Were you injured in a motorcycle accident in La Jolla, CA? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Motorcycle accidents are among the worst accidents for victims, as riders have virtually no protection from sustaining injuries. The damages in a motorcycle accident claim can be substantial.
Insurance companies often aggressively fight motorcycle accident claims. They may unjustly blame the rider to avoid paying the damages. At Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, LLP, our attorneys have over 80 years of combined experience. We have represented thousands of clients and won over $100 million in jury verdicts and settlements.
Call our law office today to schedule a free consultation at (858)551-2090 with one of our La Jolla motorcycle accident lawyers.
How Our La Jolla Personal Injury Lawyers Help You With a Motorcycle Accident Claim
We are nationally recognized for our legal services, and as a local firm, we know the courts, judges, and lawyers. With over eight decades of experience, we have substantial skills and resources to handle even the most complex injury claims.
Motorcycle accident cases can be difficult to pursue, as the evidence proving fault may be disputed. Our attorneys understand how insurance companies and defense firms challenge claims to avoid paying a fair amount for damages.
When you hire our top-rated La Jolla personal injury lawyers, you can trust we will handle all matters related to your case, including:
- Investigating the motorcycle accident to determine how it occurred and who is responsible
- Identifying all sources of compensation for damages to maximize your recovery
- Gathering evidence proving another party caused the crash, including working with the most qualified expert witnesses
- Aggressively defending you against allegations of blame and contributory fault
- Evaluating your damages to assess how much your claim is worth
- Filing insurance claims and negotiating fair insurance settlements
- Arguing your case before a jury if necessary
Our attorneys have top ratings and recognition from prestigious organizations, including Super Lawyers, America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Lawyers, Avvo, and Martindale Hubbell.
Contact Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, LLP to request your free case evaluation with an experienced La Jolla motorcycle accident attorney.
Common Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
San Diego County ranked third for the number of motorcycle deaths in 2021. It ranked second for the number of serious motorcycle injuries.
A motorcycle does not offer the same protection in a collision as a car or truck. Therefore, the rider is at a high risk of sustaining multiple severe injuries. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations and road rash
- Internal organ damage
- Crushed, fractured, and broken bones
- Severe disfigurement and scarring
- Neck and back injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Nerve damage
- Joint dislocation
- Chest injuries
Seek immediate medical treatment after a motorcycle accident. Delays in medical care could cause complications and life-threatening conditions. It could also make obtaining a fair settlement for an injury claim more difficult.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in La Jolla, CA
Negligence is a common cause of motorcycle accidents. Reasons for motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue and drowsy driving
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Road rage and aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence
- Inadequate maintenance and repairs
- Defective motorcycle parts
- Hazardous road conditions and poorly designed intersections
One or more parties could be liable for damages caused by a motorcycle accident. Other motorists, truck drivers, government entities, manufacturers, bicyclists, repair shops, and riders could contribute to the cause of a motorcycle crash. All parties responsible for causing the accident can share in liability for damages.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in La Jolla, CA?
Many accident victims are out of work for months following a crash. The loss of income can put a severe financial strain on their families. At Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, LLP, we do not want you to worry about costs when hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Our attorneys represent victims for a contingency fee. You only pay us if we win compensation on your behalf.
What Damages Are Available for a La Jolla Motorcycle Accident Claim?
California’s personal injury laws provide for several types of damages in a motorcycle accident case. Damages typically fall into one of the following categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Examples of damages you might receive for a motorcycle accident claim include:
- The cost of past and future medical treatment, nursing care, and rehabilitative therapies
- Impairments, scarring, disability, and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering damages
- Lost wages, including benefits and diminished earning capacity
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including long-term personal care
- Loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life
California law provides for punitive damages in some cases. These damages punish defendants when their conduct is egregious. Recovering punitive damages requires you to prove that the defendant acted with malice, fraud, or oppression. The burden of proof for punitive damages is also higher than the proof required for compensatory damages.
What Factors Impact the Value of My Motorcycle Accident Claim?
We consider numerous factors when calculating the value of your damages for a motorcycle accident claim. Factors that impact the value of your claim include:
- The types of injuries you sustained in the motorcycle crash
- Whether your injuries result in permanent impairments and disabilities
- The length of your recovery period
- The types of treatment required for your injuries
- The parties involved in your accident
- Whether you could be partially to blame for the crash
- The policy limits of the insurance company
- The severity of scarring and disfigurement
- Whether you can return to work or earn any level of income
- How your injuries impact your daily life and relationships with others
- The strength of the evidence in your case
Some factors work in your favor. Other factors can hurt your case. Our legal team analyzes all factors that could impact your compensation for a motorcycle accident claim. We diligently work to obtain the best possible outcome.
What Happens to My Personal Injury Claim if I’m Partially to Blame for My Motorcycle Accident?
California’s contributory fault laws do not prohibit accident victims from recovering damages if they are partially at fault for causing an accident. However, the state has adopted a comparative negligence standard that can reduce damages for fault.
Suppose a jury awarded you $1 million for a motorcycle accident. However, the jurors decided you were 10% to blame for causing the crash. In that case, the judge would reduce your compensation by 10% or $100,000.
Comparative negligence is a good reason to speak with an attorney before talking to an insurance adjuster. An insurance adjuster may try to trick you into saying something that the company could intentionally misconstrue to say you were partially at fault.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident in California?
The moments following a motorcycle accident can be overwhelming. You may be in severe pain or unconscious. Therefore, you might not be able to take all the following steps. However, if possible, remember to:
- Report the accident to the police by calling 911.
- Do not discuss the crash with people at the accident scene.
- Take photographs and make a video of the entire accident scene.
- Ask eyewitnesses for their contact information.
- Be honest and tell the police the facts, but do not admit fault or make assumptions regarding fault.
- Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries.
- Report the accident to your insurance company.
- Take photographs of your injuries throughout your recovery.
- Begin a pain and suffering journal to document your struggle to recover from the accident.
- Keep copies of all documents related to your accident.
Call an injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can handle your claim while you focus on your recovery.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in California?
The California statute of limitations for most motorcycle accidents is two years from the accident date. Missing the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit could result in the dismissal of the case. You would not be able to pursue a lawsuit even though the other party was clearly at fault for causing your injuries.
We encourage you to contact our office as soon as possible after an accident. Exceptions to the general rule could change the deadline in your case, and you do not want to lose your legal right to file a lawsuit.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our La Jolla Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
You deserve to receive fair compensation when a negligent driver or another party causes you to crash your motorcycle. We will fight for your rights at Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, LLP. Call now for a free consultation with one of our La Jolla motorcycle accident lawyers.