According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 4,985 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2018. These fatalities accounted for 14 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2018. There were more than twice the motorcyclist deaths in 1997. In 2017 California had 566 deaths related to motorcycle crashes and 13,907 injuries.
Motorcyclists must take every precaution to remain safe while riding. However, even the strictest precautions will not guarantee their safety on the road, especially when other motorists are negligent. Motorcyclists who sustain injuries in an accident should seek the advice of an experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer from Kash Legal. They could be entitled to monetary compensation for their damages.
To win a claim against another motorist or party, you or your Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney will need to be able to prove the elements of negligence. Suppose you don’t have the ability to prove each of them. In that case, it’s unlikely that you will receive fair compensation for your injuries. These elements include:
Without a legal background, it can be challenging, if not impossible, to prove all of these elements exist in your case by yourself, especially if you are still healing from your injuries. To increase the chances of a fair and full recovery, many injured motorcyclists will enlist the help of a seasoned Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer.
After being injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s best to seek the opinion of a knowledgeable Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. When you meet with them, they can let you know if you have a valid claim, how much your claim might be worth, and what your next steps should be.
After your accident, there are many pieces of valuable evidence, such as witness statements, your motorcycle, your clothing, and the scene of the accident. If you wait too long to speak to an attorney, this evidence could be lost or destroyed. Without evidence, your case may not be as successful. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner they can begin collecting and preserving the evidence needed to prove your claim.
Another reason to get legal assistance as soon as possible is so that your case can be filed within California’s statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a law that mandates the timeframe to file a personal injury claim. In California, the statute is two years from the date of your motorcycle accident.
If you fail to file your lawsuit within the two-year statute, your right to use the civil court system to recover money for your damages no longer exists. Your Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney will be keenly aware of when the statute of limitations expires in your case and will work to ensure this deadline is not missed.
Many factors make riding a motorcycle more dangerous than being in a vehicle. You have less protection. Drivers and passengers in other vehicles have airbags, seatbelts, and metal frames to protect them. You only have two points of contact with the ground, whereas other vehicles typically have at least four. Motorcycles are also harder to see than bigger vehicles on the road.
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by many different actions and situations. They often happen because another driver breaches the duty they owe to other drivers, including motorcyclists. The most common causes of motorcycle accidents in California are:
Many other reasons and scenarios exist that can cause or contribute to motorcycle accidents, such as driver fatigue or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even if you believe that you played a role in causing your accident, it’s still a good idea to discuss what happened with a well-versed Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer. Depending on the circumstances, injured individuals who were negligent in their own accidents can sometimes still receive compensation. If you don’t share what happened with a lawyer, you could be walking away from the money you deserve and need for your injuries.
Jonathan M. Kashani is the founder of Kash Legal Group, specializing in personal injury law with a commitment to providing personalized client services and high-quality legal representation. He holds a Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law and is admitted to practice in all state courts of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
No one plans to be in a motorcycle accident. In fact, most riders take the necessary steps to protect themselves as much as possible. When an accident happens, it must be dealt with. Medical bills add up, paychecks stop coming in, and you could face a long and painful recovery. Your life seems to be at a standstill while everyone around you goes on with their lives.
While you can’t turn back the clock and erase what happened, you can rely on an experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney to make this situation as of right as possible for you. This usually involves holding the other driver or party and their insurance company liable for their actions.
If you need a trusted advocate, schedule a case evaluation with a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer from Kash Legal. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our personal injury attorneys as you could miss the deadline for filing your claim or take the chance that necessary evidence in your claim is lost or damaged.
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