Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

A motorcycle crash can totally alter the life of the victim. Motorcycle accident injuries are often severe and even devastating, ranging from broken bones to traumatic spinal cord injuries. A severe collision could cost thousands in medical bills, bike repairs, and lost wages, in addition to significant emotional and physical pain and suffering.

At the Leiva Law Firm, our attorneys have been helping motorcycle accident victims and their loved ones recover for many years. We have a firm grasp of motorcycle accident laws in California, and we know how to navigate motorcycle accident cases to the best advantage of each of our injured clients. A skilled Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer from the Leiva Law Firm can help you collect full and fair financial compensation from the driver responsible for your crash.

How Can A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help Me Recover?

Don’t allow an insurance adjuster to persuade you to agree to an unfair settlement following a severe motorcycle crash. An insurance company may be able to escape liability if they can coerce an injured motorcycle rider to consent to less compensation than they actually deserve. A skilled lawyer can prevent this from happening to you.

Contact an experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer who is proficient in personal injury claims. A skilled attorney can provide you with a suitable evaluation of your case’s value. Our team can accurately calculate an estimate for you. We can then negotiate a full and fair settlement to ensure you get the full amount you are entitled to. Unfortunately, the insurance company may still decline to offer a sensible amount. We can then take your claim to court at no upfront cost.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Each year, thousands of motorcycle accidents happen throughout the United States that injure over 80,000 motorcyclists. Sadly, on average, around 4,000 motorcycle riders lose their lives per year throughout the United States. Some common motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Skull fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Road rash
• Lacerations
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Internal injuries
• Lower extremity injuries

Causes of Los Angeles Motorcycle Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association’s Motorcycle Safety 5-Year Plan reports that, on average, the United States spends over 230 million dollars annually on maintaining safe roadways. This includes preserving the safety of motorcyclists. Despite these congressional mandates, traffic accidents continue to happen at alarming rates. These collisions happen for countless reasons; however, over half of them are caused by the actions of negligent drivers.

Acquiring maximum compensation starts with identifying the main cause of your accident. The Golden State operates under a fault-based system for auto insurance, meaning the party at fault for your collision will legally cover the costs associated with your crash. Some common causes of motorcycle accidents in California include:

• Negligent drivers: If a distracted or otherwise negligent motorist crashes into your bike, or causes you to crash, their insurance company may be legally required to cover the cost of your damages. A collision may be caused by a driver who is texting, driving while intoxicated, speeding, breaking the rules of the road, or ignoring the right-of-way of a motorcyclist.
• Roadway defects: Motorcycles are at risk of even minor problems on the road. If loose gravel, a pothole, grass clippings, storm debris, or another defect on the road causes your motorcycle to crash, you may be able to file a claim against the City of Los Angeles for the failure of proper road maintenance.
• Vehicle problems. If you experienced brake failure, a tire blowout, electrical issues, or another automotive issue that led to your accident, the motorcycle manufacturer may owe you compensation through the laws of product liability.

Most motorcycle crash cases are tort claims. These are meant to hold negligent parties liable for the damages suffered by the victim. Your attorney will prove that the defendant (the at-fault driver) caused your wreck in order for you to collect compensation based on tort laws. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney from the Leiva Law Firm can help you establish your case as an injured motorcyclist, beginning with proving who was at fault.

Compensation for Los Angeles Motorcycle Collisions

What your motorcycle accident claim is worth is important to your ability to move on with your life. Whether your injuries were catastrophic, like spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries, or you suffered injuries that may have been less severe, you should always be informed of what compensation you are qualified to receive for your medical expenses and other damages. The best way to get a valid answer is by attending a free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer from the Leiva Law Firm.

Every motorcycle accident case is different. A Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine, catalog, and assess your damages. Some of these may include:

• All past and future medical care costs
• Lost wages
• Motorcycle repairs
• Motorcycle replacement
• Rental car fees
• Emotional turmoil
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Punitive damages

Typically, a motorcycle accident lawsuit involving catastrophic injuries is valued higher than a claim involving minor injuries. This is because more serious injuries correspond to more expensive medical treatment and a larger impact on your overall life. If your case goes to trial, a jury will calculate financial compensation on the extent of your injuries and how they have affected your life and ability to operate to your highest standard of living.

Your case will more likely end up settling outside of court. An insurance company will evaluate your medical bills and other damages in order to determine their worth. A Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer knows how to make a viable claim that is in the insurance company’s best interest to pay instead of taking their chances in a civil trial.

How Long Do I Have To File a Claim?

In California, the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the crash. The statute of limitations is the same for wrongful death lawsuits. However, the wrongful death lawsuit’s statute of limitations starts from the date of death, which may differ from the date of the collision. A motorcycle crash attorney can help you understand the exceptions to the two-year rule.

Exceptions to the statute of limitations are allowed by California courts in certain circumstances. Some of the most common instances include:

• Mental Incapacitation after the crash
• Physical Incapacitation after the crash
• Minor under the age of 18; the two-year statute of limitations does not begin until the person has reached the age of 18.