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Woodland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

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Fatal motorcycle accident

Woodland Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycles are popular throughout California, and while many motorcyclists ride everyday without issue, others are not so fortunate. Motorcycles are inherently dangerous for several reasons, and the biggest problem they pose to their operators is that they offer virtually no physical protection in a crash. As a result, motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities than most other vehicle accidents. All motorcyclists must acknowledge this risk every time they ride.

Representing Motorcycle Accident Victims in Woodland, CA

If you or a loved one recently experienced a motorcycle accident in the Woodland, CA, area that another driver caused, it’s vital to know how to hold them accountable for your damages. Motorcycle accidents can easily result in tremendous losses, and if another driver caused your recent accident, you should not be left to deal with the aftermath. An experienced Woodland motorcycle accident lawyer is the best resource to consult in this situation.

The Kreeger Law Firm has years of experience guiding clients in the Woodland, CA, area through many challenging personal injury cases, including those pertaining to motorcycle accidents. We understand the challenges many motorcycle accident victims face and the uncertainty that often surrounds the initial stages of any civil claim. In every case we accept, our goal is to help our client understand their legal rights, approach their case with confidence, and maximize their recovery.

Why You Need a Woodland Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If another driver is clearly to blame for your recent motorcycle accident, it’s understandable to wonder why you would need to hire an attorney to prove their liability for your damages. However, the reality is that even the most seemingly straightforward accident claims can pose significant legal challenges to plaintiffs. Fault may not be as apparent as you thought, or multiple parties could bear liability for your accident. It can also be difficult to accurately calculate the full scope of the damages resulting from your accident immediately after it occurs.

Attempting to handle your case proceedings without an attorney would only be making an already difficult situation even more stressful. The average person with minimal experience in the civil court system would be likely to make critical mistakes that could interfere with their ability to secure fair compensation for their losses. They may also overlook key pieces of evidence that help them prove liability for their injuries or fail to recognize potential avenues of recovery, settling for less than they should.

Hiring an experienced Woodland motorcycle accident attorney is an investment in your overall recovery quality. The right attorney can handle your case proceedings on your behalf so you can focus your energy on recovery peacefully. The Kreeger Law Firm has extensive experience with challenging vehicle accident cases, and we know how to guide clients through the complex legal proceedings these events usually generate.

Our team will help you file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver before proceeding with further legal action if it’s necessary. Insurance may provide some relatively swift relief from the economic effects of your accident, but it would be unlikely to fully cover the damages resulting from a severe motorcycle crash. We’ll help you calculate the full scope of your damages and guide you through the process of recovering them as efficiently as possible.

motorcycle accident lawyer woodland ca

How Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Woodland, CA?

Motorcycle accidents happen for many reasons that other vehicle accidents happen. However, motorcycles are inherently dangerous because of their small size, lack of safety features, and inability to protect riders in a crash. As a result, motorcycle accidents are more likely to cause severe or fatal injuries than most other vehicle accidents. Some of the most commonly reported causes of motorcycle accidents that lead to personal injury claims in Woodland, CA, are:

  • Distracted driving. When a driver diverts their attention from the road, even for a few seconds, this distraction can have terrible consequences. Distracted driving is the leading cause of all vehicle accidents across the US.
  • Intoxicated driving. It is illegal for any driver to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. California enforces strict laws regarding driving under the influence (DUI). A driver who causes an accident with a motorcycle due to intoxication faces criminal charges and civil liability for the victim’s damages.
  • Speeding. Posted speed limits are not suggestions, and when drivers exceed speed limits, they put themselves and others at risk. Accidents that occur at high speeds are more likely to result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
  • Moving violations, which include illegal turns and U-turns, running red lights, and failing to stop at stop signs. These actions can startle other drivers and disrupt traffic, potentially resulting in accidents.

If you are unsure whether your recent motorcycle accident qualifies for legal action, consult an experienced Woodland motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. The right legal team can help you identify the party or parties responsible for your motorcycle accident and guide you through the complicated recovery process.

Proving Fault for a Motorcycle Accident

Success with a personal injury claim is a multifaceted process. First, the plaintiff must identify the party responsible for causing the accident and then prove that the party was negligent or intentionally harmful in the actions that caused the crash. Your Woodland motorcycle accident attorney can assist you in gathering the evidence needed to establish these elements of liability, such as traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, and cell phone records.

Once you and your legal team have identified the defendant or defendants responsible for causing your motorcycle accident, the next step in your case will be proving the full scope of the damages caused by the defendant’s actions. Again, your attorney is likely to reveal channels of compensation you would have overlooked on your own, helping you to maximize your recovery. After establishing your damages, you must prove that those damages directly resulted from the defendant’s actions and not some other cause.

Filing an Insurance Claim for a Motorcycle Accident

California uses a fault-based system to resolve vehicle accidents. All drivers must carry auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. When a driver causes an accident, the other driver has the right to file a claim against their auto insurance policy to seek compensation for their damages. Most minimum coverage auto insurance policies will only provide compensation for bodily injury and property damage, but a severe motorcycle accident would likely eclipse the coverage of such a policy.

Dealing with insurance companies is rarely easy, especially when you are struggling in the aftermath of a severe motorcycle accident that caused painful and debilitating injuries. A Woodland motorcycle accident lawyer can help you file your insurance claim and ensure the insurance carrier handles the claim in good faith. A good attorney can secure an insurance claim settlement for their client within a few weeks, but if the client has outstanding damages not covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance, they must build a civil claim to recover the rest.

Damages and Compensation for a Woodland, CA, Motorcycle Accident Claim

Even when riders wear the best safety gear and appropriately fitted helmets, they can still suffer catastrophic injuries from motorcycle accidents. These incidents are easily capable of causing broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, and a host of other wounds. It’s common for motorcycle accident victims to suffer multiple injuries, and they will usually require immediate medical treatment following their accidents.

California’s personal injury laws allow plaintiffs to seek total compensation for all the economic losses they sustain due to the defendants’ actions named in their claims. These economic damages usually include:

  • Property damage. The at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy may cover some of the victim’s vehicle repair costs, but any outstanding property damage can be included in a civil claim against the at-fault driver.
  • Medical expenses. Motorcycle accidents are easily capable of causing catastrophic injuries. Victims may require not only intensive emergency care right after these incidents but also extensive ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. Accordingly, the defendant in a motorcycle accident case is liable for the costs of all medical treatments the plaintiff requires to fully recover from their injuries.
  • Lost income. Your recent motorcycle accident could have left you unable to work for an extended time. The defendant in your case would be responsible for your lost income, and if you cannot resume working due to permanent damage done by the defendant, they would be liable for your lost future earning potential as well.

Your Woodland motorcycle accident lawyer can help you calculate the full range of economic damages you can include in your claim. California law also allows you to claim compensation for your pain and suffering. The amount you can claim depends on the severity of your injuries and whether they caused any long-term or permanent harm. Most personal injury attorneys will multiply their client’s claimed economic losses by two to five to determine appropriate pain and suffering compensation.

Any personal injury plaintiff in California needs to understand how its pure comparative negligence law could impact their case. If a plaintiff is found to be partially responsible for causing their claimed damages, the plaintiff loses a percentage of their case award to reflect their shared fault. For example, if a plaintiff is found to be 10% at fault in a $500,000 motorcycle accident case, the plaintiff would lose 10% of their case award, or $50,000, to reflect their comparative negligence. If you have any concerns about a defendant claiming comparative negligence and negatively impacting your case award, your Woodland motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine the best strategy for addressing this issue.

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FAQs

Q: What Is the Most Common Injury in a Motorcycle Accident?
A:
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the California Department of Transportation, and various other government agencies, traumatic brain injuries are the most commonly reported motorcycle accident injuries. California requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets, but even the best quality helmets can only mitigate the severity of head injuries, not prevent them entirely.

Q: How Long Will My Motorcycle Accident Case Take to Resolve?
A:
Many factors influence the timetable of any personal injury claim, such as the defendant’s willingness to accept liability for the plaintiff’s damages and the scope of damages sought by the plaintiff. Your Woodland motorcycle accident attorney can provide a reasonable estimate of the time your case is likely to require before reaching a conclusion.

Q: What Happens If a Hit-and-Run Driver Caused My Motorcycle Accident?
A:
Your attorney can help you determine the best way to identify the driver responsible for your accident. This may involve obtaining traffic camera footage from the area where the crash occurred, securing eyewitness testimony, and working with the local police. Drivers who cause accidents and flee can face criminal prosecution for hit-and-run, and they will likely also face punitive damages and liability for the victim’s civil damages.

Q: What Do I Do If a Loved One Died in a Motorcycle Accident?
A:
If another driver caused a fatal motorcycle accident and you lost a loved one, you and your family would have the right to file a wrongful death claim. This type of claim is similar to a personal injury claim with a few key differences, and an experienced attorney will be an invaluable asset if you are forced to pursue this type of case in Woodland, CA.

It’s natural to have many questions after any personal injury in Woodland. Victims of motorcycle accidents often face painful and arduous roads to recovery, and dealing with complex legal affairs while recovering from serious injuries is incredibly stressful. However, it’s possible to make this situation easier for you and your family to bear by working with an experienced Woodland motorcycle accident lawyer.

The right attorney will help you identify the party or parties responsible for causing your accident and then assist you in proving the full scope of your damages. The Kreeger Law Firm believes in client-focused, compassionate, and responsive legal representation for every case we accept. If you are ready to explore your options for legal recourse following a motorcycle accident, contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Woodland motorcycle accident lawyer.