Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Injured in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles? Golden Gate Legal's attorneys can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be overwhelming, leaving you to deal with both physical injuries and emotional trauma. If you're seeking legal representation in the Los Angeles area, our team is ready to help; contact us at the number below.
Golden Gate Legal is a personal injury firm with extensive experience handling motorcycle accident cases for clients throughout Los Angeles. In this article, we'll provide clear guidance on what to do after a crash, give an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Los Angeles
If you get into a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, it's important to follow the steps below to protect your health and your legal rights:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your immediate priority is to check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries. If you are able, move to a safe area away from the busy Los Angeles traffic to prevent any further accidents or harm.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
If there are any injuries or significant damage, your first step should always be to call 911. It's also vital to get a medical evaluation right away, even if you feel unhurt, as some serious conditions aren't immediately obvious and this creates an important record for your health and potential case.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are able, use your phone to take pictures of the accident scene, including all vehicles involved, any visible injuries, and the surrounding road conditions. It's also crucial to gather contact information from any witnesses and exchange insurance, license, and vehicle details with the other driver.
Don’t Admit Fault, Post Online, or Sign Anything
Be very careful with your words at the scene, as even a simple apology can be misinterpreted as an admission of guilt. It's also wise to avoid posting about the accident online and to refrain from signing any documents or speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting with a lawyer.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
After a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, contacting Golden Gate Legal is a critical step to protect your interests and navigate the legal aftermath. Our team is here to handle the entire claims process for you, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we fight for the compensation you need.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
At Golden Gate Legal, our attorneys have dedicated years of experience handling complex motorcycle accident cases throughout Los Angeles, among many other personal injury proceedings. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm to represent you:
- We Will Get You Max Compensation: We fight to ensure you recover every penny you are legally entitled to for your injuries and losses.
- We Will Protect You at All Costs: Our top priority is to safeguard your rights and interests so you can focus on your recovery while we handle the rest.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay any legal fees unless we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is available 24/7 to provide the legal and emotional support you need, whenever you need it.
For more insight into our client-focused approach, we encourage you to read our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We handle every step of the legal process for our Los Angeles clients, allowing you to focus on what's most important—your recovery:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We begin with a complimentary meeting where we listen to the details of your accident, answer your questions, and provide an honest assessment of your case.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team meticulously gathers all crucial evidence, including police reports and medical records, and handles all communication and filings with the insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: We help you navigate your medical care, ensuring your treatment progress is fully documented so that the full extent of your injuries is accounted for in your claim.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once your treatment is complete, we will send a comprehensive demand package to the insurance company and begin the negotiation process to secure a fair settlement.
- Litigation (if necessary): Should the insurance company refuse to offer a fair settlement, our experienced trial attorneys are prepared to file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
- You Get Paid: Once your case is resolved, we take care of the final paperwork to ensure you receive your compensation check as quickly as possible.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim After a Motorcycle Accident?
In California, if you've been injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn't your fault, the law allows you to seek compensation for damages from the at-fault driver. Compensatory damages for motorcycle accidents in California are intended to cover your losses and may include the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Vehicle repair
- Future medical care and treatment
- Pain and suffering
Insurance companies often try to pay out as little as possible to protect their bottom line, which is why having an experienced California personal injury attorney from Golden Gate Legal on your side is crucial to getting the full compensation you deserve.
Types of Injuries Handled
While this is by no means a complete list, here are some of the most common types of injuries we help our clients with:
Road Rash
Road rash is a painful abrasion that happens when a rider's skin scrapes across the pavement in an accident, which can result in serious complications such as infections, permanent scars, and nerve damage.
Broken Bones & Fractures
Riders often suffer from broken bones in an accident, which can require surgery, casts, or braces to heal properly, followed by a long recovery period that may lead to lasting pain or mobility challenges.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A severe impact in a motorcycle crash can injure the spinal cord, resulting in a loss of movement and sensation that permanently affects a person's independence and way of life.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury from a crash can result in lasting problems with memory, difficulty concentrating, 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
Victims may also grapple with severe emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), debilitating anxiety, and recurring nightmares, often requiring professional help to navigate the path to recovery.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
While every crash is unique, many motorcycle accidents in Los Angeles stem from a few major causes:
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Driving too fast or without regard for others slashes a driver's reaction time, significantly increasing the odds of a serious and destructive collision.
Driving Under the Influence
Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs clouds your judgment, slows your reflexes, and greatly increases the risk of causing a tragic accident.
Running Red Lights
When a driver fails to stop at a red light, it often leads to dangerous intersection crashes or puts pedestrians at severe risk of injury.
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
Suddenly switching lanes or failing to check for cars in a blind spot frequently causes sideswipe collisions or forces other drivers into risky, sudden maneuvers.
Lane Splitting
When a motorcyclist weaves between lanes of slow or stopped cars, it creates a dangerous situation because drivers are typically not expecting them and may cause a crash by changing lanes without seeing the bike.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our Los Angeles clients, Golden Gate Legal handles personal injury cases with zero upfront fees. We only collect our fee if we successfully win or settle your case, meaning there is absolutely no financial risk to you.
How do I prove the other driver was at fault?
Proving the other driver was at fault for an accident takes a few key steps and often needs a detailed investigation based on the unique details of your crash. If you believe the other driver caused the collision, our team can help you gather the necessary evidence to demonstrate their negligence.
It's important to know that if you are found to be partly responsible, your final compensation could be lowered based on your percentage of fault. Knowing how this works is vital for figuring out what you might be entitled to, particularly in a city like Los Angeles where the traffic can be incredibly challenging.
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. It's crucial to act within this timeframe, because if you miss the deadline, you will likely lose your legal right to seek compensation for your injuries.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
California law sets specific deadlines for how insurance companies must handle your claim. Once you notify them, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and start their investigation. From the day they receive your completed proof-of-claim paperwork, they then have 40 days to decide whether to accept or deny your claim.
If the insurance company approves your claim, they are required to issue payment within 30 days of that approval. These timelines are outlined in the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, meaning the whole process, from the initial notice to payment, should generally be wrapped up within 85 days.
How long does a motorcycle accident stay on your record in California?
In Los Angeles, a motorcycle accident will usually stay on your driving record for three years, starting from the date of the crash. However, this period extends to ten years if the collision involved a commercial vehicle or hazardous materials.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
At Golden Gate Legal, we begin by listening to your story. We understand that dealing with an injury in a city like Los Angeles can feel overwhelming, and our first step is to make sure you feel supported. We will also evaluate the full scope of your injuries and can help you find the right doctors and specialists to get the care you need.
Your focus should be on your health and recovery. While you heal, our team will handle the complexities of your case. We will diligently pursue the financial compensation you are owed for your medical expenses, lost income, and the personal suffering your accident has caused.
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.
