Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Santa Ana, CA

Motorcycle accidents are all too common, and many of these accidents may occur because motorcycles are harder to see than other vehicles. Additionally, injuries to a motorcyclist are often more severe in multi-vehicle collisions. Federal Highway Administration suggests that of all traffic fatalities, fourteen percent of all deaths are related to motorcycle accidents. This number may not seem like a lot, but it is significantly higher when evaluating the proportion of motorcycles compared to other vehicles. Those who survive these accidents can still face severe consequences.

If you were injured in a crash while riding your motorcycle, you may be able to receive compensation from the person who caused your motorcycle accident. Contact the attorneys at Riverview Accident Lawyers for a free consultation and to learn more about your potential personal injury claim and legal rights.

Motorcycle Accident Attorney - Santa Ana, CA

What to Do After a Santa Ana Motorcycle Crash

When you have been in a motorcycle accident, it can be hard to know how to handle that accident. When you’ve been in an accident, your mind may be able to think as clearly as you would hope, but if you are aware of what steps to take beforehand, you can improve your results and start building a case from the moment the accident happens.

Before you do anything else, promote safety. Check yourself over and take note of injuries. Stay away from further danger and, when possible, move away from traffic. Try to manage injuries until help arrives. Don’t leave the accident scene, so you won’t be accused of a hit and run.

Then, call emergency services. You’ll want to seek medical attention, even if you don’t think your injuries are life-threatening. It’s better to get any injuries on the record. Delaying medical treatment can worsen your injury and worsen your case.

You’ll also want police officers to be on the scene. The police will create a report that documents the scene. This report can be useful. Talk to the other people. Get the contact information of any other parties in the accident. You should also get information for anyone who witnessed what happened.

Communicate with your insurance company, and notify your insurance company promptly. Don’t lie to insurers, but it may be good to have an attorney ready before you get too involved with your insurance company. You only need to share that you were in a motorcycle accident. Additional details do not need to be disclosed, but insurance and the California DMV will need to be notified immediately to avoid consequences.

Document the scene and retain evidence. Take photographic or video evidence of your own. This is your chance to show what the scene looks like from your perspective. Have a filing system. Keep all records of the accident in one place so that you don’t lose anything. Maintain records of all communications with other parties.

Then, you will want to find a legal team that has an experience with motorcycle accident cases. You need a Santa Ana law firm that can help you through the experience and that has a record of winning. Riverview Accident Lawyers has helped numerous motorcycle accident victims recover the compensation that they deserved.

Typical Motorcycle Crash Injuries in Santa Ana, CA

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Most motorcycle riders are not unscathed after accidents. HG Legal Resources says that only two percent of motorcyclists are uninjured after a motorcycle accident. Accordingly, it’s especially important to understand the wide range of ways that motorcyclists can be injured in accidents.

Some of the accidents are preventable. The Insurance Information Institute suggests that one of the most effective measures for preventing fatal injuries is wearing helmets, and thirty-seven percent of people who do not wear helmets in motorcycle accidents could have been saved through wearing a helmet. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders often still experience motorcycle accident injuries when they have taken the proper safety measures, and in these cases, those who have been in motorcycle accidents may need legal help to get damages.

Some of the injuries that motorcyclists experience are common across all motor vehicle accidents, but there are some injuries that are specific to motorcyclists due to the unique nature of motorcycle accidents. Protective clothing and bodysuits may limit some of these injuries, but they cannot eliminate all damage. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

  • Neck and back injuries: These injuries can vary in how detrimental they are, but they are all painful. Some of these injuries may do permanent and debilitating damage.
  • Post-traumatic stress and emotional issues: Motorcycle accidents can be highly traumatic and cause prolonged mental distress.
  • Road rash: This is commonly found on the legs, arms, and other common areas of skin that make direct contact with the road’s gravel.
  • Biker’s arm: Biker’s arm is caused by a motorcyclist trying to brace their impact with their arm, which can cause painful damage. This happens so often because it occurs because of a natural survival response.
  • Head injuries: These injuries can include traumatic brain injuries. Concussions and internal bleeding are common in these types of accidents. Not treating these injuries can cause permanent damage and even death.
  • Broken bones: Fractures and breaks can easily occur due to the force of impact after a motorcycle accident. If not medically treated, bones may not heal properly and permanently affect mobility.
  • Organ damage: Some motorcycle accident victims may have damaged organs without knowing it. If left untreated, wrongful death may occur.
  • Bruises and contusions: Bruises and contusions are often found in addition to other injuries and can cause major discomfort with ongoing pain and suffering.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Santa Ana, CA?

The nature of driving is that there are many dangers that can threaten drivers, including those on motorcycles. Motorcyclists can be at fault for motorcycle accidents, but that is generally not the case.

Motorcycle crashes can involve multiple vehicles with car drivers being the ones at fault. Therefore, it’s especially important that motorcyclists seek a legal team that understands their needs and knows how to approach the counterarguments the legal defense will propose. Common causes of these types of accidents include:

  • A violation of the right of way
  • Traffic violations like speeding
  • Low visibility
  • Bad weather conditions
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Fatigue can cause the same impacts as driving under the influence
  • Road defects
  • Distracted driving
  • Texting while driving
  • Multitasking while driving
  • Eating while driving
  • Arguments or distracting conversations in the car

Liability in Motorcycle Crashes

In any type of personal injury case, it’s essential to show that someone is liable for the damage that has been done. In California, this means that plaintiffs must show that defendants have breached a duty of care that has caused harm. The “duty of care” is essentially the responsibility of one party to preserve the well-being of another party. The main idea is that when people are using the roads, they have certain obligations they have to follow, like following traffic laws to prevent an accident from occurring. If they don’t follow those rules, they have breached their duty of care.

For example, if someone acts recklessly and it causes damage to another person, the injured person can seek compensation. Breaking traffic laws, such as running a stop sign, driving while distracted, or driving under the influence, can all be a form of negligence.

Liability is what your legal counsel must prove in order to win your personal injury case. At Riverview Accident Lawyers, we accomplish this by evaluating the evidence and piecing together what happened during the accident. Then, we present our findings to the courts and negotiate for maximum compensation against the liable party.

How Much Can You Get for a Motorcycle Crash?

When considering hiring an attorney, many people wonder how much compensation a motorcycle accident lawyer can win for them. It’s natural to be curious and to wonder if the effort you put in is worth the reward. It’s hard to say what a case will get without knowing the details of that case. Also, every accident is different, meaning that every accident will be worth a different amount.

A few of the most important motorcycle accident damages you will likely look to recover full and fair compensation from are physical and financial losses. Some of these compensatory damages may include current medical bills and future medical expenses from long-term treatment, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property loss, pain and suffering and emotional trauma.

The nature of the damage, percentage of fault, and degree of injuries are all factors that we must consider when determining how much clients can earn in their cases. During a consultation, it can be more accurately determined how much our clients can be awarded in damages.

How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help

An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Santa Ana can help in several ways, and our law firm, Riverview Accident Lawyers, has the knowledge to get our clients maximum compensation. Benefits of working with us include:

  • Understanding our clients' goals and ideal outcomes 
  • Being transparent about what we can and can’t accomplish
  • Working with expert witnesses to illuminate key facts in the motorcycle crash
  • Negotiating with the insurance company and other individuals involved
  • Investigating what occurred during the accident to determine fault
  • Putting together all that we learn to build the strongest case
  • Updating clients throughout the process about what is happening in negotiations
  • Guiding clients to make the best decisions possible 
personal injury attorney santa ana

Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you’re in need of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Santa Ana, look no further. Choosing a lawyer is a hard decision, and it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, with a free consultation, you can get to know Riverview Accident Lawyers better, and we can get to know you better. Through this consultation, you can talk about the nature of your case, and we can decide if our firm is a good fit for you. Additionally, we can give you an idea of what your case may look like if you choose to go forward.

Don’t put off finding a Santa Ana legal firm that’s capable of helping you with your motorcycle accident. Our Santa Ana motorcycle accident lawyers have years of experience in cases involving motorcycle injuries, and we continue to learn and build our knowledge of personal injury law. We understand that accidents can take a lot out of those involved in them and will make every effort to ease your concerns. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation