As a rider, you know that straddling your bike and hitting the open ride is a feeling that little else can match. However, despite an abundance of scenic vistas, stretches of pristine tarmac, and idyllic trails, many parts of California can be incredibly dangerous for bikers. Accidents are all too common, and riders—because of their lack of protection—almost always pay the price. If you were hurt while riding, our Echo Park motorcycle accident attorneys may be able to help you hold the at-fault parties accountable for their actions. 

We’ve represented riders and other injury victims throughout California, helping our clients secure more than $300 million in settlements and verdicts. To schedule a free case review, dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS today. 

What Is a Personal Injury Journal? 

A serious motorcycle wreck can change the course of your life in the blink of an eye. It’s a traumatic ordeal you likely want to forget as soon as possible. However, your ability to recall important details about the accident and the weeks that follow could be crucial to your claim’s success. 

While memories can fade, preserving your thoughts in a daily journal will ensure that you don’t forget information that could be useful to your case. As such, your attorney may recommend that you start a personal injury journal to keep tabs on your pain levels, describe your limitations, and take notes on your doctor’s appointments. 

Let’s take a look at some of the items you may want to include in your journal: 

• Written Account of the Accident: This should be your first entry, and you should use this account as an opportunity to answer important questions about what happened. What were you doing before the wreck? What did the at-fault party/parties say to you afterwards? Did anyone see the accident take place? Did you notice surveillance cameras near the accident scene? Your attorney may use this entry to help guide their investigation and identify crucial evidence that might help you prove fault. 

• Limitations Caused by Your Injuries: If you suffered a serious injury, there are several tasks you may no longer be able to do by yourself. For instance, you might be unable to drive, prepare meals, take care of the household, or even do your job. As you could potentially recover compensation for some of the limitations stemming from your injuries, you should take notes on instances where your condition affects your ability to live independently.  

• Pain Levels: Even minor injuries can lead to considerable pain and suffering; invisible scars that can make it difficult to live your life to the fullest. Fortunately, in the state, injury victims have a right to pursue compensation for the intangible effects of their condition. As such, whenever you experience pain, you should describe these sensations in your journal and grade your pain levels on a scale of 1 to 10. These entries can help contextualize your medical records, giving others insight into the ways in which you’ve suffered since the accident.  

Will My Motorcycle Accident Claim Go to Trial? 

The majority of personal injury cases will never see the inside of a courtroom. However, depending on your situation, there’s always a chance that opposing parties will refuse to agree to a fair settlement, leaving you with no other option than to take legal action. 

Let’s take a look at a few factors that could affect the timeline of your case: 

• Strength of Your Evidence: Strong evidence is the rock-solid foundation of a convincing claim. Without it, you will likely face disputes over liability and damages. As such, it’s important to conduct an in-depth investigation to gather all the proof necessary to prove your claim. If there are gaps in your evidence, opposing parties may use this as an opportunity to challenge your credibility. At HPIL, we can assess your situation, help you determine which types of evidence might strengthen your claim, and take the necessary steps to gather this evidence before it becomes unavailable.  

• Number of Liable Parties: In many cases, one individual or entity may be entirely at fault for causing the wreck that led to your injuries. However, there are many situations where liability will be shared by multiple parties. In some cases, you could even be held partly responsible for your losses. For example, if you didn’t seek medical treatment within a reasonable timeframe after the accident, opposing parties could argue that you failed in your duty to mitigate damages and are thus liable for a portion of your losses. If the parties involved cannot agree on how liability is apportioned, it may be in your best interests to proceed to trial.  

• Date of Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI): Recovering from a serious injury could take days, weeks, or even months. Throughout this process, you may have to undergo many unanticipated procedures, pay for nursing care, or cover the costs of home modifications. As such, you should wait until you’ve achieved MMI before settling your claim. Maximum medical improvement is the point in your recovery where your condition is not expected to improve with further treatment. Accepting a settlement offer before this point could leave you with a financial award that does not cover the full extent of your damages.   

Discuss Your Personal Injury Case with an Echo Park Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you can’t come through to our offices, we’ll send our attorneys to wherever suits you best—whether it’s your home, favorite diner, or the local café. At HPIL, we provide tenacious representation at every stage of proceedings. While our primary goal is to help you win your claim, we will also work to ensure that this process is as simple and stress-free as possible for you and your family. Reach out to us by calling 1-800-GO-HARRIS or by using our contact page and schedule a free case assessment.