Maison Law proudly stands up for motorcycle accident victims in Turlock. Of the many different types of accidents you could find yourself in, one of the most devastating is a rear-end collision. When a car impacts your motorcycle from behind, it leaves you vulnerable to a rash of different injuries and other damage you’ll have to deal with. Contact us today to discuss your options.
Should You Work With Our Lawyers?
When you get hurt, it can quickly become overwhelming. This is especially true in a motorcycle accident, which can leave you facing life-changing damage. However, there’s a wide variety of outcomes in any accident. It’s possible your accident is only minor, at which point you probably don’t need to worry about taking legal action.
That said, a typical motorcycle accident–even a rear-end accident–is going to cause you to face injuries. There’s no legal requirement in California that says you need a lawyer, but the more hurt you are, the more help you’ll likely need. It’s here that our team can step in and assist you. Here’s how we approach these cases:
- We create a timeline of events and determine responsibility
- We help you in gathering necessary documentation and evidence
- We allow you to prioritize your health and well-being while we manage the legal process
What you need, at least initially, is for things to be made easier. We strive to do that for all of our clients, and can do the same for you. We’ll guide you through the process and explain your options.
What Are Your Options After a Motorcycle Accident?
When you’re involved in a rear-end motorcycle accident, the pain can be similar to other types of rear-end collisions, but the impact is often more severe. This is because motorcycles offer less protection, leaving you vulnerable when struck from behind by a larger, moving vehicle.
Legally speaking, your options for filing an injury claim is the same as any other accident. This means you can either file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
The first step is determining liability, which boils down to figuring out who is legally responsible for covering your injuries or damages. In most rear-end accidents, this responsibility falls on the driver of the vehicle that rear-ended you. However, there are other parties who may be involved depending on the specific circumstances:
- Another driver
- A passenger or pedestrian
- The government agency responsible for road maintenance or traffic signals
- Manufacturers of brakes or other car parts if a malfunction contributed to the accident
Ultimately, liability hinges on who acted negligently and caused the accident and resulting injuries. Even as the victim, you can share some level of fault, and that can reduce what damages you’re able to recover. That’s thanks to California’s “comparative negligence” rule. Thus, that makes it important to take the following steps to bolster your claim:
- Get to safety and call 911
- Report the accident to police and swap insurance and contact information with anyone else involved
- Get medical attention on the scene and try to gather evidence
- Get further medical care, and follow up with any treatment
What Are My Damages?
Even though a rear-end motorcycle accident is common in Turlock, one of the things that differentiates your claim from others is what your damages are. Damages is the legal term for your injuries and other losses. Even with safety precautions and vigilance, being struck from behind while on your motorcycle could leave you with injuries like:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Fractured bones
- Torn ligaments
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal trauma
Under California law, you have the right to seek your damages by filing an injury claim. While your damages are going to depend on the extent of your injuries and how negligent the other party was, you can recover things like:
- Medical expenses, covering surgeries, emergency care, treatment, and ongoing medical needs.
- Property damage, addressing repair or replacement costs for your motorcycle or other damaged personal property.
- Lost wages, which covers any income lost due to inability to work or missed work because of injuries.
- Loss of enjoyment of life, addressing the impact of the accident on your ability to enjoy life as before, including any strain on personal relationships.
- Pain and suffering, covering the physical discomfort and distress caused by the accident.
- Emotional distress, addressing the emotional and psychological toll resulting from the accident.
The amount of damages you receive varies depending on the evidence and how well it shows the accident’s impact. It’s important to file your claim within California’s two-year statute of limitations. Missing this deadline means that you won’t be able to file a claim or recover damages.
What Can Cause a Rear-End Motorcycle Accident?
A rear-end motorcycle accident is always unfortunate, even when it’s seemingly unavoidable. This can happen in more crowded areas of Turlock, although they can happen anywhere. In looking at the various causes of these accidents, it can allow you to be better prepared should one happen to you:
- Speeding – When a driver is speeding, they usually don’t have enough time to stop when a motorcyclist suddenly appears in front of them.
- Following too closely – When a driver tailgates a motorcyclist, they may not have sufficient time to stop if the motorcyclist suddenly slows down or stops.
- Distracted driving – When a driver is using their phone, eating, or otherwise distracted, they may fail to notice a motorcyclist in front of them until it’s too late to stop.
- Impaired driving – If a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their reaction time may be slowed, making it challenging to avoid a rear-end collision.
- Poor visibility – Depending on where you’re riding, visibility can change. This can make you less visible to other drivers, increasing the chances of accidents. This can also happen in bad weather.
These scenarios highlight the risks associated with rear-end motorcycle accidents in Turlock. Because they’re so damaging, you and other motorcycle riders need to do everything you can to avoid (or at least reduce the likelihood of) these accidents. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Wearing proper safety gear, especially helmets
- Increasing visibility by wearing bright or reflective clothing
- Always following traffic and road laws
- Not speeding or lane splitting
- Staying alert
Again, experiencing a rear-end motorcycle accident can be overwhelming, especially when facing the physical, emotional, psychological, and financial challenges of recovery. Regardless of your particular challenges, our team will be there to support you.
Turn to Maison Law After a Turlock Rear-End Motorcycle Accident
At Maison Law, we’re here to support you after a rear-end motorcycle accident in Turlock. We’ll work to ensure a fair outcome and protect your rights. Plus, we’ll provide ongoing support so you can focus on healing. Contact us for a free consultation to get started.
