Being injured or losing a loved one in a motorcycle crash is a tragic experience that’s often compounded by steep medical bills and lost income. If another person was responsible for the collision, you shouldn’t have to pay for the resulting damages out of your own pocket. Our Temecula motorcycle accident attorneys can help you fight for the compensation you need to get your life back. We have an in-depth understanding of the statutes and case law pertaining to these cases. With many years of experience representing motorcycle accident victims, our lawyers know the most effective strategies to employ during settlement negotiations and any litigation that may follow. To schedule a free consultation with a member of our team, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS. We will come to you if you cannot come to us.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle:

• Motorcycle-Car Accidents
• Motorcycle-Bus Accidents
• Motorcycle-Truck Accidents
• Brain Injury Motorcycle Accidents
• Spinal Cord Injury Motorcycle Accidents
• DUI Motorcycle Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents Involving Speeding
• Motorcycle Accidents Involving Poor Road Conditions
• Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
• Other Motorcycle Accidents

What Factors Could Influence the Settlement Calculations?

Although every motorcycle accident claim is unique, there are a few factors that can influence the settlement calculations in most cases. Examples include:

• The Cost of Medical Care: If your injuries are serious, permanent, and will require ongoing care, your medical costs would likely be higher than someone who only sustained a minor, temporary injury. The party who caused your crash may be liable for any healthcare expenses you’ve already incurred as well as the bills you’re reasonably certain to accrue in the future.
• The Victim’s Pre-Injury Income: If your injury has put you out of work, your income level before the accident will influence the settlement calculations, as will the number of days you spend out of work recovering.
• Whether the Victim Can Return to Work:If you won’t be able to return to the same profession due to a disability caused by the collision, your claim can account for loss of future income and benefits. Calculating a reasonable figure for these damages can be complicated, but our Temecula motorcycle accident lawyers work with financial experts who can provide testimony regarding the value of your lost earning capacity.
• Whether the Victim Was Partially at Fault: In some states, personal injury victims are barred from collecting an award of damages if they were at least 50 or 51 percent at fault for their accident. This standard is called “modified comparative negligence.” In the state of California, however, a “pure comparative negligence” standard applies to cases involving shared liability, which means you can pursue compensation for your damages even if you were 99 percent at fault. However, your financial award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
• The Severity of Injuries: More serious and permanent injuries tend to result in greater awards of non-economic damages such as lost enjoyment in life and pain and suffering. If you sustained a spinal cord injury, brain trauma, or permanent scarring, your attorney might seek a substantial figure for non-economic damages.
• Whether Punitive Damages Are Warranted: Did the at-fault driver flee the scene? Was he or she drunk? If the liable party demonstrated a willful or conscious disregard for your rights or safety, punitive damages may be warranted.

What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet or Was Lane-Splitting?

If you weren’t wearing a helmet or you were lane-splitting, it’s possible that the insurance company will ague that your own negligence contributed to the accident or to the severity of your injuries and, as such, you shouldn’t be compensated for 100 percent of your damages. Fortunately, our Temecula motorcycle accident attorneys are well-versed in the most effective ways to overcome such a dispute. For example, if you weren’t wearing a helmet but you didn’t suffer a head injury, we may argue that your non-use of a helmet didn’t contribute to your damages. In regard to lane-splitting, there are no laws in California that prohibit this act, so we may argue that lane-splitting doesn’t constitute a breach of the duty of care. Our attorneys have extensive experience overcoming liability disputes, and we will tailor our legal strategies to the unique circumstances of your case.

Discuss Your Claim with Our Temecula Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today

After you visit a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment, your first call should be to a well-credentialed motorcycle accident lawyer. Anything you say to the insurance company might be used to challenge your claim, but we can handle this correspondence on your behalf and aggressively protect your legal rights. While there are many attorneys who accept motorcycle accident cases, not all of them have the experience or resources to provide exceptional representation. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we are well-versed in the nuances of these claims, and we know the most effective strategies to employ during every stage of the proceedings. To schedule a free case assessment, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message online.