Moreno Valley Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Moreno Valley Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Thousands of traffic accidents happen every year in California, many of which result in catastrophic injury. Victims often incur steep healthcare costs, lost income, and debilitating pain and suffering. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Moreno Valley are dedicated to helping the injured pursue the compensation they deserve following serious collisions. The insurance company’s first settlement offer might not include certain types of damages to which you are entitled. Our lawyers can help you account for all the damages you may be owed and make sure you are treated fairly. For a free case review, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS.
Signs You Have a Strong Motorcycle Accident Claim
No two personal injury cases are exactly the same. There are a number of factors that could lead to complications or disputes. The easiest way to find out if your case has merit and how best to proceed is to speak with a lawyer. That said, it is likely that you have a strong claim if the following are true:
- You Have Compelling Evidence of Liability: Unless the crash was caused by a defective auto part, your claim would most likely be filed on the basis of negligence (as opposed to strict liability or intentional wrongdoing). That means in order to establish liability, you must present evidence to show that the defendant breached the duty of care owed to you. In other words, your lawyer must be able to prove that the at-fault party failed to conduct themselves in a way that a reasonable person would have in the same circumstances. Examples of a breach of duty include drunk driving, speeding, and making an illegal turn. If you have strong evidence to prove the defendant’s negligence—and to demonstrate that your own negligence was not a contributing factor—you may be in a favorable position to recover damages. Such evidence may include surveillance and dashcam footage, photos of the scene, the police report, eyewitness deposition, the toxicology report, and the liable driver’s cellphone records.
- Police Were Called to the Scene: Sometimes a driver will ask that the police not be called in order to avoid the consequences of driving under the influence, operating a vehicle without insurance, or other infractions. Unfortunately, if you consent to this request, it might hurt your chances of recovering compensation. The police report will serve as an official record of the scene and may include statements from the parties involved and eyewitnesses, as well as the responding officer’s observations. This report could play an important role in the insurance company’s decision to approve or deny your claim. Having the report could also prevent the at-fault party from lying to avoid liability. Also, if you can prove the liable party was under the influence of alcohol, there’s a chance you may be able to obtain punitive damages.
- You Were Not Behaving Negligently When the Crash Happened: If you were behaving responsibly when the crash occurred, the opposing party might not be able to shift fault to you. This not only could prevent a dispute that would draw out the proceedings but also could increase your potential recovery.
- You Went to a Doctor Right Away: If you can demonstrate that you took your medical care seriously, the opposing party might be less likely to argue that you have failed to mitigate damages. Seeking prompt medical care could also prevent disputes over the severity of your injuries or their cause.
- You Have Not Discussed the Case Online: If you mention your injuries or accident online, the insurance adjuster might see your posts and come up with ways to use them as a defense against your claim. For instance, a description of what you were doing just before the crash might be used to shift at least part of the blame to you. Photos of you taken after the accident—for example, attending social events—might be used to challenge the severity of your injuries or to argue that you are not mitigating the damages.
- You Have Not Provided a Recorded Statement: The statements you provide to the insurance adjuster could be misinterpreted or misrepresented to dispute your claim.
- The Statute of Limitations Has Not Passed: There are deadlines for filing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Your Moreno Valley wrongful death lawyer can review the facts of your case to determine the statute of limitations that applies given the circumstances.
Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to Speak with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Moreno Valley
At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we are proud to offer aggressive legal representation to auto accident victims in Moreno Valley and surrounding communities. You won’t have to pay anything to speak with a member of our team, and no attorneys’ fees will have to be paid unless we win. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS or message us HERE to schedule a free case assessment.