Pasadena Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Hurt in a Pasadena motorcycle crash? Golden Gate Legal can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us for a free case review.
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be a grueling journey, both physically and emotionally. If you are looking for legal representation in the Pasadena area, please contact us at the number below for guidance.
Golden Gate Legal is a personal injury law firm with deep experience handling motorcycle accident cases for clients in Pasadena. We've created this guide to provide clear direction on what to do after an accident, offer an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Pasadena
If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident in Pasadena, it's very important to follow these key steps:
Make Sure You're Safe
The first thing you should do is check yourself and others for any injuries. If you are able and it is safe, move to a secure area away from the busy Pasadena traffic to prevent any additional accidents.
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 physically able, take photos of the accident scene, including damage to all vehicles, your injuries, and any relevant road conditions or signs. It's also crucial to get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses and to swap driver's license, insurance, and contact information with the other parties involved.
Don’t Admit Fault, Post Online, or Sign Anything
In the heat of the moment, be careful not to say anything that could be interpreted as you taking the blame, and resist the urge to share details about the crash on social media. It is also crucial to refuse to sign any paperwork or give a statement to an insurance company without first speaking to an attorney.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
After a motorcycle accident in Pasadena, reaching out to Golden Gate Legal is a crucial step to ensure your legal rights are defended while you focus on recovery. Our dedicated attorneys will navigate the complexities of your case, working tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve with compassion and expertise.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
With years of experience handling motorcycle accident cases and other personal injury proceedings in the Pasadena area, Golden Gate Legal is here to help you rebuild. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us:
- We Will Get You Max Compensation: Our duty is to guide you through the recovery process and make sure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to.
- We Will Protect you at All Costs: Our attorneys will aggressively fight for you and stand by your side from the beginning of your case to the very end.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees to start your case, and we only receive a fee when we win or settle.
- We Are Available at all times: When you're dealing with the aftermath of an accident, our team is available 24/7 to provide the strong support you need.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
Here’s how we handle every step of the legal process for your Pasadena case, allowing you to focus on your recovery:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a free meeting to hear your story, answer your questions, and determine the strength of your case without any cost to you.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team gathers essential documents like police reports and medical records, then we file all necessary claims and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: While you recover, we help manage your medical care and monitor your progress to ensure your case accurately reflects the full extent of your injuries.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once your treatment is finished, we compile and send a detailed demand letter to the insurance company, fighting to secure the maximum compensation you are owed.
- Litigation (if necessary): If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our team at Golden Gate Legal is fully prepared to file a lawsuit and take your fight to the courtroom.
- You Get Paid: After your case concludes, we handle the final paperwork to ensure you receive your compensation check quickly and without hassle.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim After a Motorcycle Accident?
In California, if you've been injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else's negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for the losses 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
To protect their bottom line, insurance companies will frequently attempt to undervalue your claim, making it essential to have a skilled personal injury lawyer from Golden Gate Legal fighting for you.
Types of Injuries Handled
While this isn't a complete list, here are the types of injuries we typically handle in our cases:
Road Rash
This is a painful skin injury caused by sliding across the road surface, and it can result in serious issues such as infection, lasting scars, or nerve damage.
Broken Bones & Fractures
Broken bones are a frequent outcome of motorcycle crashes, often leading to surgery, casts, and a long healing process that can sometimes leave riders with permanent movement issues or persistent pain.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The significant force from a motorcycle collision can damage the spinal cord, potentially causing partial or complete paralysis and forever changing a person's mobility, independence, and overall well-being.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle crash can result in life-altering consequences, such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, personality changes, and persistent confusion.
Foot and Leg Injuries
Your legs and feet are particularly at risk in a crash, often resulting in injuries such as broken bones, dislocated joints, or severe cuts.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The invisible wounds from a motorcycle crash can be just as severe, leading to conditions like PTSD and emotional distress that manifest as flashbacks, sleep disturbances, and a deep-seated fear, often requiring professional therapy to overcome.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Navigating the streets of Pasadena on a motorcycle can be risky, and several common factors often lead to accidents:
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Ignoring the speed limit or driving recklessly leaves very little margin for error, turning a simple mistake into a high-impact collision with devastating consequences.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs impairs your judgment, slows your reaction time, and makes a deadly crash far more probable.
Running Red Lights
When a driver runs a red light, they put everyone at risk, often causing severe intersection crashes or striking people trying to cross the street.
Rear-End Collisions
These accidents, often the result of distracted driving or failing to keep a safe distance, can cause painful neck and back problems, including whiplash.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Failing to signal or properly check mirrors before merging can cause a sideswipe or force another driver into a dangerous, sudden maneuver.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting, which involves a motorcycle riding between lanes of slow or stopped traffic, is a common cause of accidents as other drivers often do not expect the maneuver or fail to check their blind spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
Worried about the cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer in Pasadena? At Golden Gate Legal, we handle your case without any upfront charges. We only get paid if we secure a financial recovery for you, so you face no financial risk.
How do I prove the other driver was at fault?
Proving the other driver was at fault for an accident is a process that involves several key steps and often requires a detailed investigation into the specifics of your case. If you believe the other driver caused the collision, we can help you gather the evidence needed to demonstrate their negligence.
It's also important to understand that if you are found to be partially responsible for the crash, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. Grasping these legal details is vital for correctly evaluating what your claim might be worth, especially when navigating the complex traffic situations often found in Pasadena.
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, as waiting too long could mean you 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 provides a specific timeline for insurance companies handling claims. After you notify them of your claim, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and begin their investigation. From the day they receive all your required paperwork, they then have 40 days to either accept or reject your claim.
Once a claim is approved, the insurer has 30 days to issue payment. In total, the entire settlement process should not exceed 85 days. These deadlines are part of the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, designed to protect consumers from unnecessary delays.
How long does a motorcycle accident stay on your record in California?
If you're involved in a motorcycle accident in Pasadena, the incident will typically stay on your driving record for three years, starting from the date of the crash. However, for more serious collisions, such as those involving a commercial vehicle or hazardous materials, the accident can remain on your record for up to ten years.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here at Golden Gate Legal in Pasadena, our first job is to listen and truly understand what happened to you. We want you to feel supported. We will also work to grasp the full extent of your injuries, which might mean connecting you with the right medical specialists to ensure you receive proper care.
Your focus should be on getting better. While you heal, our team takes on the legal heavy lifting to pursue the financial recovery you are entitled to. This means fighting for compensation to cover your medical treatment, lost wages, and the personal impact this injury has had 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.
