If you sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident someone else caused, do not hesitate to contact the Bakersfield personal injury attorneys of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers to represent you in your case. You might be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and resulting medical bills.
Many people ride their motorcycles every day. Some take the bike out for a leisurely ride, while others use it as their primary mode of transportation. Either way, motorcycles can be dangerous. The rider is at risk of severe injury or death during a collision with other vehicles. Without an airbag, seatbelt, or other safety devices, motorcyclists have nothing to protect them during an accident.
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers know the devastation of getting hurt in a crash that isn’t your fault. You face a difficult recovery and expensive medical bills. The at-fault party should be liable for the harm they caused. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Bakersfield, CA, are ready to help you fight for the justice you deserve.
For a free consultation to learn more about your legal options, call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (619) 233-5020 today.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
A range of scenarios can result in an accident involving a motorcycle. The most common types of motorcycle accidents include:
- Left-turn accidents – Any driver about to turn left should check for oncoming traffic before proceeding unless they have the right of way. Turning without looking first could place the driver in the path of an approaching motorcyclist.
- Dooring – A dooring accident happens when someone parks their vehicle and opens their door without looking for anyone headed in their direction. A motorcyclist could crash into a car door that opens directly into their path.
- Rear-end collisions – A driver could crash into the back of a rider if they’re tailgating. The motorcyclist might have to stop or slow down suddenly, giving the driver little time to brake and avoid a collision.
- Lane splitting – Lane splitting involves a motorcyclist riding between lanes of vehicles heading in the same direction. Although lane splitting is convenient for the rider, an inattentive driver could switch lanes without checking their blind spots and sideswipe the motorcyclist.
- T-bone accidents – Many T-bone accidents result when someone doesn’t yield the right of way. A driver might not stop at a four-way stop and then crash into the side of a motorcyclist already in the intersection.
- Head-on collisions – Motorcycle riders can sustain debilitating or life-threatening injuries in head-on accidents with cars and trucks. A wreck of this type has the potential to be fatal for the motorcyclist, especially if the crash happens at high speed.
You should not wait to pursue action against the negligent party responsible for the accident. The Bakersfield motorcycle accident lawyers of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers can investigate to determine fault and gather the available evidence to prove you are entitled to compensation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Some drivers don’t pay attention to motorcyclists. Motorcycles are harder to see on the road, especially in a car’s blind spots. Additionally, many people don’t know traffic laws or what they’re supposed to do when encountering a rider.
The most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Driving under the influence – If someone consumes alcohol or takes drugs before getting behind the wheel of their car, they won’t have full control of their faculties. Alcohol and drugs significantly impair a person’s driving abilities.
- Fatigued driving – Fatigued driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Feeling tired negatively affects reaction time, awareness, and decision-making.
- Speeding – Exceeding the speed limit doesn’t give a driver enough time to react to dangerous conditions and slow down or stop. Speeding near a motorcyclist can lead to a catastrophic accident if the driver loses control of the car.
- Defective parts – The parts in any vehicle require routine maintenance to stay in good working condition. Defective parts can cause a car to malfunction and the driver to lose control and crash into a nearby motorcycle rider.
- Distracted driving – Any activity that redirects a motorist’s eyes, hands, or attention from the task of driving is distracted driving. Drivers are unlikely to react quickly or notice what’s happening around them while eating, texting, or talking to a passenger.
- Tailgating – Tailgating happens when one person follows a vehicle ahead of them too closely. A tailgating driver might not be able to brake in time to avoid a collision if they’re too close to a motorcyclist in front of them.
Various factors can contribute to a motorcycle accident. If someone else’s actions are to blame for your injury, you should contact Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers so we can start working on your case. We will create a plan to hold the negligent driver accountable and try to resolve your case favorably.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
You could cross paths with a careless driver and get hurt in an accident despite the safety precautions you take. Motorcyclists often suffer severe injuries in collisions with other vehicles. The most common include:
- Road rash
- Loss of limb or amputation injury
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Significant scarring or disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Disability
Some motorcycle accidents are fatal for riders. Motorcyclists lack the protection of an airbag or enclosed vehicle, so the chance of death is higher. In 2020, 5,579 motorcyclists died in motor vehicle accidents. This number is an 11 percent increase from the year before.
Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Case
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers take on various types of motorcycle accident cases for our clients. Every case is unique and can result in different outcomes. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Bakersfield, CA, always take a personalized approach that accounts for the needs of the client. We will review the circumstances of the crash and determine how we should proceed with seeking compensation on your behalf.
State law requires every driver to buy and maintain auto insurance with liability coverage. You could file a claim with the at-fault driver’s liability insurance company and pursue a settlement. The compensation you receive could cover losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical expenses
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
You could also recover exemplary damages in a lawsuit against the negligent motorist or another party. However, you must show clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s malice, oppression, or fraud to receive this form of compensation.
If your loved one died in a motorcycle accident someone else caused, you could pursue action against the at-fault party in a wrongful death claim. Only specific individuals can file a lawsuit for wrongful death, including:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Child
- Grandchild
If the deceased has no surviving relatives in their line of descent, anyone entitled to their property by intestate succession could pursue a case. That could include a surviving parent or sibling.
Additionally, anyone dependent on the deceased at the time of their death could initiate a wrongful death lawsuit after a motorcycle accident. State law requires proof of financial dependence. Relatives entitled to pursue legal action include:
- Putative spouse
- Putative spouse’s children
- Parents
- Stepchildren
- Legal guardians if there are no surviving parents
The compensation you receive in a wrongful death lawsuit could cover losses, such as:
- Financial support the deceased would have provided to surviving family if they were still alive
- Loss of the deceased’s comfort, love, protection, care, moral support, companionship, affection, assistance, society, and protection
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of guidance provided by the deceased
- Lost value of household services the deceased would have provided
- Lost gifts or benefits family members could expect to receive if the accident victim survived
- Loss of enjoyment of intimacy by a spouse
Statute of Limitations in a Motorcycle Accident Case
The statute of limitations period is two years in California. That means you have two years from the accident date to file your lawsuit against the negligent party. Once two years pass, you could lose your right to pursue compensation in court if you don’t initiate your lawsuit in time.
However, you might be able to extend the statute if either circumstance below applies to your case:
- Legal disability – If you are under 18 or of unsound mind when the crash happens, the statute won’t begin to run until you turn 18 or gain mental competency.
- Out of state – If the defendant leaves the state temporarily, their absence will not count towards the two-year statute. The statute won’t start again until they return to the state.
Delaying or extending the statute of limitations can be a complicated process. You must file specific documents with the court. Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers can review your case and determine whether you qualify.
Contact Us
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers have represented injured clients in insurance claims and court since 2007. We have the resources to handle the most complex cases. Whether your injury is minor or severe, you can count on our legal team to fight hard for you. We will be your advocate and protect your rights until the end.
Our Bakersfield motorcycle accident lawyers understand the financial strain of treating an injury while pursuing legal action. We take cases on contingency, so you’re not responsible for upfront fees or costs. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident in Bakersfield due to someone’s negligent actions, call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (619) 233-5020 for your free consultation. Let us help you hold the negligent party liable and recover the compensation you deserve.
