Motorcycle accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries for riders. Because they aren’t protected by crumple zones, seat belts, or airbags, riders take the full brunt of any collision they’re involved in, leading to broken bones, internal organ damage, and road rash.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Beverly Hills, contact Dordick Law Corporation at (310) 736-2866 for a free consultation with an experienced and compassionate member of our legal team. Let our Beverly Hills motorcycle accident lawyers help you seek the medical attention and compensation you need for your injuries. For clear directions, view our location on Google Maps.
Motorcycle Accidents We Handle in Beverly Hills
Motorcycle accidents have various causes, and exactly how a motorcycle crash happened can play a significant role in your case. Our firm has handled a wide range of motorcycle accident cases, including those caused by:
- Distracted drivers
- Intoxicated drivers
- Speeding and reckless driving, which significantly increases crash risk
- unsafe lane changes
- Left-turning vehicles
- Failure to yield incidents
- Sudden stops
- Tailgating
- Poor road conditions
- Defective vehicle components
- Poor vehicle maintenance
The first step in seeking the compensation you need is identifying the at fault driver. In distracted driving cases, the other motorist may be liable. In accidents caused by poor road conditions, the government entity responsible for maintaining the roads may be liable. And in collisions caused by defective parts, vehicle manufacturers may be liable. In many motorcycle accidents, the other vehicle violated the rider’s right of way.
By identifying all liable parties, your lawyer can help maximize your compensation by reducing the impact individual auto insurance policy limits have on your total compensation. Shoulder injuries are also common, which is one more reason a full recovery depends on identifying every liable party.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to data gathered by the National Safety Council (NSC), despite making up only 3 percent of vehicles on the road, motorcyclists account for more than 15 percent of all traffic fatalities. This is largely due to the lack of safety features motorcyclists have protecting them in the event of an accident.
One of the main pieces of safety gear for motorcyclists is a proper motorcycle helmet. Under the California helmet law, all motorcycle riders and passengers must wear a helmet. State law requires helmets for both riders and passengers. According to statistics provided by the NSC, motorcycle helmets are between 37 and 41 percent effective at preventing fatal injuries. Helmets help reduce some head injuries, but riders can still suffer traumatic brain injuries in a serious collision. Based on this data, it’s crucial that riders always wear proper helmets to protect against some of the worst injuries motorcyclists face.
Other safety gear to wear includes riding gloves, jackets, pants, and boots. California also has unique traffic laws regarding lane splitting. The less exposed skin, the better, as exposed skin is prone to road rash injuries if you fall from your motorcycle.
Examples of Motorcycle Accident Cases
One of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in California is driver inattentiveness. Most motorcyclists ride responsibly, but they remain vulnerable when drivers are inattentive and fail to notice them. However, even when not distracted, many drivers don’t pay enough attention to their surroundings, leading to motorcycle collisions.
For example, a driver may not properly check their blind spot before making an unsafe lane change into a lane occupied by a motorcycle. Or they may only check for larger vehicles coming before pulling out of a side street onto a major road. Left-turning drivers and drivers in another other vehicle often misjudge a motorcycle rider’s speed or right of way.
Poor road conditions can also contribute to motorcycle accidents in and around Beverly Hills. Potholes, cracked pavement, and uneven lanes can all cause riders to lose control. Additionally, faded road lines, missing traffic signs, or faulty traffic signals can lead to collisions with other vehicles. When poor road conditions are to blame, the government entity responsible for maintaining the roads may be liable for your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about motorcycle accidents in Beverly Hills. If you have further questions for our lawyers, we’ll be happy to answer them for you during your initial consultation.
What compensation is available for my Beverly Hills motorcycle accident injuries?
After a motorcycle accident, you can seek compensation for your losses by filing an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s liability coverage policy, and how much compensation may be available depends on the losses the evidence supports. Under California law, all drivers must have the following liability coverage at a minimum:
- $30,000 per person for injury or death
- $60,000 per accident for injury or death
- $15,000 per accident for property damage
The losses you can seek compensation for through a personal injury claim include the following. These may include both economic damages and other economic losses:
- Past and future medical expenses related to the accident
- Wages lost due to your injuries
- Wages you will lose due to your long-term inability to work
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Repairing or replacing damaged or lost property
How much does it cost to hire a Beverly Hills motorcycle accident lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers and a motorcycle accident attorney work on a contingency fee basis. This means they get paid a percentage of your settlement or trial award, and finding local firms with verified trial experience can matter in motorcycle accident cases. This percentage is typically between 30 and 40 percent but may differ depending on the lawyer’s experience, the firm’s areas of focus, the complexity of your case, and whether your case goes to trial. Legal representation often increases the likelihood of a higher settlement.
When consulting with an attorney for the first time, it’s always a good idea to ask about their fee structure and how much they’ll charge. However, the benefit of hiring a lawyer for a contingency fee is that you don’t owe anything unless their experienced legal team secures compensation for you. And because the compensation comes out of your settlement or trial award, you don’t have to worry about how to pay for it, but you should still ask them to explain the fees and process in plain language.
How long do I have to file a Beverly Hills motorcycle accident lawsuit?
California state law generally gives injured riders two years to file a personal injury lawsuit against the parties responsible for causing their injuries. This two-year time limit also applies to families seeking compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit after the death of a loved one.
Claims against a government entity usually must be filed within six months, and some late claims may still be requested up to one year.
You must file your lawsuit within this period or missing the deadline can permanently bar your claim. While two years may sound like plenty of time, it takes time to thoroughly investigate motorcycle accidents, gather evidence, and build a strong case. For this reason, you should speak to a legal professional about your case as soon as possible.
What steps should I take after a motorcycle accident in Beverly Hills?
After the accident happened, reporting it to the police and seeking medical treatment are only the first steps. You should also take the following long-term steps to strengthen your case:
- Collect contact information from all parties involved, including the driver of the other vehicle and any witnesses.
- Preserve the details of the accident in writing by noting everything you remember about the crash in a journal.
- Follow up with all medical treatment and keep track of all bills related to treating your injuries.
- Photograph your visible injuries over time to document your recovery and the effectiveness of your treatments.
- Make sure the crash is properly reported, because police reports are vital for insurance companies and any motorcycle accident claim.
- Certain crashes also require a California DMV Accident Reporting form within 10 days.
- Avoid providing a recorded statement to insurance companies without your lawyer present.
- Consult an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer and have them handle all aspects of your case, including a thorough investigation, gathering witness statements, and proving liability for your claim.
What if the other driver claims I was at fault?
If the other driver claims you were at fault for the accident, you need an experienced lawyer to address defenses raised by the at fault driver and build the evidence against them. Under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, comparative fault can reduce your damages based on the share of blame assigned to you during a lawsuit. For example, if the jury finds you to be 30 percent at fault, you could only recover 70 percent of your damages. California’s comparative fault rules can also affect disputes involving helmet use or lane splitting.
To reduce the impact of comparative negligence, your lawyer must present various pieces of evidence that demonstrate the other driver’s fault for the accident and counter arguments from defense attorneys, including:
- Accident scene photographs
- Traffic camera footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert testimony
- Medical records
Contact Our Beverly Hills Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
If you were in a motorcycle accident in Beverly Hills, contact Dordick Law Corporation at (310) 736-2866 for a free consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyers. We’ll review the accident, explain your options for seeking compensation, and answer any questions you have about your case. Our lawyers are committed to helping injured motorcycle riders by providing comprehensive legal support.
