A motorcycle accident can leave you with catastrophic injuries, affecting your physical, mental, and financial condition. Ehline Law firm and our motorcycle accident attorneys have recovered over $150 million in compensation for our injured clients.
Whether injury cases or wrongful death cases, our attorneys have more than 15 years of experience successfully handling personal injury cases in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, and more.
Contact our Seal Beach motorcycle accident attorneys if you suffered injuries in an accident in Seal Beach, CA.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Seal Beach, CA
The first step to obtaining compensation for a motorcycle accident in Seal Beach, CA, is to identify the cause. In most motorcycle accidents across the United States, the primary cause of the incident is negligence.
Negligent Drivers
All motorists must take reasonable care while driving and follow the traffic rules. Distracted, drunk, or reckless driving are all examples of negligence, and any driver negligent on the road is liable for injuries caused to others.
In such cases, injury victims may recover compensation from the negligent driver’s insurance company.
Negligent Motorcyclist
The motorcyclist can also be negligent, resulting in an accident and injuries. However, that shouldn’t prevent motorcyclists from pursuing personal injury claims against the other party. In cases where the motorcyclist thinks they may be at fault, it is possible for the other driver also to share responsibility.
Remember, California is a fault-based state that follows pure comparative negligence laws, meaning that even those at fault can obtain monetary damages. Injured motorcyclists must speak to experienced personal injury attorneys to learn about their rights.
Negligent Manufacturer
Manufacturers must ensure that the products they sell are safe for consumers. A negligent motorcycle manufacturer may not adequately test a motorbike’s component, resulting in a defective motorcycle which can increase the risk of an accident.
If an accident occurs due to a defective component, the injured victim can hold the negligent manufacturer responsible for their injuries and pursue a personal injury claim against them.
Negligent Government Entity
It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the roads are properly maintained. Potholes and gravels are a severe hazard for motorcyclists as they can cause the vehicle to slip and crash, resulting in serious injuries to the riders. Construction sites must have proper hazard signs to warn riders so that they can take precautions.
An injured rider can pursue a personal injury claim against the government for any motorcycle accident arising from their negligence.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Seal Beach, CA
Depending on the impact and how they fall, motorcycle riders can suffer from various injuries, including the following:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Bruises, lacerations, and abrasions
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Neck and back injuries
Motorcycle accident injuries can be catastrophic and take a serious toll on the victim’s life. Fortunately, injured victims can pursue a personal injury claim against the negligent party to recover compensation for their loss.
Elements of a Motorcycle Accident Claim
When pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party, the plaintiff needs to establish the following critical elements of a motorcycle accident claim:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a legal duty
- The defendant was negligent and breached their duty to the plaintiff
- The plaintiff suffered injuries
- The plaintiff’s injuries resulted from the defendant’s negligence
Proving the elements of a personal injury case can be challenging, which is why a motorcycle accident victim needs to speak to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
You only get one chance to prove your case, and having a skilled motorcycle accident attorney on your side can increase your chances of obtaining compensation.
Recoverable Damages Following a Motorcycle Accident in Seal Beach, CA
Injured victims can pursue compensatory damages in motorcycle accident cases, but the damages they can recover depend on many factors, including the type of injury and the severity of the injury.
The type of damages and how much you can recover also depend on the expertise and skills of the personal injury attorney.
General Compensatory Damages Victims May Recover
Typically, motorcycle accident victims can pursue economic and non-economic damages following their accident.
- Economic damages are the direct expenses arising from the accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages compensate the victims for non-monetary or subjective losses, such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
The Court May Award Punitive Damages
In personal injury cases involving serious gross negligence, the court may award punitive damages to punish the defendant for their reckless actions and deter others from carrying out similar wrongdoings.
Calculating Damages Can Be Challenging
Calculating non-economic damages are challenging and require the help of medical and legal experts. Victims without the help of a reputable personal injury firm often lose out on money damages, receiving far lower compensation than what they truly deserve.
Skilled motorcycle accident lawyers can help assess and calculate the damages and protect your rights by fighting for maximum compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle accident in Seal Beach, CA
Injured victims must speak to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney immediately following the motorcycle accident.
Under California statute of limitations, injured motorcyclists have two years following the date of their injury to pursue compensation. However, if the accident occurred due to the negligence of a government agency, the statute of limitations shortens to six months.
You may not have enough time, depending on the circumstance surrounding your motorcycle accident case. It would be best if you reached out to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible.
What Should You Do Following Your Motorcycle Accident in Seal Beach, CA?
The steps you take following your accident will determine the case’s outcome. Whether injured in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, or any other accidents, the injured victims need to follow the steps below to protect their case and improve their chances of securing compensation:
- Call 911 for help.
- Talk to the other party involved and exchange contact details and insurance information.
- Take pictures of the accident site, any traffic signs, the road, your injuries, and the vehicles involved.
- If there are witnesses, speak to them and take their contact details. Witness statements can help bolster a personal injury case.
- Head to the hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and make sure you attend all the appointments.
- Contact our experienced motorcycle accident attorney to start the legal process.
How Can Seal Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help You?
Ehline Law firm and our motorcycle accident lawyers have over 15 years of experience protecting the rights of injured motorcyclists and ensuring they get the compensation they deserve.
Ehline Law firm has over 15 law offices across California, with our motorcycle accident lawyers serving San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles County, and other locations.
We’ve recovered more than $150 million for our clients and can help you with the following:
- Take care of the legal process and file a personal injury claim.
- Investigate the accident and gather the necessary evidence to build a trial-ready case.
- Handle the insurance company and negotiate a fair settlement.
- Go to trial if there is a disagreement over the settlement.
Ehline Law firm motorcycle accident lawyers in Seal Beach, CA, will tirelessly fight for your rights while you recover from your injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law firm
If you suffered a serious injury, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation with our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers to learn more about your motorcycle accident case. Our motorcycle accident lawyers understand the legal system and the rules applicable to Seal Beach, CA.
