage. But a head-on collision is different. When a motorcycle crashes head-on, it’s usually very serious. Here’s why:
- Another vehicle veers into your lane fast, heading straight for you.
- You have little time to react.
- The impact hits you where you’re most vulnerable, like your head and neck.
- Injuries in these areas can be severe.
But it’s not just your physical injuries that determine your claim’s damages, it also has to do with all of your losses, from missed work to impacts on your personal relationships. So, whether you decide to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, here’s what you can potentially recover:
- Medical expenses – This covers all costs for treatment, like hospital bills, doctor visits, medicine, therapies, and medical equipment you need.
- Ongoing medical care – These expenses cover treatments, rehab, follow-up appointments, and other medical costs for your recovery.
- Vehicle repair/replacement – This helps pay for fixing your damaged motorcycle or getting a new one if it’s beyond repair.
- Lost wages – This is money you lost from not being able to work during your recovery, including your regular pay, bonuses, commissions, and benefits.
- Pain and suffering – This is money for the physical and mental pain caused by the accident.
- Permanent disability/disfigurement – This helps if you have lasting injuries that change how you can live or look.
- Emotional distress – This is for the emotional pain like anxiety or depression after the accident.
- Wrongful death expenses – This includes costs like funeral and burial, medical bills, and lost financial support if someone died in the accident.
Even with these damages available, there’s a few points to consider. First, what you’re ultimately able to recover is going to depend on how well you present your case. This is where our team can help, using our experience and guidance to put together the strongest possible claim for these damages. Just as important is filing within California’s statute of limitations. This is a two-year deadline by which you have to file your claim. Miss this deadline, and you won’t be able to file a claim or recover damages, no matter how strong your case is.
Experienced Turlock Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Facing a severe head-on motorcycle collision in Turlock is challenging. Having our team with you can help a lot. We care about your case and will work hard to get you the financial support you need. At Maison Law, our experienced Turlock motorcycle accident lawyers know how any accident, especially head-on collisions, can affect you. You don’t have to handle this alone–contact us today for a free consultation.
