Motorcycle accidents can be life-changing for victims. Present and future medical costs and lost wages, plus the pain and suffering caused by an accident, can be extremely overwhelming. That’s why Steinger, Greene & Feiner is here to protect the rights of motorcyclists on the roads. Our Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers will identify negligent drivers, hold them accountable, and negotiate with insurance companies to recover maximum compensation for your losses.
Why Choose a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, you need a lawyer who understands the particular risks and vulnerabilities that motorcyclists face when sharing the road with other motorists. Your lawyer also needs to be highly familiar with the California laws that can impact your case, like lane splitting and helmet laws, to properly advocate for your rights.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our attorneys have handled countless motorcycle accident cases, bringing them to trial if necessary. We know how California laws can affect your claim, but we will fight to hold all at-fault parties accountable for their reckless or negligent behavior and negotiate with insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles
Usually, the driver of a car is at fault for a motorcycle accident because of distracted driving, speeding, or something else. Motorists making left-hand turns in front of motorcycles is the most common cause of motorcycle accidents, and striking motorcyclists while changing lanes is the second most common cause.
Here are other common scenarios in which motorcycle accidents occur:
- Lane-splitting
- Lane changes
- Excessive speeding
- Potholes
- Failure to yield
- Head-on accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Intersection accident
- Left-turn accident
- Merging collision
- Multi-vehicle accident
- Rear-end collision
- Side-impact or T-bone collision
The Legal Process for Motorcycle Accident Claims
In some cases, it may be necessary to file suit right away, but most claims are resolved outside of court, and your lawyer will use all means at their disposal to settle outside of court before filing a lawsuit.
After you’ve retained a lawyer, they will:
- Order the traffic collision report and the insurance companies that they are representing you
- Send preservation of evidence letters to the other driver to preserve all vehicle data from recording devices and videos
- Investigate the accident site, obtain evidence like surveillance footage, and interview witnesses
- Consult with experts like accident reconstructionists
- Ensure you receive proper medical treatment and obtain all medical records
- Obtain work-related documents to show lost wages
- Send a demand, including all evidence and documents, to the insurance company to begin negotiations
- Bring your case to court if it cannot be resolved with the insurance company
You have two years to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit for personal injury and three years for property damage, according to California law. You can start by filing a claim through insurance, but a formal legal claim must be filed by the deadline. Even if you have a case pending with insurance, this does not stop the time limit to file a legal claim.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles will protect your interests in the immediate aftermath of the accident and beyond. They will let you know every step you should take after your accident and during negotiations with insurance companies to get the best outcome for your case. They will also help get the medical care you need and focus on your recovery.
One of the most important reasons to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident is to protect you from the unfair practices of insurance companies. Insurance companies may contact injured motorcyclists early on after the accident, trying to place blame on the victim and pressure them into accepting low-ball settlement offers. They will record conversations with you and try to get you to say something incriminating. When you have a lawyer by your side, they will handle all negotiations with insurance companies, advocate for you, and present all the relevant evidence to secure a fair settlement offer.
Additionally, when you contact an attorney, they will quickly begin collecting and preserving evidence that is essential to your case, like photos of injuries and the accident scene, witness testimony, police reports, etc.
Overall, your motorcycle accident lawyer will:
- Inform you of all your rights and legal options, as well as how a personal injury claim works
- Collect all documentary evidence, including police reports, medical records and bills, wage loss records, etc.
- Determine all available coverage from your insurance company
- Collect witness statements and other material evidence like photos and videos
- Determine the amount, if any, that your health insurance policy or welfare benefit plan may require in repayment of money spent to pay the bills
- Handle all communications with the insurance adjuster to ensure your best interests are preserved
- Negotiate a fair settlement deal with the insurance company
- File a lawsuit, if necessary
- Analyze the jury’s verdict to determine whether an appeal is viable and necessary
Understanding Comparative Negligence in California
According to California law, all motorcyclists must wear a federally-approved helmet. If you fail to wear a helmet, you may be subject to the legal concept of comparative negligence. This concept means that the defendant or at-fault driver can use your failure to wear a helmet as a defense for the accident and find you partially responsible.
In some states, if you are found 50% or more at fault for the accident, you cannot collect any compensation. However, in California, you can recover damages even if you are found to be over 50% responsible. For example, if you are found 55% at fault, you can still recover 45% of the case value.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims
After a California motorcycle accident, you can claim both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are monetary losses that can be easily quantified, and non-economic damages are losses that are intangible and more difficult to value in monetary terms.
Damages you can claim include, but are not limited to:
- Emergency and urgent care
- Tests, procedures, examinations, and patient stabilization
- Nursing care, residential care, hospitalization, in-home assistance
- Medications
- Physical and occupational therapy and treatment for mental injuries
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional suffering
- Scars, disability, and disfigurement
You can collect the full amount of your economic losses and a fair value for your non-economic losses that your attorney will help calculate. California law does not place any limits on compensation for motorcycle accident victims.
Motorcycle Safety & Accident Prevention
While you cannot completely avoid the risk of a motorcycle accident, you can take action before and during your ride to protect your safety as a motorcyclist.
Prepare to ride safely:
- Wear a helmet that is certified by the Department of Transportation: Non-DOT helmets do not adequately protect you from brain injuries, and failure to wear an approved helmet can reduce your recovery in an accident claim. If you wear a proper helmet, you are three times more likely to survive a head injury.
- Wear face and eye protection: In most states, eye protection is required unless your motorcycle has a protective windscreen.
- Wear protective clothing: Wear leather or Kevlar, an armor that protects the entire body, as well as motorcycle gloves.
- Wear appropriate footwear: Steel-toed boots that come up over your ankle are ideal. The heels should be short so they don’t catch on rough surfaces. Be sure to tuck in your laces so they don’t catch on your motorcycle.
- Know your motorcycle: Ride a properly sized bike where your feet reach the ground while you’re seated. Each time you’re going to ride, check each of the following:
- Tires for sufficient tread and air
- Headlight, tail light, brake light, turn signals, horn, and mirrors
- Oil and fluid levels
- Battery condition
- Chain/belt and kick-stand condition
- Carry emergency supplies:
- Jumper cables
- Mini battery charger
- BAM card for when you are riding alone
- Accident checklist, pen, and camera
Ride safely:
- Ride defensively
- Ride to your abilities—avoid freeway and canyon riding until you’re experienced enough to do so, and avoid riding in inclement weather
- Be visible with the proper gear and a working headlight
- Communicate your intentions with proper signals, brake light, horn, and lane position—never pass a slow-moving vehicle without signaling with your horn
- Maintain an adequate space cushion
- Identify and avoid hazards like erratic drivers, potholes and road erosion, roads slick from rain or ice, wet leaves and other debris, etc.
Choosing the Right Attorney for Your Case
When selecting an attorney after a motorcycle accident, it’s vital to choose one with a proven track record. This means recovering fair settlements for clients and winning cases. It also means holding expertise in motorcycle accident claims and relevant California laws.
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our experienced attorneys are experts in handling motorcycle accident cases, and we’ve secured maximum payouts for our clients. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that you don’t pay until we win your case. We’re committed to getting you the compensation you deserve so you can focus on your recovery.
Client Testimonials
Our former clients reported complete satisfaction with how we’ve handled their cases. Hear why Steinger, Greene & Feiner is the #1 personal injury attorney in Los Angeles.
Client Testimonials
1645 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard #900, West Palm Beach
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I hired them around 5 months ago, and I do not regret it at all. They are super responsive, communicative, and trustworthy. I will hired them again without hesitation. I really appreciate what attorney Michael E Glazer and his paralegal … More Lillian Perez did in my case -
I was very pleased with my Attorney. He was very attentive to my case and made sure that I understood what was going on every step of the way. If I had any questions he always answered them and made sure that I understood everything. I … More would highly recommend him to anyone that is in need of an attorney.
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I highly recommend JEREMY LARA at Steinger, Greene, and Feiner at the San Antonio, TX office. After being told by another law firm that I had no case and feeling disheartened, I turned to Steinger, Greene, and Feiner for a second opinion. … More From the very beginning, Mr. Lara was professional, compassionate, and dedicated to seeking justice on my behalf.I not only won my case but also received a settlement that exceeded my expectations. I am incredibly grateful for their exceptional legal representation and would highly recommend them to anyone seeking outstanding legal services.Thank you, Steinger, Greene, and Feiner for your professionalism, expertise, and outstanding results!L. Garza Family
Talk With a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer. Motorcycle accidents can cause devastating, long-lasting injuries that cause mounting bills and lost wages. The attorneys at Steinger, Greene & Feiner are ready to fight for your rights as a motorcyclist and get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation case consultation today.