West Covina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Injured in a West Covina motorcycle accident? Golden Gate Legal's experienced attorneys can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
A motorcycle accident can be a devastating event, leaving you with not just physical injuries but emotional trauma as well. If you've been in a crash and are seeking legal representation in the West Covina area, please contact us at the number below.
Golden Gate Legal is a personal injury law firm with extensive experience helping clients navigate motorcycle accident cases in West Covina. In this article, we'll provide clear direction on what to do after an accident, give an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in West Covina
If you get into a motorcycle accident in West Covina, it's important to follow the steps below:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your immediate priority is to check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If it's safe and you're able to, move to a secure area away from the busy West Covina traffic to prevent any further danger.
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
Your immediate priority after an accident is to call 911 to report the crash and request medical assistance for any injuries. Even if you feel fine, it is essential to get a complete medical evaluation, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent and this documentation is vital for your well-being and any potential claim.
Document the Accident Scene
If you're able, use your phone to photograph the scene, including damage to the vehicles, your injuries, and surrounding road conditions. It's also vital to get contact information from any witnesses and to exchange license and insurance details with the other driver.
Don’t Admit Fault, Post Online, or Sign Anything
It's natural to be shaken up, but be very careful not to apologize or say anything that could be taken as admitting fault for the crash. You should also avoid posting about the incident on social media and never sign any documents or speak to an insurance adjuster without first getting legal advice.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident in West Covina, seeking legal advice from Golden Gate Legal can help safeguard your interests and navigate the claims process. Our compassionate team is here to manage the legal complexities for you, allowing you to concentrate on your healing and recovery.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal Law Firm
If you've been in a motorcycle accident in West Covina, our team at Golden Gate Legal brings dedicated years of experience handling these complex cases among many other personal injury proceedings. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us 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: We make it our top priority to protect your rights and interests, providing both legal and emotional support so you can focus on your recovery.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees to start your case, and we only receive a fee if we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide a free case evaluation whenever you need us.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials to see what others have to say.
Legal Process Overview
For your West Covina motorcycle accident case, we take care of every step of the legal process so you can focus on what matters most—your healing:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We'll start with a free, no-obligation meeting where we listen to the details of your accident, address your concerns, and evaluate the merits of your potential claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will handle the heavy lifting of collecting crucial evidence like accident reports and medical bills, and we'll officially file your claim with the insurance providers for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: We can assist in coordinating your medical care and will keep track of your recovery journey to make sure the full extent of your injuries is documented for your case.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've reached maximum medical improvement, we will send a comprehensive demand package to the insurer and skillfully negotiate to secure the best possible settlement for you.
- Litigation (if necessary): Should the insurance company refuse to offer a fair settlement, our experienced trial attorneys are ready to file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
- You Get Paid: Once your case is successfully resolved, we manage the final details and paperwork to get your settlement funds to you as swiftly as possible.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim After a Motorcycle Accident?
In California, the law allows you to seek compensation from the at-fault driver if you've been injured in a motorcycle accident. 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 own profits, which is why it's so important to have an experienced California personal injury attorney from Golden Gate Legal handling your case.
Types of Injuries Handled
While this isn't a complete list, we commonly handle cases involving the following types of injuries:
Road Rash
Road rash is the painful abrasion that happens when your skin scrapes against the pavement in an accident, and it can lead to severe complications such as infection, lasting scars, and damage to your nerves.
Broken Bones & Fractures
In a motorcycle crash, riders frequently sustain broken bones, which can necessitate surgery and a cast for proper healing, often resulting in a long recovery period and the risk of lasting pain or restricted movement.
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 accident can lead to lasting consequences, such as memory problems, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and significant personality changes.
Foot and Leg Injuries
A rider's legs and feet often take the hardest hit in a crash, leading to common injuries such as broken bones, joint damage, or severe gashes.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional trauma from a motorcycle accident can lead to lasting psychological conditions like PTSD, causing severe anxiety, recurring flashbacks, and sleep disturbances that often require professional help to overcome.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
CAUSE SECTION DESCRIPTION
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Ignoring speed limits or driving erratically drastically shortens a driver's reaction window, which often leads to catastrophic accidents on bustling city roads.
Driving Under the Influence
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cloud your judgment, slow your reaction time, and greatly increase the odds of a devastating accident.
Running Red Lights
Ignoring a red light often leads to dangerous collisions with other cars at intersections or tragic accidents involving pedestrians.
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
Failing to signal or check mirrors before switching lanes can easily cause a serious collision or push another driver off the road.
Lane Splitting
Riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow-moving or stopped cars, a practice known as lane splitting, can be dangerous and frequently results in collisions when drivers don't anticipate the maneuver or neglect to look before changing lanes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our clients in West Covina, Golden Gate Legal operates on a contingency fee basis. This means you won't pay any legal fees out of pocket. We only collect our fee if we successfully secure a settlement or win your case in court, so 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 requires a few key steps and often a detailed investigation based on the unique details of your case. If you believe the other driver caused the crash, our team can help you prove their negligence.
It's important to know, however, that if you are determined to be partially responsible, your final compensation could be lowered based on your percentage of fault. Knowing how these rules work is crucial for figuring out the potential value of your claim, especially in a city like West Covina, where busy roads and intersections can make accidents more complicated.
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. If you miss this critical deadline, you could lose your right to recover any compensation for your injuries.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, insurance companies must follow a specific timeline when handling your claim. Once you've notified them, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and start looking into the details. From the day they receive your completed proof-of-claim documents, they have another 40 days to decide whether to accept or deny it.
If the insurance company approves your claim, they are then required to issue your settlement payment within 30 days. This means that, according to the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the entire process should be wrapped up in 85 days from the time you provide all necessary information.
How long does a motorcycle accident stay on your record in California?
If you're in a motorcycle accident in West Covina, the incident will typically remain on your California driving record for three years, starting from the day of the crash. There are exceptions, however. If the collision involved a commercial truck or hazardous substances, it could stay on your record for as long as ten years.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
If you've been injured in an accident here in West Covina, our first step at Golden Gate Legal is to listen and understand how it has affected your life, making sure you have a supportive team on your side. We also help evaluate the full scope of your injuries, which often involves connecting you with the right medical experts for your treatment.
Your job is to focus on getting better; our job is to manage the legal complexities. While you heal, we will build your case and fight to get you the financial recovery you are entitled to for your medical bills, lost wages, and personal suffering.
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.
