Driving a motorcycle is becoming an increasingly popular way to get around. Since it uses less fuel than standard cars, it’s a more environmentally friendly option, and riders enjoy cruising the streets of Northern California and seeing the sights. The downside to riding a motorcycle, however, is significant. Negligent drivers often fail to pay attention to their surroundings and watch for motorcyclists, and the result can be tragic: A 500-pound bike is no match for a 3,000-pound passenger vehicle. At Tiemann Law Firm, our experienced Northern California personal injury attorneys know how to fight for motorcyclists injured by negligent drivers.
Motorcycle cases can be challenging. In addition to suffering serious injuries in an accident with a much larger vehicle, motorcyclists often face the stigma, in legal cases, of being “reckless” or “irresponsible” on the road. The fact is that motorcycle riders are aware of the dangers they face and tend to be abundantly cautious drivers. We’ll thoroughly investigate your accident, build a solid case on your behalf, and protect you from at-fault parties who leverage unfair stereotypes to try to point the finger of blame at you.
At Tiemann Law Firm, we have a strong track record of securing successful results for injury victims. Our highly skilled Northern California motorcycle accident attorneys can be trusted to secure maximum compensation to cover your medical costs, lost wages, mental anguish, and more.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact the team at Tiemann Law Firm for legal help today. Call (916) 999-9000 to schedule your free initial consultation.
Why Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Law Firm?
While we would like to believe that insurance adjusters, other motorists, and the courts will focus only on the facts of the case, that isn’t always the case. Many insurance adjusters will offer motorcyclists a lowball settlement simply because they falsely view motorcyclists as daredevils or rule-breakers. This is just one of the reasons that it’s important for riders hurt in a serious accident to get an experienced Northern California motorcycle accident attorney on their side. At Tiemann Law Firm, we know how to challenge the false assumptions that may affect your settlement effectively.
If a negligent driver caused your accident, we’ll work hard to gather irrefutable evidence, build a solid case, present the facts, and get you the maximum compensation you deserve. We’ve worked hard to develop our reputation for providing effective, aggressive representation. We’ll leverage our skillset and resources to protect your rights. Don’t let an insurance company or a negligent driver try to short-change you the money you are entitled to. Contact a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer who will fight to protect you.
Determining liability in a motorcycle accident is crucial, as a motorcycle accident claim often hinges on the negligence of involved parties.
What Are the Damages Available For Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
If you were injured by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. In California, the law allows you to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Other states have capped, or put a limit on, the amount that a victim can receive for non-economic damages. California has not followed this trend, meaning there is no limit to what a court could award you. Calculating your total damages, however, can be complicated, especially when dealing with motorcycle accident claims due to the legal complexities and challenges faced by victims seeking compensation. Hiring specialized motorcycle accident lawyers who possess expertise in negotiating with insurance companies and handling legal proceedings can significantly enhance your chances of securing a fair settlement.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are fairly straightforward to tabulate. They include calculable losses, such as:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical expenses related to the accident
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more complex. These damages are related to trauma or mental anguish, things that are not easy to tabulate and don’t have an exact dollar figure attached to them on a bill or piece of paper.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Disfigurement
- Disability
It is crucial to seek legal representation for a personal injury claim following a motorcycle accident. Personal injury lawyers specialize in managing claims related to motorcycle accidents, ensuring victims receive appropriate compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
There is also an important factor that the state of California will take into account when you are pursuing damages following an accident. Any individual who does not have current and active car insurance at the time of the accident will not be permitted to claim or collect non-economic damages. This rule applies no matter who is at fault for the accident. If you do not have valid car insurance, the most you can claim is compensation for medical expenses, property damage, or other economic losses.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
It is always incumbent upon all drivers to pay attention to their surroundings and check their blind spots while driving. Drivers of passenger cars often claim the accident wasn’t their fault, as they couldn’t see the motorcyclist. However, entering an intersection, making a turn, or changing lanes without checking blind spots is negligent behavior, and it can have severe consequences for the motorcyclist caught in the driver’s path. Motorcycle accident cases highlight the complexities and legal nuances involved when motorcyclists are injured due to such negligence. These cases often require specialized attorneys who understand the unique challenges, such as in-depth investigations and navigating insurance claims, to achieve fair compensation for victims.
Some of the common causes of motorcycle crashes include:
- Failure to check blind spots
- Distracted driving
- Left-turn crashes
- Impaired driving
- Lane changes
- Speeding
- Car doors
- Construction hazards
- Head-on collisions
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Lane splitting
Common Injuries Suffered in Motorcycle Accidents
Data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that, in 2023, motorcycle fatalities occurred nearly 24 times more frequently than passenger car fatalities. Numbers from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association show that California recorded 566 motorcyclists killed in accidents in 2016, the highest fatality rate of any state for that year.
Victims who survive a serious motorcycle accident are often left with devastating injuries and physical scars that may never fade away. These motorcycle crash injuries can cause severe physical and mental trauma, significantly impacting a victim’s ability to work, earn a living, or generally just enjoy life in the ways they once did. Some of the more common injuries that can occur in a motorcycle crash include:
Many motorcycle accident victims endure traumatic brain injuries due to the nature of motorcycle collisions. These severe consequences highlight the importance of legal representation in handling the complexities of claims resulting from such injuries.
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Spinal injuries or paralysis
- Neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Fractured bones
- Road rash
- Wrongful death
Medical treatment, surgeries, and hospital stays related to these types of injuries can reach tens, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars. That’s not even counting rehabilitation, physical therapy, and prescription costs. One accident could mean years of painful physical recovery and even more years of painful financial recovery. A motorcycle accident attorney in Northern California from Tiemann Law Firm wants to look out for your best interests by determining the cost of all your damages. We can also seek fair compensation for what you are going through.
California Motorcycle Laws
Several laws in the state of California seek to make the roads safe for all riders. California does require that individuals obtain a valid Class M1 motorcycle license to legally operate any two-wheel, motor-driven cycle or scooter. This license is different from your standard driver’s license and does require individuals to pass a driver knowledge test, motorcycle knowledge test, and a skills test. If a rider is under the age of 21, then the state also requires the individual to complete a training course before they can receive a motorcycle instruction permit.
State law also requires that all motorcycle drivers and passengers always wear a helmet. The helmet must comply with all safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation. In addition to the helmet rule, there is also a law that stipulates that passenger seats must be securely fastened behind the driver’s seat. Passengers must also have footrests in place while the vehicle is in motion.
Special California Motorcycle Laws
One of the most unique California laws that govern motorcycle riders was passed in 2016. AB 51 made California the only state in the nation to make lane splitting legal. Lane splitting is when a motorcycle travels between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane. This can include divided and undivided streets, roads, and highways.
The practice can be dangerous, especially in situations where traffic flow has come to a stop, then quickly resumes. A motorcyclist who is lane splitting can be hit by a driver who is not paying attention and makes an unsafe or sudden lane change. Accidents can also happen when a rider is lane splitting, and a driver suddenly opens their door, either hitting the rider or creating an obstacle that the rider cannot avoid. The California Highway Patrol has issued safety advice for riders who legally lane split, such as to avoid lane splitting next to large vehicles and to avoid blind spots.
Hiring an experienced Northern California motorcycle accident attorney who specialize in personal injury claims following motorcycle accidents is important. These attorneys manage the claims process, navigate legal complexities, and work on a contingency fee basis to ensure clients receive fair compensation without upfront costs. Northern California motorcycle accident attorneys are experienced legal professionals with a proven track record in handling motorcycle accident claims. They have the ability to secure substantial settlements for clients and take a comprehensive approach to analyzing potential injury claims, addressing various legal issues that may arise in the process.
Hire an Experienced Northern California Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Northern California’s roads can be dangerous, especially for motorcycle riders. At Tiemann Law Firm, we are adamant about protecting the rights of motorcyclists and making sure they get the fair and reasonable compensation they are entitled to, free from prejudice. Our legal team has the experience and resources needed to investigate motorcycle accidents, determine who was at fault, and seek maximum compensation for injuries suffered as a result. Northern California motorcycle accident lawyers emphasize the unique risks motorcyclists face compared to other drivers and have specialized expertise in handling motorcycle accident cases. Whether you are dealing with an insurance company or want to take a negligent driver to court, we want to represent you and protect your rights.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious motorcycle accident, reach out to the team at Tiemann Law Firm for help. We offer a free initial consultation to help get you started. If we take on your case, you won’t owe us anything until you receive your compensation. This gives you the ability to focus on what really matters, getting back on your feet again. Hiring an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Northern California who specializes in handling cases involving injuries and fatalities from motorcycle accidents is crucial. Call (916) 999-9000 to schedule your free consultation today.
