Motorcycle accidents happen every day on California’s roads, causing serious injury or worse. In fact, 565 motorcyclists died in collisions in 2021 in the state, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.
It’s important to understand your rights after a motorcycle accident as a driver who behaved carelessly behind the wheel can be held accountable for resulting losses. Miller & Steele Law Firm exclusively represents accident victims, including many motorcycle riders, and we’ll work with you to navigate the legal system and get compensation for your crash.
Give us a call today at (760) 439-2210 to schedule a free consultation with a Vista motorcycle accident lawyer who is ready to fight for you.
Who is Responsible for Motorcycle Accidents?
There are many potential reasons for a motorcycle accident to occur. Because motorcycles are smaller than the average car, it can make it difficult for drivers to see on the road. However, some of the most common reasons motorcyclists are involved in collisions include:
- Unsafe left turns on the part of other drivers who don’t see the motorcyclist
- Unsafe lane changes
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
If a driver is negligent in these or other ways that are a direct cause of a motorcycle crash, they can be liable for losses. That’s because under California Civil Code Section 1714, “everyone is responsible, not only for the result of their willful acts but also for an injury occasioned to another by their want of ordinary care or skill in the management of their property or person.”
It doesn’t matter if the driver meant to do something unsafe — if they violated a safety rule or weren’t as careful as a hypothetical reasonable person would have been in their situation, they bear monetary responsibility for resulting losses. Their auto insurer should cover the bills including paying for:
- Past and future medical care you need as a result of the motorcycle accident.
- Lost wages and loss of earning power if injuries prevent you from working to your full capacity
- Pain and suffering resulting from the accident
- Emotional distress, including any PTSD you experience as a result of the motorcycle collision
Statute of Limitations For Filing A Motorcycle Accident Claim
There’s a two-year time period when you can bring your motorcycle accident claim after being injured in a crash or losing a loved one in an accident. California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 explains this limit applies to cases involving “injury to, or..the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.”
If you wait beyond this time, you will be unable to move forward with your claim, so don’t hesitate to get started with the help of a Vista personal injury attorney.
Let The Vista Motorcycle Accident Lawyer of Miller & Steele Law Firm Help You
Miller & Steele Law Firm can provide you with the legal representation you need to get compensation. Our Vista motorcycle accident lawyers understand the California rules applied to car accident claims and we have recovered millions in compensation for our clients through our knowledgeable and dedicated advocacy.
Give us a call at (760) 439-2210 to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help you.