Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Sacramento

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 motorcycle attorney on their side. At Tiemann Law Firm, we know how to effectively challenge the false assumptions that may affect your settlement. 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 attorney who will fight to protect you.

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.

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 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

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 Cause 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 will often claim the accident wasn’t their fault, as they couldn’t viably 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.

Some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

Common Injuries Suffered in Motorcycle Accidents

Data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that, in 2016, motorcycle fatalities occurred nearly 28 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 that survive a serious motorcycle accident are often left with devastating injuries and physical scars that may never fade away. These injuries can take a significant toll on 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:

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 the rehabilitation costs, physical therapy, and prescription costs. One accident could mean years of painful physical recovery, and even more years of painful financial recovery. Tiemann Law Firm wants to look out for your best interests by determining the cost of all your damages and seeking compensation that is fair for what you are going through.

California Motorcycle Laws

Several laws in the state of California seeks 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.

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.

Hire an Experienced Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Sacramento 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. 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. Call (916) 999-9000 to schedule your free consultation today.