Motorcycle injuries and fatalities hold high percentages amongst motor vehicle accident injuries and fatalities. Injured motorcyclists and families of motorcyclists killed on the road deserve to have an experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer fight for the compensation they need.
Contact the motorcycle accident attorneys at Maurer Law to request a free review of your case and discuss how we can help.
Motorcycle accident cases often include devastating injuries and damages. Even when wearing protective gear, motorcyclists may suffer brain injuries, back and spine injuries, broken bones, burns, and other injuries that could have long-term or always-lasting consequences.
According to the National Safety Council, motorcycles make up about only 0.6% of total miles driven by U.S. vehicles on the road, but account for about 3% of injuries and 15.5% of fatalities.
Part of the reason lies in the smaller stature of motorcycles compared to other vehicles on the road. According to studies, this often means car and truck drivers don’t see or mentally acknowledge the presence of a motorcycle as quickly as other vehicles. A motorcycle rider could be following safety rules perfectly and simply not be seen by another motorist until it’s too late.
The public can also have a bias against motorcycle riders that impacts how motorcycle accident cases are handled. Frequently, witnesses perceive that the motorcycle rider was driving too fast or driving unsafely, even if the rider was following the speed limit and the other rules of the road.
Insurance companies will prioritize their bottom line and take advantage of motorcycle bias and other pressures to do so. With the financial stresses that immediately follow a serious crash, it can be tempting to accept a settlement offer from the insurance company. We encourage you not to. These settlements often leave people without the ability to cover future costs.
Motorcycle accident cases are about uncovering the full truth of what happened, overcoming unfair bias, and making sure your injuries and losses are taken seriously.
Here’s how we help our clients.
Every case begins with your story. We take the time to understand what happened, how your injuries have affected your life, and what you need to move forward. You won’t be treated like a case number. You’ll work directly with attorneys who are invested in your outcome.
Motorcycle accident claims often hinge on details that can be overlooked or misinterpreted. We move quickly to gather and preserve critical evidence, including:
We also work to identify and correct bias-driven assumptions whether they come from witnesses, reports, or insurance adjusters.
After a serious motorcycle accident, you may be contacted quickly by insurance adjusters offering a settlement. These offers are often far less than what your case is truly worth, especially when long-term injuries are involved.
At Maurer Law, we:
Our goal is to make sure you are not pressured into accepting less than you need to recover.
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious, long-term injuries. We work to ensure that your claim reflects not just your immediate medical bills, but the full scope of your losses, including:
We take the time to understand how your life has changed and make sure that’s part of your case.
While many cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This level of preparation strengthens your position and ensures we are ready to take the next step if the insurance company refuses to act fairly.
As with any type of vehicle collision, the moments following a motorcycle crash are critical. Taking the following steps can increase your chances for a successful recovery.
Seek immediate medical attention. Even if you seem unharmed, adrenaline and shock can conceal internal injuries. Establishing medical records promptly after an accident can also help your personal injury case.
Do not admit fault or deny that you’re injured. Anything you say may be used to determine fault in your claim, and even a polite apology may be taken as an admission of fault. A statement where you said that you are fine may be taken to mean that you declined coverage for injuries that become apparent later.
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Collect as much documentation as you can. This includes the official police report, photographs of the crash scene, and records from doctor’s visits and medical exams. Gather the names, phone numbers, and insurance information from any other drivers involved in the crash.
Contact a skilled California motorcycle accident attorney. At Maurer Law, our attorneys are ready to advocate for your rights and help you get your life back.
A California motorcycle accident lawyer can help you receive coverage for related medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
In the case of a fatal motorcycle accident, a claim may also cover wrongful death, which would be paid out to the deceased motorcyclist’s family or dependents.
Motorcycles are often perceived as recreational vehicles, even though they can just as easily be a rider’s daily vehicle. Because of this perception, motorcyclists can be presumed to be “daredevils,” “thrill-seekers,” or otherwise reckless individuals. Because of these biased assumptions, when a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, some might jump to the conclusion that the motorcyclist was at fault for the crash.
Witnesses may make statements to the police based on their misperceptions, and those statements become important evidence in the case. The insurance companies can use this evidence and any other records of the accident in determining whether to pay out your accident claim.
If the evidence inaccurately points to you, the motorcycle rider, as the at-fault driver, then the insurance company may wrongly reject your claim.
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Our California motorcycle accident attorneys know the importance of gathering all the facts through investigation and presenting them without witness biases.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, talk to our office about your case as soon as you can. There is no financial obligation, and you will pay no fee unless we recover money for you.
If possible, get the contact and insurance information of the driver who caused the accident. Also get the contact information of witnesses and take photos of road and vehicle conditions. All this information can prove useful when your attorney investigates and helps prove your side of the story.
If someone requests that you make a recorded statement, particularly a statement about your injuries and who was at fault, you should decline. These statements could be used to prevent you from getting the compensation you need.
At Maurer Law, our attorneys have helped people across California receive fair compensation after motorcycle accidents. We take the time to listen, fully understand what you’re going through, and reflect the seriousness of your situation.
If you or someone you love has been in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait. Call our office at 530-745-6861 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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