Riverside Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Hurt in a Riverside motorcycle accident? Golden Gate Legal's attorneys are here to help. Get the legal support you need to recover your losses.
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be a difficult journey, both physically and emotionally. If you've been injured and need legal representation in the Riverside area, our team is ready to help—just call the number below.
At Golden Gate Legal, we are a personal injury law firm with extensive experience handling motorcycle accident cases for clients throughout Riverside. This article will guide you through the immediate steps to take after a crash, provide an overview of the legal process, and answer some of the most common questions you may have.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Riverside
If you're involved in a motorcycle accident in Riverside, it's important to follow these key steps:
Make Sure You're Safe
First and foremost, assess yourself and any passengers for injuries immediately following the accident. If it's safe and you are able, move your vehicle out of the way of busy Riverside traffic to a more secure spot to prevent further danger.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
Your first priority after an accident is to call 911, especially if anyone is injured. Even if you feel okay, it is crucial to get checked out by a medical professional, as some injuries can take time to surface and this creates an important record for your well-being.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are able, use your phone to take pictures of the accident scene, including damage to all vehicles, your injuries, and any relevant road hazards. You should also gather contact information from any witnesses and exchange insurance, license, and vehicle details with the other driver 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
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident in Riverside, reaching out to Golden Gate Legal is a crucial step to ensure your rights are protected. Our dedicated attorneys will manage the legal complexities of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
With dedicated years of experience handling motorcycle accident cases and other personal injury proceedings in Riverside, our team is ready to fight for you. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us:
- We Will Get You Max Compensation: Our attorneys will aggressively fight to hold negligent parties accountable and get you every penny you deserve.
- We Will Protect you at All Costs: We make it our top priority to protect your rights and interests so you can focus on your recovery.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You won't pay any legal fees unless we win or settle your case, so there is no financial risk to you.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide the support you need, whenever you need it.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We take care of every step of your Riverside personal injury claim so you can focus on what matters most—your healing. Here’s how the process works:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a free, no-obligation meeting where we listen to what happened, address your concerns, and evaluate the details of your potential case.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will take charge of collecting all necessary evidence, from police reports to medical bills, and will handle filing all claims and communicating with the insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: Your recovery is the priority, so we can assist in coordinating your medical care and will keep track of your progress to build the strongest possible claim.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've completed your medical treatment, we will compile a comprehensive demand package and aggressively negotiate with the insurance company to secure the full compensation you are owed.
- Litigation (if necessary): If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our experienced trial attorneys are always prepared to file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
- You Get Paid: Once we win or settle your case, we manage the final paperwork to make sure you get your settlement funds 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 your losses from the responsible driver. 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
Keep in mind that insurance companies prioritize their profits and will often try to undervalue your claim, which is why it's so important to have an experienced California personal injury attorney from Golden Gate Legal fighting for the full compensation you deserve.
Types of Injuries Handled
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are the types of injuries we typically handle in personal injury cases:
Road Rash
Road rash describes the painful abrasions that happen when a rider's skin grinds against the pavement, which can result in serious problems like infections, lasting scars, or nerve damage.
Broken Bones & Fractures
Broken bones are a frequent outcome of motorcycle crashes, often leading to a long road to recovery that can include surgery and casts, and may leave riders with permanent mobility issues or persistent pain.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The violent impact from a motorcycle wreck can inflict devastating damage on the spinal cord, often resulting in a loss of sensation and function that can permanently alter a person's independence and way of life.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle crash can lead to lasting problems such as difficulty concentrating, personality shifts, memory issues, and persistent confusion.
Foot and Leg Injuries
A rider's legs and feet are at a high risk of injury during a crash, commonly resulting in broken bones, dislocated joints, or deep gashes.
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
While every motorcycle accident is unique, many crashes in Riverside stem from a few common causes:
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Reckless maneuvers and high speeds leave drivers with almost no time to react to unexpected hazards, drastically raising the odds of a serious crash.
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 distracted driving or following another vehicle too closely, these types of accidents can cause painful soft tissue damage and significant spinal injuries.
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
Riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic is a dangerous practice that frequently causes collisions, especially when drivers are unaware of the bike or change lanes without looking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our personal injury clients in Riverside, there are no upfront legal costs. At Golden Gate Legal, we only get paid if we win or settle your case. This means you can pursue your claim with absolutely no financial risk.
How do I prove the other driver was at fault?
Proving the other driver's fault in a collision involves a few steps and may require a careful investigation based on the details of the accident. If you believe the other driver was responsible for the crash, we are here to help you establish their liability.
However, it's also possible to be found partially at fault, which could reduce your compensation based on your share of the responsibility. Understanding this is key to getting an accurate idea of the compensation you may be owed, particularly in a city like Riverside where traffic situations can be complicated.
How long do I have to take legal action after my accident?
In California, the clock starts ticking on your right to file a claim after an accident. You generally have a two-year window from the date of the incident to take legal action. If you miss this deadline, you could permanently lose your right to seek compensation.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
California law sets clear timelines for insurance companies handling claims. After you file, the insurer has 15 days to acknowledge your claim and start its investigation. Once you've submitted all the required documentation, they then have 40 days to decide whether to accept or deny your claim.
If the insurance company approves your claim, they must issue payment within 30 days of that approval. In total, the entire settlement process, as outlined by California's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, should not take longer than 85 days from the time you submit your completed claim.
How long does a motorcycle accident stay on your record in California?
For motorcyclists in Riverside, an accident will typically remain on your driving record for three years from the date of the incident. This is the standard timeframe for most collisions in California. However, in more severe cases, such as an accident involving a commercial truck or hazardous materials, the incident can stay on your record for as long as ten years.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here at Golden Gate Legal in Riverside, our first priority is to listen to your story and understand the full impact the accident has had on your life. We'll also help assess your injuries and can connect you with the right doctors to make sure you're getting proper medical attention.
While you concentrate on getting better, we take on the entire legal burden. Our team will fight to secure the financial compensation you are owed for your medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you've experienced.
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.
