Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Injured in a motorcycle accident in Long Beach? Golden Gate Legal's experienced attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be incredibly tough, leaving you to deal with physical injuries and emotional distress. If you're seeking legal representation in the Long Beach area, our team is here to help, so please contact us at the number below.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have extensive experience handling motorcycle accident cases and fighting for the rights of injured riders in Long Beach. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the immediate steps to take after a crash, provide an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Long Beach
After a motorcycle accident in Long Beach, it's important to follow these key steps to protect your health and your rights:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your immediate priority is to check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries. If it is safe to do so, move your vehicle out of the busy Long Beach traffic to a secure area to prevent further danger.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
Your first priority is safety, so call 911 immediately if there are any injuries or significant property damage. Even if you feel uninjured, it is essential to get a medical evaluation, as many serious injuries may not show symptoms until later.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are able, take photos of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved, your injuries, and the road conditions. Be sure to also collect contact information from any witnesses and exchange driver, insurance, and vehicle details with the other party.
Don’t Admit Fault, Post Online, or Sign Anything
After an accident, be mindful not to say anything that could be taken as admitting fault, no matter how minor it seems. It's also best to avoid discussing the crash on social media and to not sign any documents or speak with insurance representatives until you've consulted with a lawyer.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
After a motorcycle accident in Long Beach, reaching out to Golden Gate Legal is a crucial step to ensure your legal rights are defended against insurance companies. Our dedicated attorneys will navigate you through every stage of your personal injury claim, focusing on securing the compensation you deserve with compassion and expertise.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
With years of dedicated experience handling motorcycle accident cases and other personal injury claims, Golden Gate Legal is ready to assist victims in Long Beach. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us to represent you:
- We Will Get You Max Compensation: We are committed to ensuring you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to for your injuries and losses.
- We Will Protect you at All Costs: Our top priority is to protect your rights and interests, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal complexities.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You won't pay any legal fees unless we win or settle your case, so you can access expert legal help without financial risk.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is always available to answer your questions and provide support from the beginning to the end of your case.
For more insight into how we help our clients, we encourage you to read our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
If you've been injured in a Long Beach accident, we'll handle every step of the legal process so you can focus on your recovery:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We'll start with a free, no-obligation meeting where we listen to the details of your accident, address your concerns, and evaluate the merits of your potential claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will meticulously collect all necessary evidence, including police reports, your medical records, and witness accounts, before officially filing your claim and dealing with the insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: As you concentrate on your recovery, we can assist in coordinating your medical care and will keep track of your progress to build a strong case that accurately represents the extent of your injuries.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you have finished your medical treatment, we will send a comprehensive demand package to the insurer and aggressively negotiate to secure the highest possible settlement for you.
- Litigation (if necessary): Should the insurance company refuse to offer a fair settlement, our experienced trial attorneys are ready to file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
- You Get Paid: Once we resolve your case, we will manage all the final paperwork to make sure you get your settlement funds as promptly as possible.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim After a Motorcycle Accident?
In California, if you've been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else's negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for the harm you've suffered. Compensatory damages for motorcycle accidents in California may include the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Vehicle repair
- Future medical care and treatment
- Pain and suffering
Insurance companies often try to undervalue your claim to protect their profits, making it essential to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like the team at Golden Gate Legal fighting for the full compensation you deserve.
Types of Injuries Handled
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are the types of injuries we typically handle:
Road Rash
Road rash describes the painful skin abrasions from sliding across the pavement in a crash, which can result in serious complications like infection, permanent scarring, and nerve damage.
Broken Bones & Fractures
Broken bones are a frequent consequence of motorcycle accidents, often requiring surgical procedures, immobilization with a cast, and a lengthy healing period that can result in chronic pain or permanent mobility problems.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The powerful force of a motorcycle crash can cause devastating spinal cord damage, leading to a loss of sensation and mobility that fundamentally alters a person's independence and future.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries from a motorcycle crash can lead to lasting problems such as difficulty concentrating, shifts in personality, memory issues, and general disorientation.
Foot and Leg Injuries
In a motorcycle accident, the legs and feet often bear the brunt of the impact, which can lead to serious harm like shattered bones, dislocated joints, and deep gashes.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional toll can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with symptoms like flashbacks, severe anxiety, and depression, frequently requiring professional treatment.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Navigating the streets of Long Beach on a motorcycle can be risky, and several common factors often lead to accidents:
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Speeding leaves drivers with less time to react to unexpected dangers and greatly increases the chances of a severe, high-impact collision.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs results in slower response times, clouded judgment, and a significantly increased chance of causing a deadly crash.
Running Red Lights
Blowing through a red light can lead to devastating collisions at intersections and put people on foot in serious danger.
Rear-End Collisions
Often resulting from distracted driving or following another vehicle too closely, these types of crashes can cause painful injuries like whiplash and damage to the spine.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Cutting someone off or changing lanes without checking a blind spot can cause a serious sideswipe or force other drivers to slam on their brakes.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting, where a motorcycle rides between lanes of slow or stopped traffic, is a risky maneuver that often leads to accidents because other drivers simply aren't expecting a vehicle to be there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our clients in Long Beach, Golden Gate Legal requires no upfront payment for personal injury claims. Our firm only gets paid if we win your case, which means there is no financial risk for you.
How do I prove the other driver was at fault?
Proving the other driver was at fault for an accident involves a few key steps and usually requires a detailed investigation into the specifics of your case. If you believe the other driver was responsible for the crash, our team can help you demonstrate their liability.
However, it is important to know that if you are found to be partially at fault, your compensation can be reduced according to your share of the responsibility. Understanding this is essential for accurately calculating the compensation you might receive, particularly in a city like Long Beach where traffic can be complicated.
How long do I have to take legal action after my accident?
In California, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting longer than this period means you will likely lose your legal right to recover any compensation for your losses.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you file a claim, the insurance company has 15 days to respond and begin their investigation. After you've provided all the necessary documents, they have another 40 days to make a decision on whether to approve or deny your claim.
If your claim is accepted, the insurer must send your payment within 30 days of that decision. According to California's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the entire process from start to finish should generally take no more than 85 days.
How long does a motorcycle accident stay on your record in California?
If you're involved in a motorcycle accident in Long Beach, the incident will typically stay on your California driving record for three years, beginning on the date of the crash. This period can be longer, extending up to ten years, for more severe accidents, such as those involving a commercial vehicle or hazardous substances.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
At Golden Gate Legal, our first step is to listen to your story. For our clients in Long Beach, we want to understand exactly what happened so you feel heard and supported from day one. We will also evaluate the full extent of your injuries and can connect you with the right medical specialists to ensure you receive proper care.
Your main job is to focus on healing; our job is to handle the legal fight. We will manage the entire legal process to win the financial recovery you are entitled to, pursuing compensation for your pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact on your life.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for legal support
Golden Gate Legal has helped countless personal injury victims get back on their feet. Let’s do the same for you.
Call us now at (310) 445-3425 or click below for your free consultation.
Protecting your rights when you need it most
We believe in doing what’s right: you focus on your recovery, and we’ll handle the legal process from start to finish.
Fighting for your full compensation
We are available at all times
No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
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When dealing with the aftermath of an accident, you need strong support by your side to help you make the right decisions.
