San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Need a San Francisco motorcycle accident attorney? The team at Golden Gate Legal fights for riders' rights. Get the help you need to recover.
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be a tough road, impacting you both physically and emotionally. If you are seeking legal representation in the San Francisco area for your injuries, contact our team at the number below.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have extensive experience representing riders in motorcycle accident cases across San Francisco. To help you navigate this difficult time, this article will cover what to do after an accident, provide an overview of the legal process, and address questions you might have.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in San Francisco
If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident in San Francisco, it's crucial to take the following steps to protect both your health and your legal rights:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your immediate priority is to assess yourself and any passengers for injuries. Once you've done that, if it's safe and you're able to, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic to a secure spot on the San Francisco streets to prevent any further incidents.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
Immediately after an accident, call for emergency help if there are any injuries. Even if you think you're unhurt, it's vital to get a medical evaluation to identify any hidden injuries and create an official record of your condition.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are physically able, use your phone to photograph the damage to all vehicles, your injuries, and the surrounding scene, including road conditions or traffic signs. It's also vital to collect contact information from any witnesses and exchange driver's license and insurance details with the other party.
Don’t Admit Fault, Post Online, or Sign Anything
Resist the urge to apologize or say anything that could be taken as you admitting fault for the accident. You should also hold off on posting about the crash online and never sign any documents from an insurance company without first getting legal advice.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
After a motorcycle accident in San Francisco, reaching out to Golden Gate Legal is a critical step to protect your interests and navigate the complex claims process. Our compassionate team will handle the legal burdens, fighting for the compensation you need so you can concentrate on your recovery.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
At Golden Gate Legal, we have dedicated years of experience handling motorcycle accident cases and a wide range of other personal injury proceedings for clients in the San Francisco area. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm to represent you:
- We Will Get You Max Compensation: Our attorneys will aggressively fight to hold negligent parties accountable and help you obtain the full compensation you are entitled to.
- We Will Protect you at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we take care of the rest.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay any legal fees unless we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at all times: Our dedicated team is here to provide the legal and emotional support you need from the beginning of your case to the very end.
We encourage you to see what our past clients have to say by checking out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
Here’s how we handle the legal process for your San Francisco personal injury claim from start to finish, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your recovery:
- 1. Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We'll start with a complimentary meeting where we hear your side of the story, address your concerns, and evaluate the details of your potential claim.
- 2. Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will meticulously collect all necessary evidence, including official reports and medical documentation, and then formally file your claim with the responsible insurance carriers.
- 3. Medical Treatment Coordination: As you recover, 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.
- 4. Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've finished your medical treatment, we will send a comprehensive demand package to the insurer and begin aggressively negotiating for the highest possible settlement for you.
- 5. Litigation (if necessary): Should the insurance company refuse to offer a fair settlement, our experienced trial attorneys are ready to file a lawsuit and advocate for you in court.
- 6. You Get Paid: Once your case is successfully resolved, we manage the final paperwork to make sure you get your settlement funds promptly and without hassle.
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 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
Insurance companies often try to pay out as little as possible to protect their bottom line, which is why having experienced California personal injury attorneys from Golden Gate Legal on your side is crucial for securing the full compensation you deserve.
Types of Injuries Handled
While this isn't a complete list, we typically handle cases involving the following types of injuries:
Road Rash
Road rash refers to the painful abrasions that occur when a motorcyclist's skin scrapes against the pavement in a crash, potentially leading to severe complications like infection, permanent scars, and nerve damage.
Broken Bones & Fractures
Broken bones are a frequent outcome of motorcycle crashes, often requiring surgery and immobilization with a cast or brace for a lengthy healing journey that may result in chronic pain or lasting mobility issues.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The intense force of a motorcycle accident can cause spinal cord damage, resulting in partial or complete paralysis that deeply affects a person's mobility, independence, and their future quality of life.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle crash can lead to significant challenges, including problems with memory, persistent confusion, difficulty thinking, and shifts in personality or mood.
Foot and Leg Injuries
In a motorcycle crash, a rider's feet and legs are particularly exposed, often resulting in serious harm like broken bones, joint damage, and deep cuts.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional trauma from a crash can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), causing persistent fear, nightmares, and severe anxiety that often requires professional counseling.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
CAUSE SECTION DESCRIPTION
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Driving recklessly or at high speeds drastically cuts down on a driver's reaction time, making severe, high-impact collisions far more likely—particularly on packed city streets or highways.
Driving Under the Influence
Getting behind the wheel while intoxicated severely hampers your ability to react quickly, impairs your judgment, and dramatically raises the likelihood of causing a tragic collision.
Running Red Lights
Ignoring a red light frequently results in violent intersection collisions and poses a serious threat to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Rear-End Collisions
Often the result of a driver following too closely or not paying attention, these collisions can cause painful whiplash and other lasting injuries to the neck and back.
Unsafe Lane Changes
When a driver changes lanes without warning or misjudges the space available, it can trigger sideswipe accidents or cause other motorists to brake hard to avoid a crash.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting, where a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of slow-moving or stopped cars, can be incredibly risky and frequently causes accidents when drivers don't anticipate the bike or fail to check their blind spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our San Francisco clients, Golden Gate Legal operates on a simple promise: you pay no legal fees upfront. We only receive payment if we win or settle your personal injury case, removing any financial risk for you.
How do I prove the other driver was at fault?
Proving the other driver was at fault for an accident is a detailed process that often requires a careful review of the incident's specific details. If you believe the other driver is responsible for what happened, our team can help you build a case to demonstrate their negligence.
It's important to know that if you are found to share some of the blame, the compensation you receive could be reduced based on your percentage of fault. Grasping these concepts is vital for understanding what you might be owed, especially in a city like San Francisco, where complex traffic patterns can often complicate accident claims.
How long do I have to take legal action after my accident?
In California, you generally have two years from the day your accident occurred to file a lawsuit for your injuries. If you fail to act within this timeframe, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation for your damages.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, the clock starts ticking for an insurance company as soon as you file a claim. They have 15 days to confirm they've received it and begin their review. After you've submitted all the required documentation, they then have another 40 days to make a decision on whether to approve or deny your claim.
If your claim is approved, the insurance company must send payment within 30 days of that decision. All told, California's regulations for fair claims settlement practices dictate that the entire process, from their initial review to you receiving a check, should take no more than 85 days.
How long does a motorcycle accident stay on your record in California?
For riders in San Francisco, a motorcycle accident will typically remain on your driving record for three years from the date of the crash. This period can be longer for more serious collisions; for instance, an accident involving a commercial vehicle or hazardous materials can stay on your record for up to ten years. The clock for this retention period starts ticking on the day the incident took place.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Navigating life after an accident in a bustling city like San Francisco can feel isolating. At Golden Gate Legal, our first step is to listen to your story and grasp the full impact of the incident. We'll evaluate the extent of your injuries and can connect you with trusted medical specialists to ensure you receive the best possible care.
Your job is to heal; our job is to handle everything else. We take on the complexities of the legal system, fighting to get you the financial support you need. This means we work to recover costs for your medical bills, lost wages, and the personal toll the injury has taken 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.
