Anaheim Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Anaheim Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Because of their lack of physical protection, accidents for motorcyclists tend to be more severe than regular car crashes—the effects tend to be devastating for survivors. If you or someone you love has been involved in such a crash, working with an Anaheim motorcycle accident lawyer is important to protect your legal rights.

Choose an Experienced Personal Injury Law Firm in California

Since 2012, Corrales Law Group has helped California residents recover from their most difficult moments in life. Our team understands how destabilizing a crash can be and is here to help support you throughout the entirety of your case. We pride ourselves on our empathetic approach, and work based on the idea that every person deserves competent legal care.

Our attorneys offer free consultations to residents of Anaheim and surrounding cities. We offer free in-home consultations to those living with an injury, as well as bilingual services for those who speak Spanish.

You shouldn’t have to go through your case alone. During your consultation, you’ll be able to describe your situation in detail and let our attorneys know your desires for the outcome of your case. From there, we’ll work tirelessly to ensure the most favorable outcome.

Steps to Take After Being Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

As of 2022, California had an estimated 802,500 motorcycles registered within the state. With scenic views and easy access, Anaheim’s residents use major highways I-5, CA-91, and CA-22 for daily commuting. However, because of major tourism and population size, accidents are frequent.

In 2021 alone, Anaheim had 2,084 victims of accidents, both injured and those who passed away. 62 accidents involved motorcycles. For those involved in a motorcycle accident, knowing what steps to take afterward is key to protecting your safety and legal rights.

First, call 911 to seek immediate medical attention. Even if you feel fine, motorcycle accidents can have devastating injuries that you may be unaware of. Internal bleeding and concussions can take a while to present symptoms, and the longer you wait, the worse your condition can become.

Be sure to take extensive photos and videos of:

• The crash site, including any property damage and skid marks
• Any visible injuries you may have
• Damage to your vehicle and other personal belongings, like a bag or cell phone

You’ll then need to collect the contact information of all parties involved in the crash. Get their insurance information, too. You’ll also want to collect the contact information of any witnesses who saw the crash happen.

After getting medical attention, be sure to get a copy of your medical records and a copy of the incident report filed by law enforcement after the crash.

How to Navigate Insurance After a Crash

You’ll want to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to represent your case. When speaking with insurance companies, they’ll be looking for you to misspeak. These companies are not on your side and will do anything they can to avoid paying.

While you can give an insurance company general basic facts about the crash, don’t speculate about the cause of the crash or admit any fault in what happened.

If an insurance company asks you to give a recorded statement or answer questions under oath, don’t do it without your lawyer present.

California Motorcycle Accident Laws

In California, courts will assign everyone involved in a crash a percentage of fault. Courts understand that there’s usually never a blameless victim, and that even simple mistakes can contribute to a crash.

Luckily, you can file a legal court claim to pursue compensation, even if you’re ultimately found to be 99% at fault for the crash and resulting injuries. Other states tend to be stricter and only allow compensation if the filing party is found to be less than 50% at fault.

To determine fault, courts look at the evidence provided in the case. Using this, they’ll assign everyone involved a percentage of fault. When the court awards your settlement, the final settlement amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example:

• If you were speeding on your motorcycle at the time of the accident, you may be found 40% at fault for the crash.
• If a person driving in their car ran a stop sign and hit you, they may be found to be 60% at fault.
• If you’re awarded a $100,000 settlement, it will be reduced by 40%, and your final settlement would be $60,000.

While still substantial, your losses after the crash may be great. Your lawyer will be able to factor in your estimated percentage of fault when filing a compensation request with the court.

Types of Damages Recoverable in a Motorcycle Case

At Corrales Law Group, we’ve been able to use our years of experience to help win hundreds of cases for our clients. Depending on the specifics of your case, the final settlement amount will vary widely.

Recently, we’ve been able to secure $250,000 for a client whose motorcycle was sideswiped during a crash. Settlements of any amount can be life-changing for clients and help make their lives easier to manage.

The settlement amount awarded in crash cases is never random, but instead calculated based on the victim’s monetary and emotional losses after the crash happened. There are two main types of damages a person can seek after an accident:

1. Economic damages. These damages are generally easy to calculate, as they’re based on the monetary losses after a crash. It can include any initial and ongoing medical bills, medication, rehabilitation services, loss of income due to ongoing injuries, and property damages to your vehicle and personal belongings.
2. Non-economic damages. These damages are harder to quantify, as they’re based on subjective losses. Pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life are examples of these damages.

A third type, called punitive damages, may be awarded case-by-case. These damages are given when the guilty party acted with extreme malice or carelessness, such as extreme drunk driving. Courts will award these damages to the victim in order to further punish the guilty party and deter similar behavior in the future.

FAQs

Q: What Do I Do if the Other Driver Won’t Share Their Information With Me?

A: If the other driver refuses to share their information with you, it’s important to stay calm. Trying to argue with them will escalate things and will only hurt your legal case. Wait for the police to arrive. Explain the situation to them, and they’ll be able to collect the driver’s information on your behalf. If the driver tries to leave before the police come, be sure to write down their license plate number and the make and model of their car.

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

A: In California, you have two years to file a legal claim after getting into a motorcycle accident. While this timeline may seem long, it’s essential to act quickly after a crash happens. Evidence tends to fade quickly, such as the crash site being cleaned or witness memories changing as time goes on. The longer you wait, the more your monetary losses will stack up. If you miss the deadline, courts will dismiss your case and bar you from pursuing compensation.

Q: What Kind of Evidence Proves Fault in a Motorcycle Accident Case?

A: Having extensive evidence in a motorcycle accident case is key to winning. Courts rely on proof to make their decisions. Personal photos and videos, along with dashcam, traffic camera, and surveillance footage, can add to your claim. Eyewitness statements and professional opinions on what caused the crash can help. Be sure to include copies of all official documents, like the incident report and all of your medical records.

Q: Do I Have to Wear a Helmet on a Motorcycle in California?

A: In California, everyone who rides a motorcycle has to wear a proper safety helmet. Both the driver and any passenger must have helmets that meet official safety standards. The helmet must fit securely on your head and be fastened with straps. This rule applies to anyone riding on public highways. If you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, it will likely negatively affect your legal case and result in less compensation.

Q: Is Lane Splitting Legal in California?

A: California allows motorcyclists to lane split. Lane splitting is when a motorcycle with two wheels rides between rows of stopped or moving vehicles traveling in the same direction. This can happen on any type of street or highway, whether it’s divided or not. This law took effect on January 1, 2017. While legal, lane splitting tends to be highly dangerous and should be done with extreme caution.

Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer That You Can Trust

When you work with the Corrales Law Group, you’re working with California residents who actually care about our neighbors. Contact our office in Orange today to set up your first appointment. Sibling attorneys Peter and Janice operate under the idea that everyone, no matter how vulnerable, deserves access to excellent legal services. We’re proud to provide such service to our clients.

Our team offers free consultations to new clients and free in-home consultations to those living with a disability.