Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Many residents of Southern California enjoy motorcycling, taking advantage of the wonderful California weather. Motorcycles are also a very popular hobby. Despite being an enjoyable means of conveyance, however, motorcycles are also inherently more dangerous than most other types of vehicles, and riders must understand the risks associated with motorcycles.

While there are several ways riders can protect themselves and prevent accidents, it is still important for motorcyclists to know what to do after a motorcycle accident. Reach out to one of our qualified Long Beach motorcycle accident attorneys at Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP if you were injured in a motorcycle crash caused by the negligence of another party. Our Long Beach accident firm has a track record of winning favorable settlements and verdicts for injured victims.

How Will an Attorney from Harting, Simkins, & Ryan Help a Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Case?

Long Beach personal injury attorneys A motorcycle accident case can become incredibly complex, particularly when dealing with aggressive insurance carriers. A skilled Long Beach injury attorney from Harting, Simkins, & Ryan will be an invaluable resource for an injured victim. Most motorcycle accident victims do not have the resources or legal experience necessary to pursue the compensation they deserve.

Our founding attorneys, Richard Harting and Gary Simkins, will be responsible for handling every aspect of the accident claim, which includes:

Obtaining all evidence necessary to prove liability (photo and video surveillance available, eyewitness statements, accident reports, and more).
Working with trusted medical professionals to ensure your injuries are properly evaluated and to help calculate your total expenses.
Handling communications with all parties involved, including insurance carriers, and negotiating a settlement that covers all of your motorcycle accident-related expenses.

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Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

Victims injured in a motorcycle accident are often left struggling financially while they work to secure compensation for the incident. That is why, at Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP, we take Long Beach motorcycle collision cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we charge no upfront or out-of-pocket costs to our clients for their case. We only collect legal fees after we secure a favorable settlement or verdict on behalf of the client.

What Compensation Could I Recover for My Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Long Beach?

If you have been injured in an accident, you may be owed compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Determining the compensation owed in a motorcycle accident can be complex, but an experienced Long Beach motorcycle accident attorney can help.

Economic damages are verifiable monetary losses that can be calculated. This includes:

Medical bills
Vehicle damage
Future medical costs
Rehab or physical therapy
Lost income

Motorcycle accident victims can also recover non-economic damages. Non-economic damages are harder to calculate because they are non-monetary losses. These include:

Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium
Loss of enjoyment of life

In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the defendant acted egregiously or recklessly to punish them.

The Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyers at Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP can provide legal help and assist you in beginning the process of determining exactly what your damages are and how much you may expect in compensation.

Can I Be Compensated if I was Partly At-Fault for a Motorcycle Wreck in Long Beach, CA?

Yes, if there is shared fault in an accident in Long Beach, you can still recover compensation. California law uses a system of comparative fault. This means that the insurance company or a judge or jury will determine the degree to which each party was at fault in an accident.

If your motorcycle was sideswiped in an accident, it may be determined by the insurance company that the other party was 90% at fault, but your excessive speed contributed 10% to the accident. In such a case, if total damages were found to be $100,000, your compensation would be reduced by the 10% you were found to have contributed to the accident, and so you would only receive $90,000.

How Long Do I Have to File a Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Each state is responsible for setting time limits for victims of traffic accidents to file a civil lawsuit against an at-fault party. These time limits are called the statute of limitations, and they also affect injured motorcyclists.

In California, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident cases is two years. This means that victims injured in a motorcycle accident have two years from the date the accident occurs to file a civil personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for their expenses. Any case filed after this two-year time limit will be dismissed, and the victim will lose the ability to obtain compensation for their losses.

Will a Motorcycle Accident Case Go to Court in California?

The vast majority of Long Beach motorcycle and car accident cases are settled out of court. Typically, these cases are resolved through negotiations with the insurance carriers of the parties involved. However, if the insurance carrier of the at-fault party refuses to offer a fair settlement, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit with the court. Even cases that result in lawsuits are usually settled before the case goes all the way to trial.

However, the team at Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP has no problem taking a case to trial if that is what is necessary to secure full compensation for their clients.

California Motorcycle Laws

California has some of the most innovative laws in the country for motorcyclists. Failing to understand those laws can have serious consequences if you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Long Beach.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws

California is one of only 19 states that have a universal helmet law. This law makes it illegal to operate a motorcycle without wearing a helmet, or while any passenger is not wearing a helmet. Helmets must have passed state-approved tests, fit properly, and be strapped to the head securely.

Should you be involved in a motorcycle crash as a rider or passenger while not wearing a helmet, California’s rules will find that you are partly responsible for your injuries, which will reduce your compensation.

Lane Splitting Rules

In California, it is legal for motorcyclists to ride between vehicles or lane-split. However, it should be noted that while lane splitting is legal, it must be done in a safe manner. Motorcyclists should not travel more than 30 mph, or 10 mph faster than the surrounding traffic.

Navigating California’s motorcycle laws and handling insurance companies after a crash can be difficult. The Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyers at Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP can help you understand what your options are and what compensation you may be entitled to after an accident.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Long Beach, CA

Although operating a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car, motorcycles are not involved in more accidents than cars. But when a motorcycle is in an accident, it is more likely to result in serious injury. Learn the common causes of motorcycle accidents to help avoid them as you ride:

Cars making left turns are the most common cause of motorcycle accidents. These accidents, responsible for 42% of all accidents between a car and a motorcycle, commonly take place when the car is turning left and the motorcycle is going straight through the intersection from the other direction, or the motorcycle is passing the vehicle on the left as it turns. In almost all cases, this accident is the fault of the car driver. Hiring our Long Beach truck accident attorney can help you prove fault.
Speeding and alcohol abuse often go hand in hand and together cause almost half of motorcycle accidents. Alcohol reduces your ability to react quickly and contributes to many accidents. Additionally, alcohol degrades inhibitions and makes drivers more likely to operate their motorcycle too fast or recklessly.
Road hazards cause a great number of motorcycle accidents. Road debris such as chunks of truck tires on the road can cause a rider to lose control of the motorcycle. Dead animals, potholes, and road work can create conditions that make it difficult to control the bike.

While not every accident can be avoided, even by the safest riders, being aware of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents can help you be better prepared and operate your motorcycle safely.

How Can I Lower My Chances of Being Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

Any experienced rider knows that motorcycle riding is more dangerous than driving a car, and it is important to know safety tips as well as what to do after being in a motorcycle accident. Good motorcycle riders make safety a priority at all times. Avoid being in an accident by paying attention to these tips for motorcycle safety in Long Beach and Los Angeles County:

Always wear a helmet. The evidence is clear that motorcycle helmets save lives and protect from serious head injuries and brain damage. It’s not only the safe thing to do but the law. In California, both operators and passengers are required to wear a helmet at all times on a motorcycle.
Wear protective clothing. A face mask or eye protection is important to preventing accidents and saving your vision. Abrasion-resistant material can save you from months of rehab from road rash. Wear clothing that improves your visibility so other drivers are more likely to see you.
Drive the right speed for the conditions. Excessive speed is the number one cause of accidents. The right speed is more than just staying under posted speed limits. Rain and fog, poorly maintained roads, and traffic conditions may warrant slowing down to avoid motorcycle crashes and serious personal injury.
Never drink and ride. Almost half of all Long Beach motorcycle accidents involve speeding or alcohol use. Quick reactions are a necessity for operating a motorcycle safely, and alcohol inhibits your ability to react quickly. For safety’s sake and to obey the law, never drink and ride.
Get professional training. One of the best things you can do to prevent motorcycle accidents is to get training from a professional on the use of your motorcycle. These professionals know the common hazards of riding a bike and can give you the tips and techniques for ensuring that you reach the end of your ride safely.

The Long Beach drunk driving accident lawyers at Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP want you to be safe on your motorcycle at all times. If you are involved in a motorcycle crash in California with a drunk driver, a Long Beach motorcycle crash attorney at our firm can help get you the compensation you deserve and get you back on the road.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney Near Long Beach, CA

The Long Beach wrongful death lawyers at Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP want to help injured victims recover the compensation they deserve for the negligent acts of others. Our firm understands the unique challenges facing motorcyclists in the Southern California region and wants them to know we are ready to handle any type of motorcycle accident case.

Contact us for more information about California’s motorcycle laws, or let us know if you’d like to consult with one of our motorcycle accident lawyers in Long Beach, CA. To schedule your free initial legal consultation, call our office at (562) 981-1010 to schedule a free consultation.

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