Long Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Looking for a motorcycle accident attorney in Long Beach? Golden Gate Legal is here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be incredibly challenging, leaving you to deal with both physical injuries and emotional distress. If you are looking for legal representation in the Long Beach area, we encourage you to contact us at the number below.
Golden Gate Legal has extensive experience representing victims of motorcycle accidents in Long Beach, helping them navigate the complexities of their cases. This article will provide direction on what to do after an accident, give an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you may have.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Long Beach
After a motorcycle accident in Long Beach, it's important to follow these steps to protect your health and your rights:
Make Sure You're Safe
The first thing you should do is check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If it's safe and you're able to, move your vehicle out of the busy Long Beach traffic to a secure spot to prevent any further danger.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
If anyone is injured or the accident is serious, your first step should always be to call 911 for help. Even if you feel uninjured, it is crucial to get a medical evaluation, because the shock of an accident can mask injuries that need immediate attention.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are physically able, use your phone to take pictures of the vehicles, your injuries, road conditions, and the surrounding area. Be sure to also collect contact details from any witnesses and exchange driver, insurance, and vehicle information with the other party.
Don’t Admit Fault, Post Online, or Sign Anything
In the moments after an accident, it's crucial to avoid making any statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault, even a simple "I'm sorry." Additionally, refrain from posting about the crash on social media and do not sign any documents from an insurance company until you have spoken with an attorney.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If you've been injured in a motorcycle crash in Long Beach, the team at Golden Gate Legal is here to help you navigate the confusing aftermath and protect your interests. We focus on handling the legal details of your personal injury claim so you can concentrate on healing.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
With dedicated years of experience handling motorcycle accident cases and other personal injury claims, our team is here to help you rebuild. If you're looking for a trusted motorcycle accident lawyer in Long Beach, here are a few reasons why our firm is the right choice for you:
- We Will Get You Max Compensation: We fight aggressively to make sure you receive every penny you're entitled to for your recovery.
- We Will Protect You at All Costs: Our top priority is to guard your rights and interests, allowing you to focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You won't pay us anything unless we win or settle your case, so you can access expert legal help without financial stress.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is here for you around the clock to provide the legal and emotional support you need, whenever you need it.
See what our past clients have to say by reading our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
If you've been injured in a Long Beach accident, we handle the entire legal process so you can focus on your recovery. Here’s how it works:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost meeting to hear your story, answer your questions, and determine the strength of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team gathers all crucial evidence, from police reports to medical records, and handles filing the claim with the insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: As you recover, we can help manage your medical care and track your progress to ensure your case accurately reflects the impact of your injuries.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once your treatment is complete, we compile a formal demand and skillfully negotiate with the insurance company to secure the highest possible settlement.
- Litigation (if necessary): If the insurance company won't offer a fair amount, our trial lawyers are fully prepared to take your case to court to fight for what you deserve.
- You Get Paid: After your case is resolved, we take care of all the final details to ensure you receive your compensation check promptly.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim After a Motorcycle Accident?
In California, if you've been hurt in a motorcycle accident that wasn't your fault, you have the right to seek compensation from the responsible driver for the damages you've incurred. 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 are businesses focused on their bottom line and will often try to undervalue your claim, which is why it's so important to have the experienced California personal injury attorneys at Golden Gate Legal fighting for the full compensation you deserve.
Types of Injuries Handled
While this isn't a complete list, here are the types of injuries we typically handle in personal injury cases:
Road Rash
These are painful abrasions that occur when a rider’s skin grinds against the pavement, often leading to serious issues like infection, permanent scarring, or nerve damage.
Broken Bones & Fractures
Broken bones are a frequent outcome of motorcycle crashes, often demanding surgery, casts, and a long road to recovery that can sometimes lead to permanent movement issues or persistent pain.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A serious motorcycle accident can inflict devastating damage on the spinal cord, often causing a loss of function and sensation that dramatically impacts a person's mobility, independence, and future.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle crash can lead to lasting problems like difficulty concentrating, memory issues, and significant shifts in personality or mood.
Foot and Leg Injuries
Feet and legs often bear the brunt of the impact in a motorcycle crash, leading to common injuries like shattered bones, dislocated joints, and serious tissue damage.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional trauma from a crash can lead to PTSD, causing persistent fear, intrusive memories, and sleep disturbances that often require professional counseling to overcome.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Many motorcycle accidents in Long Beach can be traced back to a few common causes:
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Driving recklessly, such as ignoring traffic signals or weaving through lanes, makes it much harder to avoid sudden dangers and significantly raises the odds of a devastating collision, especially in heavy traffic.
Driving Under the Influence
Operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs impairs a driver's judgment, slows their reflexes, and significantly heightens the risk of a tragic accident.
Running Red Lights
Blowing through a red light is a frequent cause of serious intersection accidents that can badly injure other drivers and pedestrians.
Rear-End Collisions
Often the result of a driver not paying attention or following too closely, these accidents frequently lead to painful neck and back problems like whiplash.
Unsafe Lane Changes
When drivers switch lanes without signaling or looking, they can cut off other vehicles and cause serious accidents.
Lane Splitting
Riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow or stopped traffic, a practice known as lane splitting, is dangerous because drivers often fail to anticipate a vehicle passing them in that space and may not see the rider, which can easily lead to a collision.
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 often requires a detailed investigation into the specifics of your crash. If you believe the other driver was responsible for the collision, our team can help you demonstrate their liability.
However, it's important to understand that if you are found to be partially at fault, your compensation can be reduced according to your share of the responsibility. Understanding these factors is key to getting an accurate idea of the compensation you might receive, especially in a city like Long Beach where traffic can be notoriously complex.
How long do I have to take legal action after my accident?
After an accident in California, you usually have two years from the date you were injured to take legal action. It's crucial to act within this period, because if you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your ability to get compensation for your harm.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, insurance companies operate under strict deadlines. After you file a claim, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and start their investigation. From the moment they receive all your required paperwork, they have another 40 days to decide whether to accept or deny your claim.
Once your claim is approved, the insurer is required to issue payment within 30 days. These timelines are outlined in the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, meaning the entire settlement process should ideally be wrapped up within 85 days.
How long does a motorcycle accident stay on your record in California?
If you're in a motorcycle crash in Long Beach, the incident will typically remain on your California driving record for three years starting from the date of the collision. However, there are some exceptions. If the accident involved a commercial vehicle or hazardous materials, it could stay on your record for up to ten years.
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
Other Locations We Serve
Contact Us For a Free Case Evaluation
When dealing with the aftermath of an accident, you need strong support by your side to help you make the right decisions.
