Alameda Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Have you or a loved one suffered life-altering injuries in a motorcycle accident due to a negligent driver?

Riding a motorcycle is a popular method of travel, sport, and leisure for many bikers. Over 800,000 motorcycles are registered in California, and hundreds of motorcycle fatalities occur each year. Motorcyclists share the road with millions of drivers on roads and highways every day. When accidents happen, injured bikers and their passengers can take legal action to pursue compensation when a driver has liability for causing a collision. 

Riding a motorcycle may be a fun and exciting activity. However, many bikers still face the risks and dangers of being killed or seriously injured when sharing the road with cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Understanding the types of compensation and what you may be eligible to receive may help you as an injured biker. At Setareh Law, our trustworthy personal injury attorneys help many injured victims understand their rights by representing them throughout the injury claim process. 

What Causes Motorcycle Collisions?

California’s driving conditions can vary from day to day for all who share roads and highways. The reasons why collisions and motorcycle-related accidents occur can vary. Since motorcycles are smaller than surrounding cars, trucks, and other vehicles, it may not be easy to see them at times. However, many collisions are preventable accidents, where negligent drivers could have refrained from unlawful acts and negligent behaviors while operating their vehicles. 

Common reasons motorcycle-related accidents occur include:

• Speeding 
• Drunk driving 
• Unsafe lane changes 
• Dangerous road conditions 
• Abrupt stops 
• Inexperienced driving 
• Distracted driving 
• Left-hand turns 

In some cases, motorcyclists and other drivers may both partake in fault during a collision. Lane splitting, which became legal in California in 2017, allows bikers to share the road with surrounding cars and vehicles by riding in the space between cars. However, other actions such as driving on shoulders, speeding, riding a motorcycle on one wheel, and certain traffic violations are illegal and can result in collisions that leave bikers seriously injured. 

Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents May Vary in Recovery Times 

Being involved in a motorcycle collision is very dangerous, and many of these accidents have led to fatalities. Many motorcycle accident victims often consider their injuries minor if they can walk out of the accident seemingly unharmed. However, motorcycle accidents differ significantly from car accidents. Motorcyclists are fully exposed to their surroundings. Depending on their attire, they may lack the proper coverage to protect themselves from harsh roadways and significant impacts. 

Common accident injuries of injured motorcyclists include:

• Road rash or burns
• Broken or fractured bones 
• Soft tissue injuries 
• Traumatic brain injuries 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Internal organ damage 
• Neck and back injuries 
• Injuries to lower extremities 

Factors such as the severity of impact, type of collision, and whether the biker was wearing a helmet or other protective gear can predict the possibility of injury. However, even minor effects can cause serious damage because motorcyclists are exposed to their surroundings when traveling at different speeds along the same roads and highways that cars and trucks use. When looking at every aspect of the case, a skilled attorney can build a strategy to defend against the party’s actions at fault. 

Liability and Injury Claims in California

California law permits injured individuals to file a claim against a party liable for the damage and injury their actions imposed on the injured. However, under the comparative negligence rule, more than one party may be at fault regardless of the injuries each may have endured. Although, this does mean you can still pursue legal action against the other party for the percentage of fault they played in the accident that resulted in your damage and injury. 

If you played a role in a resulting collision as a motorcyclist, you might wonder what your options are and how an attorney can help. Regardless of the type of accident you’re involved in, our expert personal injury attorney has ample knowledge of California’s laws, methods, and legal proceedings. Each day, we aid our clients regarding their varying case needs and pertinent resources. Trusting our legal team with your case, even if a portion of negligence is on your behalf, we can fight aggressively for the types of compensation you may be eligible to retrieve. 

Types of Compensation Recovery After an Accident 

Compensation may look differently for each injury case because of the varying factors that are considered in determining economic and non-economic damages, injuries, and the total value of a case. Having a skilled legal team on your side throughout the process of a claim and reaching a settlement may significantly impact the outcome of your case. Handling a case independently can cause you to risk the necessary defense and negotiation skills that a trustworthy attorney may extend to you. 

Non-economic damages may include: 

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and damage 
• Loss of consortium 
• Loss of enjoyment of life 
• Disfigurement 
• Mental anguish 

Economic damages may include:

• Past or future medical expenses for accident-related injuries 
• Past or future loss of wages and work 
• Property damage 
• Loss of earning capacity 

Your best option to pursue the total amount of compensation in your injury claim is to seek legal support. California’s laws and contributory negligence rule can make it complex to handle your claim on your own. A dedicated legal team that specializes in personal injury and has built a rapport within the Alameda community may help you receive the best outcome in a settlement. Our legal team has seen many favorable results in motorcycle accident cases through skilled negotiation, aggressive strategy, and a dedication to helping our injured clients. 

Can I File a Claim if I Was Not Wearing a Helmet?

Wearing a helmet helps protect many bikers while traveling on a motorcycle. Although taking this measure does not prevent death or severe injury, it is against the law to not wear a helmet while riding a bike. 

California’s vehicle code section 27803 states: 

“…It is unlawful to operate a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet as required by subdivision (a)…”

If a motorcyclist was injured in a collision but did not wear a helmet at the time of the accident, it is possible that this could result in a percentage of negligence on their part. Although, helmets are no guarantee of safety or death. If you have been injured in a severe motorcycle accident where the other driver shares blame or are entirely to blame, your legal team may protect your rights and defend you against their percentage of negligence. 

Consult With an Alameda Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Setareh Law Firm 

The effects of enduring a motorcycle accident may go beyond physical injury. At Setarah Law Firm, we want to help our clients file a claim and pursue compensation that will aid them in their recovery. Accidents on the road and with a vehicle when traveling on a motorcycle may be very traumatizing and have long-term effects. 

Regardless of whether you share fault in the accident, a skilled attorney may be able to support your claim and provide the resources necessary to support the recovery of compensation for the injuries and damages you have endured. Our experienced and aggressive strategy in defending our clients and gathering solid proof for injury cases may benefit you throughout the lawsuit process. To schedule a free consultation, you may fill out a contact form or call our office at (310) 659-1826. We also speak Spanish.