Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Fresno
A motorcycle rider has some incredible options for a beautiful and scenic ride no matter which A motorcycle rider in Fresno always has incredible options for a beautiful and scenic ride no matter where they go. Plus, California’s decision to legalize lane splitting in 2017 has created an even more appealing option for motorcycle riders who want to cut through the gridlock.
Motorcycles are economical, easy to park, and fun to ride — all great reasons why people choose this method of transportation. However, a rider is always at risk of being hurt in a motorcycle accident, no matter how experienced or responsible they are. The behavior of drivers of passenger vehicles is often the biggest risk to a rider. Unfortunately, motorcycle accident victims face a much higher risk of catastrophic injuries when compared to people in enclosed vehicles.
Riders know and accept the risks that come with riding a motorcycle, but it is important for them to know that there is legal help out there if they get hurt in an accident that was not their fault. Working with Fresno motorcycle accident lawyers is one of the best ways for victims to improve their chances of getting the money they deserve, not just the money the insurance company would like to pay. The team at Grossman Law Offices is here to provide you with the support you need to get fair compensation for this difficult experience.
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH A FRESNO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TODAY
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident that someone else has caused in or around Fresno, contact our law firm and schedule a free consultation. It may be impossible to navigate a complicated personaly injury case by yourself while focusing on recovering from your injuries. You do not have to fight on your own. Contact a Fresno motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
During your consultation, an injury attorney will be able to go through the specifics of your situation and provide you with examples of past motorcycle accident cases we have successfully represented, so you know that you are not alone. Our injury lawyers will be able to provide you with legal advice about what next steps to take and help you understand the benefits of working with our team of Fresno motorcycle accident attorneys.
Contact us as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation, and to understand the process of a personal injury case.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
Motorcycle accident cases may be very confusing and overwhelming if you are not familiar with personal injury law. If you have recently suffered from serious injuries, they may have physical and emotional implications. Insurance companies are aware of all these, and will work aggressivelly to settle a personal injury claim as quickly as possible, for as little as possible.
While a victim continues to struggle with the impact of lost wages, their medical bills will keep climbing, and the thought of their financial future can be terrifying. This is when an insurance company makes their first settlement offer hoping that the victim will accept the one-time payment. An insurance adjuster can only hope to close the case before the victim realizes they are entitled to much more.
Moreover, insurance companies will try to make the administrative aspects of a claim as simple as possible. By doing so, they will attempt on keeping the victims from thinking they might need professional support. However, it is imperative to start working with an attorney from day one to build the strongest case possible.
When you are working with a personal injury attorney, they will be able to take on the entire claims process while you focus on your recovery. As the impacts of your accident continue to reveal themselves, your lawyer will help you stay confident and focused on recovery. Meanwhile, you can rest assured that there is an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer fighting to recover all of the compensation you are rightfully owed.
HOW DANGEROUS ARE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS?
According to the United States Department of Transportation, a total of 111,000 motorcycles were reported to have been involved in motorcycle accidents throughout the country in 2019. Moreover, 561 motorcycles involved in crashes and 25.47 fatalities per 100 million vehicle-miles.
When compared to car accidents, the difference is staggering: 477 passenger vehicles involved in crashes with a rate of .89 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles driven — meaning that a motorcycle rider is nearly 29x more likely to die in a crash than someone involved in a car accident.
Source: https://www.bts.gov/content/motorcycle-rider-safety-data
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, in California, motorcycle fatalities decreased 15.57% from 578 in 2017 to 488 in 2018. While the reports may seem encouraging, the truth is that motorcycle accidents are extremely dangerous and pose a significant risk of death. Helmets play a significant role in decreasing the likelihood of a fatal crash, but a rider is still at risk of many other serious injuries.
COMMON CAUSES OF CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
The following are just a few examples of the many different ways that a motorcycle accident can happen. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcyle accident, contact us as soon as possible to speak directly with a Fresno motorcycle accident attorney and to get a better idea of your legal options for seeking fair compensation.
SPEEDING
When a driver — whether on a motorcycle or another vehicle — ignores the speed limit, they increase the risk of an accident AND the risk of serious injuries due to a more severe impact. Speeding requires a faster reaction time to avoid obstacles or unexpected hazards, increases the distance required to come to a complete stop, and puts everyone else on the road at risk. Speed is a very common factor in many personal injury cases, including those involving motorcyclists.
INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS
Inexperienced drivers must actively process a lot of information on the road that experienced drivers think of as second nature. As such, they may miss a motorcycle in their side mirrors, forget to signal a turn, or accidentally make an unexpected maneuver in the line of travel of someone else. New drivers pay higher insurance premiums because of this increased risk, but their higher costs do not translate to a higher payment for a victim.
FAILURE TO SIGNAL TURNS OR LANE CHANGES
Turn signals are essential in avoiding accidents, and sudden lane changes or unexpected turns can be deadly to a motorcyclist. This failure can happen while moving in the same direction, opposite directions, or while passing through multi-way intersections where clear communication of intent is essential to avoiding an accident and injuries.
The California DMV suggests thinking of the road as 3 separate lanes, and to adjust your positioning according to traffic conditions around you.
DRUNK DRIVING
When a driver decides to get behind the wheel after consuming more than the legal limit of alcohol (0.08 BAC for adults) or any other mind-altering substances, they put everyone else on the road at risk. Due to their decreased reaction abilities, skewed risk tolerance, reduced perception, and more, they can easily get involved in motorcycle accidnets.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 42% of all drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes who were tested, tested positive for legal and/ or illegal drugs in 2018.
BLIND SPOT ACCIDENTS
A motorcycle is a much smaller vehicle than even a small passenger car, meaning that there is a significantly higher risk of another driver failing to notice motorcyclists before committing to a lane change or turn. This is a major issue that motorcyclists must be on high alert for in order to operate their vehicle defensively and hope to anticipate a dangerous move from another driver.
Whatever the implications of your motorcycle accident, seek legal help from one of our motorcycle accident lawyers Fresno.
Be aware of any blind spots you may be riding in while moving in the same direction as other vehicles.
SEEKING COMPENSATION AFTER A FRESNO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
Lawyers understand the tactics that insurance companies use to reach low settlement agreements after a Fresno motorcycle crash, which is why it is imperative to partner with an Fresno motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible.
Personal injury law (which encapsulates a motorcycle accident claim) is a complicated area of law that experienced motorcycle accident injury attorneys can navigate while their clients focus on getting care for their motorcycle accident injuries.
A motorcycle accident commonly results in more serious injuries for the motorcycle rider than the others involved due to the lack of structural protection on such a small vehicle. Your Fresno motorcycle accident lawyer will initiate your personal injury claims with the liable party’s insurance company. At the same time, they will build a strong case and calculate the damages their motorcycle accident clients have suffered.
CALCULATING COMPENSATORY DAMAGES IN FRESNO, CA
Fresno personal injury lawyers focus on recovering what are known as “compensatory” damages for their clients, meaning that these damages are meant to compensate a victim for measurable losses and injuries following an accident. These are divided into two parts: economic damages and non-economic damages. Regardless of your motorcycle accident case, we are here to help!
Separately, if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident due to a negligent driver, you may have sustained injuries such as:
- Head trauma
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries, or
- Other visible injuries
ECONOMIC DAMAGES
Economic damages are the easiest to calculate, although they are not always the most obvious. They seek compensation for all impacts of a Fresno accident that have measurable dollar values, such as:
- Medical bills (medical treatment, large medical bills, hospital costs, rehabilitation)
- Lost income
- Property damage
After a Fresno motorcycle accident, there are many financial impacts that motorcycle riders may suffer. Many people fail to recognize the damages beyond the major ones like their medical bills and earnings.
An experienced Fresno motorcycle accident attorney will ensure that EVERY economic damage is accounted for, no matter how minor it may seem at first glance. Each of these damages adds up, and there is no reason why someone should be financially responsible for at fault driver that has caused these costs and losses. Attention to detail and a deep understanding of the types of damages that victims suffer will help increase your settlement amount significantly.
NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES
Non-economic damages are much more difficult to calculate because they apply to impacts and injuries that do not have any measurable dollar value associated with them. Fortunately, a Fresno motorcycle accident lawyer has a range of tools and calculations at their disposal in order to reach an accurate dollar value for each of these impacts. They include things like the pain and suffering a motorcycle rider endures after a Fresno accident, as well as the emotional impacts of such a traumatic event like fear, depression, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment.
These are often the most difficult damages for an individual to advocate for themselves because of how nebulous and subjective they are, but this does not mean that they are any less important. Your motorcycle attorneys will fight to get you the money you deserve.
CONTACT US NOW TO WORK WITH OUR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS FRESNO
If you have suffered a serious injury due to a driver negligence, seek immediate help. Take advantage of our Fresno law firm’s offer of a free consultation as soon as possible to partner with an experienced and aggressive attorney from day one.
From the moment you report your Fresno motorcycle accident to the insurance company, their top priority becomes trying to settle your case as quickly as possible. When we handle your case from the start, they know that you are willing to fight to get everything you deserve. Contact our law office today!
FAQs
Who can be held liable for my injuries in a motorcycle accident?
Anyone who contributed to your motorcycle accident in Fresno can be held responsible. Generally, the driver of the vehicle that ran into the motorcycle is found to be at fault in a motorcycle accident involving injury. However, the motorcyclist can be held partially or completely liable, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Can I still bring a claim against the at-fault driver if I wasn’t wearing a helmet in the accident?
You can still file a personal injury claim against the other driver’s insurance to seek compensation. However, if you failed to wear a helmet and suffered a head or face injury, your compensation may be reduced. So, you may not get as much compensation as you would if you wore a helmet.
Will my motorcycle accident case go to trial?
Studies have shown that almost 90 percent of all motorcycle accident cases settle out of court. Typically, motorcycle accident cases are more difficult to settle compared to car accident cases. This is usually because insurance companies are more likely to try them, hoping that the bias against motorcyclists will help them win the case.
