Los Angeles and the surrounding areas give motorcycle riders plenty of places to enjoy spectacular views and wonderful riding weather. However, accidents involving motorcycles often result in severe injuries. At Okabe & Haushalter, we are standing by to help if you need a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney. We have extensive experience handling complex vehicle accident and injury claims throughout California, and we have the resources necessary to help you secure maximum compensation for your losses.
Motorcycles offer zero protection to riders, and when they collide with an automobile of any kind, disastrous injuries or wrongful death are almost inevitable. Riders are extremely vulnerable to injuries such as:
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a motorcycle accident, you should immediately speak with a competent Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. You will need to know what your options are and you may be entitled to recover damages.
According to data available from the California Office of Traffic Safety, we can see that there are more than 870,000 total registered motorcycles in this state. During the latest reporting year of data we have on file, we can see that there were nearly 13,000 total motorcyclist injuries and 474 motorcyclist fatalities. Unfortunately, many of these injuries and fatalities happened right here in the Los Angeles area.
Motorcycle accidents occur for a wide variety of reasons. In some cases, motorcyclists fail to follow traffic laws and cause devastating crashes. However, all too often, the careless or negligent actions of drivers inside regular passenger vehicles cause these collisions. The reality is that passenger vehicle drivers tend to ignore the rights of motorcyclists on the roadway.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in the Los Angeles area include drivers:
A skilled Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer needs to be involved in these cases early on so they can conduct a complete investigation into the incident. An attorney can gather the appropriate evidence necessary to prove liability, including photo or video surveillance of the incident, statements from eyewitnesses, vehicle “black box” data, mobile device data, accident reports, and more.
A common mistake that motorcycle victims make is not filing their claims on time. It is crucial to understand that insurance carriers in these situations have very strict reporting deadlines. Failing to file a claim with an insurance carrier within a day or two after the incident occurs could result in the claim being delayed or denied.
Additionally, the personal injury statute of limitations in California is two years from the date an injury occurs. If an injured motorcyclist in Los Angeles fails to file a claim against the alleged negligent driver within this two-year timeframe, they will lose the ability to recover any compensation at all.
If you are incapable of continuing to work because of your injuries, you may be wondering how you will pay your bills and continue to support your family. These are common causes of stress and anxiety for clients because there are usually medical bills and other expenses that keep adding up as well. You may be entitled to recover:
At Okabe & Haushalter, our seasoned attorneys know how to fight for what is fair and deserved for you while keeping your legal rights protected. We always go over your options with you and proceed in a way that aligns with your best interests. You will be kept informed throughout the course of your case so you know what to expect in the coming weeks and months. We know that time is of the essence and we will work to see that any compensation you are entitled to be recovered as quickly as possible. If you need help, we are prepared to evaluate your case and advise you on how to proceed with legal action in your claim.
If you or someone you care about has been hurt on a motorcycle, Contact a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer now for help.
