Riding your motorcycle along the beautiful roads of Glendale, California, is a pastime many bikers love to take advantage of. Unfortunately, the risk of injury for motorcyclists is far more severe than that of traditional motorists. If you have suffered catastrophic injuries caused by a collision, you may have the right to compensation if someone else is liable.
You may require the legal support and guidance of a Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group to get the most out of your claim. Schedule your free consultation today to learn more about the steps you must take to hold the at-fault party accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
How Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Glendale
It is necessary for your motorcycle accident lawyer in Glendale, CA, to figure out who is responsible for causing your accident and resulting injuries. This individual or entity will compensate you for your damages accordingly.
Motorcycle accidents can occur in multiple ways, such as through driver negligence and errors. Other times, defective motor vehicle parts and hazardous road conditions cause injuries. Some of the most common ways Glendale motorcycle accidents happen include the following:
- Driving over the speed limit
- Distracted driving, including manual, cognitive, and visual distractions
- Drowsy driving
- Failure to yield or stop
- Improper use of turn signals
- Making illegal turns
- Failure to check blind spots
- Improperly secured road construction zones
- Lack of sufficient street lighting
- Failure to make road repairs
- Failure to replace missing street signs
- Failure to repair traffic lights
- Failure to complete vehicle inspections
- Failure to make repairs to vehicles
- Other traffic violations
These are only a few ways in which motorcycle accidents can occur. If your accident was caused in another way, you might still have the right to compensation if someone else is responsible for causing your injuries. You can discuss your options further when you go over the specific details of your case with your motorcycle accident attorney.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Glendale, call (310) 896-2723
Liability and Negligence in Glendale Motorcycle Accidents
The only way your insurance and civil claims can be successful is if your motorcycle accident attorney in Glendale, CA, can prove the defendant’s negligence and liability. Proving liability is different in civil court than the burden of proof in criminal court.
In criminal court, the prosecutor must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil court, your motorcycle accident lawyer must prove liability based on a preponderance of the evidence. To accomplish this goal, we must show that the elements of negligence have been met, and these include:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Proving a Breach of Care
We must show that the liable party owed you a duty of care. For example, if another driver struck you, that driver owed you a duty of care as another motorist on the roadway. We must show the defendant breached their duty of care by driving unsafely or otherwise failing to operate their vehicle correctly.
Your Glendale motorcycle accident attorney must show causation between the defendant’s breach of the duty of care and the injuries and damages you sustained. Finally, you must have suffered considerable damages due to the defendant’s negligent actions. This does not necessarily mean you must have suffered life-threatening or catastrophic injuries. Still, your accident and damages must have substantially affected your life financially, emotionally, or physically.
Glendale Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Legal Options After a Motorcycle Accident in Glendale
You have multiple legal options after being involved in a Glendale motorcycle accident. Although many injury victims try to avoid going to trial, doing so could be an excellent opportunity for you to fully recover your damages without being limited by insurance policy restrictions.
File a Motorcycle Accident Insurance Claim with the Liable Party
Generally, since California follows a fault-based insurance system, when you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you must file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. When you file a claim with the insurer, you can expect to recover compensation for the damages protected by the policy.
For instance, property damage liability coverage should cover a portion of your vehicle repairs or personal property damages. Similarly, bodily injury liability coverage is designed to cover your medical expenses after a motorcycle wreck.
File a Motorcycle Accident Insurance Claim with Your Insurer
Sometimes, you might have the right to file a claim with your auto insurance provider. Since California is a fault state, you are under a legal obligation to carry personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault coverage. However, if you opt into no-fault coverage, it could allow you to file a claim with your insurer, no matter who is responsible for causing the accident.
Discuss this option with your motorcycle accident attorney first. Filing a claim with your insurance company means the insurer could likely increase your premiums when your policy renews. If you do not want to get stuck with additional insurance costs, it may be ill-advised to file a claim with your insurance company.
File a Civil Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Glendale Courts
Motorcycle accident insurance settlements are often limited to the amounts and types of coverage the policyholder purchases. If your damages exceed these limits, you will not be able to recover your damages in full. There will be excess damages.
When you bring your motorcycle accident case to trial, you can recover compensation for all losses. Not nearly the ones covered by the insurance company. Some examples of these damages could include:
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of companionship and love
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Diminished earning capacity
- Loss of income
- Future medical expenses
- Diminished value of your motorcycle
- Emotional trauma
- Physical pain and suffering
Click to contact our Glendale Personal Injury Lawyers today
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Glendale for Help Today
Motorcycle accident lawsuits are often overwhelming. Having a skilled legal advocate you can depend on could make all the difference in your ability to recover maximum compensation for your suffering. An experienced Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group can help you pursue justice.
With our team protecting your rights, you can heal while we handle every legal detail of your case. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today when you complete our confidential contact form or call our office to get started.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form