Irvine Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Irvine Motorcycle Accident Attorney
An unfortunate occurrence across the Golden State, motorcycle accidents can cause serious, life-altering, and even fatal injuries. With its scenic drives and warm temperatures year-round, California is a highly sought-after destination for motorcyclists around the country, leading to frequent accidents involving these vehicles. If you have suffered a motorcycle accident, an Irvine motorcycle accident lawyer is essential for offering trustworthy advice and legal representation.
The sad reality is that some people will never fully recover from these devastating crashes. The good news, however, is that depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to pursue legal compensation. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you and your loved ones determine the right course of action by going over and investigating the details of your wreck and can make sure you receive the justice you deserve.
California Motorcycle Laws
A motorcycle accident may not always be avoidable due to the behaviors of others on the roadways. However, there are steps you can take by following certain state laws and rules that can help mitigate your risk of getting in a wreck. Obeying these laws can ensure that your actions are predictable to the drivers around you. It can also help you avoid legal trouble or impede any personal liability should a crash occur. These laws can include:
- Rules of the roadway. In California, a motorcyclist has all the same roadway rights as those operating a typical motorized vehicle. Because of this, other drivers must keep a safe distance between themselves and motorcycles and yield the right-of-way to them when necessary.
- Motorcycle licenses. Before operating a motorcycle, riders must obtain the correct motorcycle license. This requires them to complete training and testing, such as a riding test.
- Helmet requirements. According to California law, all riders and passengers on a motorcycle must wear motorcycle safety helmets, no matter their age.
- Lane-splitting law. Riding a motorcycle on the line between two lines of traffic traveling in the same direction is no longer illegal in California. Motorcycles are allowed to do so as long as they do it wisely and safely.
- Equipment requirement. Your motorcycle must have all the required equipment in the correct operating state. This includes a headlamp, a windscreen or eye protection, a seat and footrests for each person on the motorcycle, a taillight, and working breaks.
If you wish to operate your motorcycle in California and avoid as much personal liability as you can, it is prudent to obey these laws, familiarize yourself with them and your bike, wear the required safety gear, and drive your bike responsibly. It is important to stay vigilant and to be on the watch for other drivers who are breaking laws or failing to notice your presence.
However, if an accident does occur, there are people waiting in the wings, ready to fight for your rights.
Why Trust Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates With Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
If you or a loved one has suffered injury or property damage in an Irvine motorcycle accident, it may be time to find someone who can come alongside you and advocate for you while you stay focused on what’s most important: your physical and mental well-being. At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, we pride ourselves on our hard work and dedication to our clients. We have made it our mission to seek fair compensation for those involved in a litany of personal injury accidents.
Here at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, our attorneys have the skills and resources available to build a strong case for you and take on any opponent. We offer a unique approach to motorcycle accident cases that allows us to stay by your side and offer the confidence necessary when undergoing a personal injury case.
Whatever the circumstances surrounding your case, our law firm is ready and able to look over the details and keep you informed of any possible actions going forward.
Common Causes for Motorcycle Accidents in Irvine
Motorcycle accidents in Irvine, California are often avoidable and preventable. Usually, they happen as a result of someone’s mistake. A single choice or action can be enough to cause a dangerous or even fatal motorcycle accident. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding. Motorcycle accidents that are a result of driving above the posted speed limit are common. Riders may be rushing to their destinations or trying to navigate heavy traffic at excessive speeds, resulting in collisions.
- Alcohol use. These kinds of accidents usually happen in near proximity to bars or areas with significant nightlife or during late hours on weekends.
- Distracted driving. Driving while distracted can cause a high chance of a resulting accident. Distracted driving often includes texting while driving or otherwise operating a cell phone or trying to use the radio.
- Road conditions. Chances for motorcycle accidents can increase in rainy conditions or in areas prone to flooding as tire traction is decreased on slippery and wet roads.
- Road hazards. When an individual speeds, it interferes with their ability to notice certain road hazards like debris, potholes, oil spills, or loose gravel.
- Disregarding helmet requirement. Though helmets are required, motorcyclists can disregard them. An accident when someone is not wearing a helmet is often more fatal and causes serious traumatic injury.
- Driving into oncoming traffic. It is common knowledge that drivers should remain in their own lanes. When this does not happen, and individuals swerve into oncoming traffic, head-on collisions can occur, resulting in horrific injury and even death.
All of these causes can result in left-turn accidents, single-vehicle collisions, rear-end collisions, or head-on collisions. It is essential that you or a loved one, with the help of an Irvine motorcycle accident lawyer, determine the cause of your accident before you file your claim.
What to Do if You’ve Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
Finding yourself in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be a harrowing experience. If you are physically capable, however, it is prudent to follow certain steps immediately following the accident while you are at the scene to protect your legal rights. If possible, take these steps after a motorcycle accident:
- Limit movement. Sudden movement may worsen injuries you’ve already sustained, especially if you’re suffering from a spinal, neck, or head injury. If you can, move to a safe place off the roadway and then limit all movements until help arrives.
- Call 911. Even if the crash appears minor, all accidents need to be reported in Irvine. The police will then come to the scene, along with the necessary medical professionals, to document the scene and create a report. Make sure to ask them for your report number before they leave.
- Exchange information. If there are other parties involved, make sure to exchange names, all contact information, driver’s license information, and insurance information. Additionally, if there are eyewitnesses to the accident or passengers in any vehicle, gather their contact information as well.
- Collect evidence. If you are physically capable, take photographs of all the vehicles involved and the scene as a whole. It is also wise to take photographs of your injuries.
- Notify your insurance company. Report the motorcycle accident to your insurance company. Do not admit to any fault or offer a statement that they can record.
Remember to never accept a settlement offer upfront. The insurance companies involved will most likely underestimate the losses involved and offer insufficient amounts of compensation. Instead, find an experienced personal injury attorney like the ones at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates so you can focus on healing while we handle the negotiations.
FAQs
Q: How Much Are Most Motorcycle Accident Settlements?
A: It is difficult to estimate the exact amount one can expect to receive in a motorcycle accident due to the fact that there can be a litany of factors that may affect the value. These factors can include the severity of injuries sustained, the value of the property damaged, who is at fault, and if the rider lost wages due to the injuries they suffered.
Q: Who Can Be Held Liable in an Irvine Motorcycle Accident?
A: There are several parties who may be held liable in an Irvine motorcycle accident, depending on the circumstances of the accident. These parties include other motorists on the roadways, the manufacturers of any components on the bike itself, and government entities who are responsible for necessary road maintenance and whose negligence could lead to road hazards like potholes or inadequate road signage.
Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Motorcycle Accident in California?
A: The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim for a motorcycle accident is two years from when the injury occurred. However, if the injury was not discovered right away, the victim has one year to file their claim from the date they discovered their injury. These limits are applicable to all cases of personal injury where another party or parties are held liable.
Q: What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Motorcycle Accident?
A: Damages that can be recovered in most motorcycle accidents in California are highly dependent on the circumstances of the accident. But the most common kinds of damages available include property damage, lost wages, expenses for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of earning ability.
Contact a Trusted Irvine Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you know has suffered injury or property damage due to a motorcycle accident in Irvine, it’s time for you to seek out the legal counsel and representation of a trusted motorcycle accident lawyer. At Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates, we are ready and able to assist you through this often complicated process and build a solid case necessary to stand if your claim goes to trial.
Contact our offices today and schedule a free consultation to see how our services may work for you. Our team is here to answer any and all of your questions and help you determine the correct course of action for your personal injury claim. The good news is that you don’t have to do this alone.
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