Motorcycle Passenger Injury Claims
Los Angeles offers the perfect weather for motorcycles, and motorcycles are cost-effective in combating rising gas prices. In fact, if you are a motorcycle operator or passenger, you may argue that there is nothing better. Unfortunately, Los Angeles traffic can take the fun out of riding motorcycles due to high rates of traffic accidents and resulting injuries. JT Legal Group injury attorneys are here to help. Learn how California law can work to your advantage if you have been injured as a passenger in an accident in Los Angeles.
California law makes it clear that injured passengers have the same rights as motorcycle operators in an accident. Sadly, your time for filing suit is often limited due to the statute of limitations. Do not wait to get started. If you have been injured as a passenger, here is how a personal injury attorney from JT Legal Group can help you recover personal injury compensation from the motorcycle operator, the motorcycle manufacturer, or driver of another vehicle if they are at fault.
What to do After a Motorcycle Accident
When you’re involved in an accident, it’s common to feel shock or fear. If you’ve been injured, seek immediate safety and medical attention when possible. Not only will this minimize your risk for further damage, but it will help with any potential personal injury claim if you choose to file one.
Contact Law Enforcement After an Accident
If you don’t require medical attention, we recommend contacting law enforcement as soon as possible. This may prove helpful for future action, as the other driver may be liable for negligence if driving while intoxicated or under the influence. If too much time passes, law enforcement may not have the opportunity to test the other driver for illegal substances.
Although police may not respond to accidents without injury or damage above a certain limit in Los Angeles, California law also enables you to file a report at your earliest convenience. When on the scene of the accident, try to write down pertinent information or take photographs with your mobile device if capable. Include license plate numbers, insurance information, the date and time of the incident, and names of witnesses, passengers, and drivers. When you are safe with a clean bill of health, you can file a report if the police did not come to the accident scene.
Common Injuries of Motorcycle Accidents in California
Traditional vehicles offer more protection against injury in most types of accidents. However, when riding on a motorcycle, you are more prone to severe injury, such as broken bones, contusions, cuts, road rash, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Although helmets and protective gear can help, they cannot prevent other drivers or manufacturer defects from occurring.
As a passenger of a motorcycle, you are not only at higher risk of injury, you are also at an increased risk of losing your life. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the number of fatalities for motorcycles by 29 times when compared with cars due to a motorcycle’s lack of visibility.
Living the experience of a motorcycle accident, or losing a loved one in an accident, can also cause emotional or mental difficulties. You may experience post-traumatic stress, depression, fear, and other symptoms of trauma. Whatever the cause of your motorcycle accident, hiring an experienced personal injury attorney with knowledge of stae law is imperative. JT Legal Group can help you get the compensation you deserve for your passenger injury claim.
Silence is Golden After a Motorcycle Accident
Although tempting, it is not usually in your best interest to speak with insurance company representatives or other lawyers without your accident attorney present. Insurance companies profit off insurance policies by minimizing claim payouts and accident attorneys for other parties may try to influence you to admit fault. For this reason, it is also wise not to sign anything not pre-approved or reviewed by your attorney. With the help of JT Legal Group, you do not have to fight for your rights alone. We will proactively fight these battles on your behalf with expertise in accident law.
Choose Your Doctor Carefully
After an accident, insurance companies may attempt to convince you to see their doctor as part of an evaluation for injury compensation purposes. Although legal under California law to make this recommendation, it is our practice to suggest you speak with your own doctor, Emergency Room staff, or a physician or practice that JT Legal Group proposes.
Find the Right Mechanic
If it is suspected that your accident was caused due to a defective motorcycle or defunct protective gear, it is essential that you find a mechanic or expert to fully evaluate the motorcycle or helmet. At JT Law Group, we will conduct in-depth research to determine if other complaints or suits have been filed against the manufacturer for similar reasons.
What to Do if Death Occurs After an Accident
First and foremost, JT Law Group sends their condolences for your loss. If your loved one lost their life as a motorcycle passenger, you may be eligible to file claims for monetary compensation. Compensation may help the remaining family to properly care for surviving children, surviving spouses, debt, or funeral expenses as part of a passenger injury claim. Get in touch with our law office today to see how we can help process a claim or lawsuit for your situation.
Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in California
In the aftermath of an accident, you may find yourself unable to work or unable to cope with the trauma of what occurred. Rest assured, these feelings and limitations are perfectly normal and may fluctuate or vary depending on your accident circumstances. Although nothing can turn back time and stop the accident from happening, you may have rights to sue for damages and compensation if injured as a passenger in an accident.
Negligent drivers, mechanics, manufacturers, and motorcycle operators may be liable to pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, future earning capacity, pain, and suffering. Unless you are well-versed in California accident law, you would unlikely know which type of suit or passenger injury claim to file on your own. Check with your personal injury lawyer at JT Legal Group to verify if you can sue on grounds of driver negligence, product liability, or wrongful death.
What to Expect From Your Personal Injury Lawyer
Before filing a lawsuit, our attorneys will make every attempt to resolve the matter without a trial. Most injury claims are resolved outside a courtroom and can be managed through negotiation if properly handled from one of our legal experts. As negotiations continue, we would request evidence from the other parties, provide and request sworn testimony through depositions, and answer questions under oath.
When you reach out to JT Legal Group for a consultation, we will gather all pertinent and relevant information. It may seem some of the information requested is unnecessary or irrelevant, but we look at every aspect of California law. Doing so will only help you make the most of your personal injury claim. Fortunately, our lawyers are experienced, educated, and knowledgeable about California accident law.
If Accident Negotiations Fail
If your case is not settled outside of court, you may see your civil suit go before a jury and judge in a courtroom. JT Legal Group will fight for you by providing medical records, witness accounts, expert testimony, and video footage if applicable to your specific accident. That way, the jury will have the best information to make their decision. Appeals can be filed with higher courts if necessary.
If you have been a passenger in an accident involving a motorcycle, or if your loved one lost their life, look to JT Legal Group to claim compensation after an accident in Los Angeles, California. Accident injury victims have rights and there’s no shame in exercising those rights. Our team of injury experts will explain the legal process in detail through a free consultation. Don’t wait until it’s too late and go here to get started today.
