Santa Ana Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Santa Ana Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Any kind of vehicle collision can be a horrifying and distressing event. Because motorcycle riders are more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident, the results can be considerably more severe. A Santa Ana motorcycle accident attorney can assist you if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident and are attempting to handle the aftermath.

Why Choose Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates?

We at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates have experience with a wide range of accident-related situations, including motorcycle accidents. We can take care of the entire legal process on your behalf, including obtaining pertinent evidence, researching your case, settling disputes with insurance providers, negotiating settlements, and representing you in court.

Our aim is to make sure you get just compensation for the losses you sustained as a result of the accident. We can offer you the assistance you require to successfully negotiate the legal system at this challenging time.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Because they lack the safety of an enclosed vehicle and the support of airbags to lessen the force of an accident, motorcyclists are inherently more vulnerable to major collisions than other drivers. Motorcycles are also significantly smaller than the majority of other cars on the road. Nevertheless, there are other reasons why motorbike accidents occur. Among the most typical are:

• Head-on collisions. Head-on collisions account for the majority of motorcycle incidents involving one or more other vehicles. Rear-ending motorcycle riders are less common. Sadly, this is the riskiest kind of collision that a motorcycle rider can experience.
• Left-handed turns by another vehicle. Cars making left turns are one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. Crossroads are often the scene of accidents due to a variety of factors, including drivers being distracted, misjudging the motorbike’s speed and/or distance, speeding, or failing to notice the motorcycle at all.
• Hazards on the road. Motorcycles are more drastically affected by road hazards than other vehicles. Minor bumps in the road for a car may be catastrophic for a motorcycle. Examples of road hazards include puddles, freshly painted lines, tree limbs, debris, and railroad tracks.
• Crashes into fixed objects. When a motorcycle collides with something, the rider may suffer severe injuries, and the vehicle may sustain damage. A vehicle may occasionally hit a stationary obstacle, like a railing or tree, in order to avoid another obstruction, like a large plot of ice in the road or an abrupt stop in traffic.
• Rider error. There are times when the motorcyclist may be liable for the accident as a result of certain behaviors. Some of these actions include speeding, driving distracted (such as texting), driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, or running red lights.
• Lane splitting. Motorcycle riders who ride between two lanes, especially in slow or halted traffic, are said to be lane-splitting. Although this seems to be a standard procedure, there is a higher chance of an accident. If a car driver decides to change lanes, it is easy for them to overlook the motorcycle because they usually aren’t expecting to see one alongside them.

Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case

Depending on the specifics of your case, if you were in a motorcycle accident in Santa Ana, you might be eligible for compensation for the losses you sustained. Economic damages and non-economic damages are the two general categories into which damages are divided.

• Economic damages are those that can be easily determined through traceable financial losses. Examples include medical bills, lost wages, motorcycle repairs, property damage, and other related expenses, such as changes to a home needed to accommodate injuries, such as a wheelchair ramp.
• Non-economic damages are not as easily quantifiable as economic damages. In the event that the matter is tried, the court may decide on an overall settlement amount. You can get advice from an attorney regarding how much is appropriate for your situation. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, psychological effects, emotional trauma, PTSD, and loss of quality of life.

Punitive damages are damages intended to penalize the offender, usually for very egregious actions. Although they are rare, a person may be granted punitive damages.

How Much Will My Motorcycle Accident Claim Be Worth?

While it is difficult to determine how much a claim will be worth, there are some factors that will affect the settlement amount. Some of these include:

• How severe your injuries are
• How much evidence you have to support your claim
• Your level of fault in the accident
• How much insurance you have

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Prioritizing your safety and the safety of the other victims should be your first priority after a motorcycle accident. Dial 911 immediately if you need emergency medical treatment. After that, call the police. An officer will be sent to the scene, and they will consult with all relevant parties and provide a report. After an accident, a knowledgeable lawyer can assist you in gathering evidence.

Obtain pertinent evidence before submitting a claim, such as:

• All witnesses’ names and phone numbers
• Pictures of your injuries and the location of the accident
• Footage from any nearby security and traffic cameras
• Details about the insurance policies of every individual and car involved in the collision
• A copy of the police report, if one is available

Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim

In most motorcycle accidents, proving negligence will help establish liability. In order to protect other people from injury, drivers must drive with appropriate caution. Drivers who cause injuries to others by driving carelessly may be held accountable for the harm done as well as any associated costs.

A truck or other vehicle driver is frequently at fault in motorcycle accidents. Driving through a red light too quickly or turning without using your indicators are examples of negligence. In addition, reckless driving—such as lane splitting or ignoring stop signs—is often committed by motorcycle riders, and as a result, they may be held liable in these cases.

In order to convict someone of causing a motorbike accident, one must establish negligence. This entails proving that:

• The other driver had an obligation to drive carefully.
• The other driver did not exercise enough caution in the given situation.
• The claimant was injured as a result of the other driver’s negligence.
• The plaintiff experienced actual losses or injuries.

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident and you want to file a claim against the responsible party, you have a two-year statute of limitations to do so.

How a Motorcycle Attorney Can Help

Sometimes, an insurance adjuster will make a reasonable settlement offer following a motorcycle accident. In other cases, however, having legal representation is imperative.

While you may be comfortable handling your claim and trying to negotiate a reasonable settlement, you may benefit from having a lawyer. A knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney can be key if the insurance company contests a crucial point that could have an impact on your settlement.

A lawyer’s knowledge of the local court system and the entire legal process—from discovery to possible appeals—is crucial if you end up filing a claim and the case goes to court. The primary justification for hiring a lawyer is their knowledge of legal details, such as the statute of limitations and certain pleading needs, which guarantees that you’re ready and in compliance with all legal requirements.

FAQs

Q: How Much Are Most Motorcycle Accident Settlements?

A: Motorcycle accidents vary depending on the circumstances of the accident, so there is no average amount that can be calculated. Each case is unique and takes many factors into consideration when determining a settlement amount. Some of these factors include the severity of a person’s injuries, the extent of damages, and how it affected the victim’s life afterward.

Q: How Much Do Accident Attorneys Charge in California?

A: Each accident attorney bills differently in California. Some attorneys charge by the hour, and others may charge a flat fee. Often, the circumstances of the case will contribute to the cost. If the case is more extensive or complex, the attorney will likely spend more time on the case, and as a result, their services will cost more.

Q: Who Is Most Often at Fault in Motorcycle Car Crashes?

A: In motorcycle-car crashes, the driver of the car is most often at fault. Frequent causes include changing lanes without looking for blind spots, making left turns incorrectly, and failing to see the motorcyclist. On the other hand, motorcycle riders may also be at fault if they speed, split lanes, or disregard traffic signals. Determining fault is incident-specific and grounded in the concepts of negligence.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in California?

A: In California, you generally have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury claim. However, it is advisable to file a claim as soon as possible in order to allow for ample time to complete all legal obligations. To make sure you fulfill all legal deadlines, it’s crucial you speak with a Santa Ana personal injury lawyer.

Contact Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates Today

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, an attorney at Kenneth M. Sigelman & Associates can help you receive compensation for your damages. Contact us today to speak with a representative and get started.