Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Close to 500 motorcyclists are killed in fatal accidents across the state of California every year. Thousands more are injured, as are passenger car drivers and occupants in accidents involving motorcycles. Most of the time, these accidents happen because someone involved was negligent or reckless on the road.
If you or someone you love is among the thousands of motorists injured in motorcycle accidents every year, the Southern California motorcycle accident legal team at Morris Law is here to help. Call our personal injury law firm for a free consultation to discuss your options for obtaining compensation for the harm you and your family have endured.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
At Morris Law, we know that motorcycle accidents can happen for any number of reasons. Drivers can be negligent, motorcycle riders can be reckless, even pedestrians can dart out into the middle of the road. Whatever the reason for your accident, if someone else was at fault, we can help. We represent victims injured in motorcycle accidents caused by any number of factors, including:
- Auto drivers and motorcycle riders alike create serious dangers on the road when they operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Rider inexperience. Riding a motorcycle requires calm nerves and split-second decision-making. New motorcycle riders are significantly more likely to make errors that can lead to a crash. A large portion of motorcycle accidents, in fact, involve riders operating a bike without a proper license.
- Lane-splitting and other aggressive maneuvers. Lane-splitting or “white-lining” is legal in the State of California. However, it can still be very dangerous. Riders who try to skip through traffic without taking proper precautions, or who engage in other aggressive driving tactics, put other vehicle occupants at risk of injury.
- Drowsy driving. Operating a vehicle without proper sleep can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. As a matter of fact, safety experts state that going without sleep for 24 hours mimics the effects of driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.10%, which is over the legal limit for driving in California.
- Car door accidents. Auto drivers, either intentionally or unintentionally, often clip motorcycle riders with open doors as bikers slip in between lanes of traffic. A car door accident can be serious or even fatal for motorcycle riders.
- Roadway defects. Bikers are much more directly affected by problems with the roads, such as potholes or cracks. Municipalities that allow dangerous road conditions to persist may even be liable for accidents that result.
Compensation Available After a Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident in California caused by someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to a variety of damages. You have the right to recover for “economic” harm, meaning the quantifiable monetary losses you have incurred, as well as for “noneconomic” harm, meaning the intangible harm you have suffered. Depending on how recklessly the at-fault driver was behaving, you might also be eligible for punitive damages.
At Morris Law Firm, we fight for all possible damages available to car accident victims. You may be entitled to economic damages including:
- Medical costs, including past, current, and future anticipated expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity due to disability
You may also be eligible for noneconomic damages including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of quality of life
Additionally, punitive damages are available if the defendant’s conduct was malicious, egregious, or especially reckless. If the driver was drunk when they caused the crash, for example, you could collect punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded on top of compensatory (economic and non-economic) damages and are meant to punish the wrongdoer.
Call Morris Law Firm After a Motorcycle Crash in Los Angeles or Southern California
Motorcycle accidents can happen for any number of reasons. We know that each case, and each injured victim, is unique. We provide individualized, tailored service for each of our clients to best serve their claims. Call our Los Angeles motorcycle injury attorney today to evaluate your unique personal injury claim. Morris Law Firm will give you a personalized evaluation and help you figure out your legal rights and next steps.
Call us today at 747-283-1144 for a fast response or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.
