How to File A Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Bakersfield
Motorcycling is an extremely popular pastime for enthusiasts and speed thrillers alike. Motorcycles have also been a popular form of transportation for decades. But like other forms of transportation, motorcycle riding comes with its own risks for accidents.
The California Highway Patrol’s SWITRS data for 2022 reports that there were a total of 18,271 motorcycle crashes that resulted in injuries and fatalities occurred in the state. The National Security Council (NSC) shares that although motorcycles only account for 3% of registered vehicles in America, motorcycle riders make up 14% of all traffic fatalities.
These kinds of accidents may result in severe injuries and damages, causing the accident victim to incur growing medical bills and various out-of-pocket expenses. Many times, these traffic accidents are caused by negligent motorists. In these cases, a motorcycle accident victim may file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in order to recover financial compensation for their injuries and damages.
In this article, we will discuss:
- Why should you file a Bakersfield motorcycle accident lawsuit?
- Who can file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Bakersfield?
- Recoverable compensation in a motorcycle accident lawsuit
- How can a Bakersfield motorcycle accident lawyer help you?
Why Should You File a Bakersfield Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, victims are likely to deal with painful and debilitating physical injuries. Motorcycle accident victims will need time to recover and get back on their feet. Unfortunately, during this time, victims may miss days of work, causing them to lose a significant amount of income. Not only will this set you back financially, but rising medical bills and property damage repairs can make a significant impact on your finances, mental health, and emotional well-being.When a negligent party is found liable, victims of motorcycle accidents may file a motorcycle accident claim to recover fair compensation for their injuries and damages.
How to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Bakersfield?
After an accident, there are certain steps one may take to protect their rights and preserve the validity of their claim, should an accident victim decide to file one. The following are some of the most important steps to take to ensure a valid and efficient claims process:
File a Report
After your motor vehicle accident, it is imperative that you call local authorities and ensures that they file a police report of the incident. Procure a copy of this police report. Your motorcycle accident attorney may use this as evidence to support your claim.
Seek Medical Treatment
It is crucial that you seek medical attention following an accident. Even if you suspect your injuries to be minor, you must be assessed by a health professional. Internal injuries may not present symptoms outwardly, and injuries that are left untreated may result in long-term health complications or permanent injuries.
Gather Evidence
If you are in a position to do so, take pictures and videos of the accident scene. Include important details such as skid marks, signages (or lack thereof), damages to your motorcycle and the vehicle, the location where the accident happened, and more.
Gather the Contact Details of the Other Motorist
Collect the information of the other driver such as their name, contact details, identification, car details, and, if possible, their insurance company information as well.
Collect Witness Information
If there were witnesses of the accident, make sure to collect their information as well. These statements may come in handy when filing your motorcycle accident lawsuit in Bakersfield.
Hire an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
One of the most crucial steps in filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Bakersfield is to have an experienced attorney on your side to help you through the legal process of filing your claim. Insurance carriers may attempt to lowball you in order to avoid offering a fair settlement amount. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will ensure that your rights are protected from these unfair practices.
Recoverable Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
As previously mentioned, the financial strains that result from a motorcycle accident can greatly affect a motorcycle accident victim. Nevertheless, through a motorcycle accident claim, an injury victim may recover compensatory damages.
The injured party may be eligible for the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical expenses (medical visits, treatments, etc.)
- Physical therapy
- Loss of income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
- And more
If the motorcycle accident results in the wrongful death of a loved one, surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf and recover the maximum compensation possible for their loved one’s fatal injuries and damages.
How Can a Bakersfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You?
A key factor in ensuring a valid motorcycle accident lawsuit is proving liability. An experienced personal injury attorney will know the right legal action to take in order to prove the at-fault party’s liability in a motorcycle accident.
Determining who is at fault often comes down to the legal concept of “negligence” in personal injury law. A person is considered negligent if they acted or behaved carelessly and in doing so caused injury to someone else.
In a motorcycle accident, the driver of another car or truck may be negligent. An at-fault driver may be negligent due to:
- Going over the speed limit, drunk driving, driving through a red light, driver distraction, etc.
- Failure to signal, failure to check for blind spots before making a turn
Along with proving negligence, a motorcycle accident attorney will give you the legal representation you need, handle all the complex paperwork of your case, and ensure you receive the medical care you need and the compensation you deserve.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Contact an Award-Winning Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today!
At Motorcyclist Attorney, we understand the difficulty of dealing with a motorcycle accident case. Our dedicated team of motorcycle injury lawyers, doctors, and case handlers will work aggressively to ensure you recover the maximum compensation possible for your personal injury claim.
You must hold the liable party responsible for their negligent actions and file a claim as soon as possible.
We have years of experience handling motorcycle accident claims and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for hundreds of clients. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t need to pay us a single cent unless we win your case.
Contact us at (661) 220-7037 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are available 24/7!
