Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorney

We Handle Orange County Motorcycle Accidents

Many Californians enjoy motorcycling for leisure or simply as an alternative to typical cars, but every motorcycle owner must understand the inherent risks that come with riding. Motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than enclosed passenger vehicles for many reasons, and riders must take those risks into consideration before hitting the road.

The Orange County motorcycle accident attorneys at Bentley & More LLP have secured millions in damages for our clients throughout the Orange County area. We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.

Why Hire An Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorney From Bentley & More?

When motorcyclists suffer injuries due to negligent drivers, injured individuals can seek compensation for their damages through personal injury claims.

The Orange County injury lawyers at our Southern California law firm have helped clients in many different types of motorcycle accident cases.

Our skilled Orange County accident attorneys want California riders to understand the risks of motorcycling and what to do after a motorcycle crash.

Dangers of Motorcycle Crashes on Orange County Roads

Typical passenger vehicles such as cars and trucks have enclosed seating areas, protecting occupants from inclement weather and offering some protection from collisions.

• Motorcycles are completely open, leaving motorcycle riders exposed to the elements and offering no protection from collisions
• Motorcycles are also more agile than larger vehicles, tempting some riders to travel at excessive speeds and engage in risky behaviors.

Unfortunately, this can lead to more deaths in accidents, which may then need an Orange County wrongful death lawyer for help.

California law is very clear about helmet use. All motorcycle drivers and passengers need to wear Department of Transportation-approved helmets while on the road. Research has proven these helmets reduce motorcycle accident fatalities and brain injuries. Riders should also consider wearing eye protection and protective clothing such as leather and joint pads.

Most motorcycle injuries involve

• broken bones
• deep cuts
• traumatic brain injuries
• spinal cord injuries
• and road rash

These injuries often require extensive medical care, resulting in expensive medical costs for injured riders. If a motorcyclist suffers such injuries due to a negligent driver, he or she can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.

Understanding Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating, often resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Alcohol use

Alcohol use is a contributor to motorcycle accidents. When a car or truck driver is under the influence of alcohol, their reaction time, judgment, and coordination are severely impaired, increasing the risk of colliding with motorcyclists.

Speeding

When other vehicles travel at high speeds, they have less time to notice and react to motorcyclists, and their stopping distance is significantly increased. Additionally, speeding can make it more difficult for drivers to accurately judge the speed and distance of motorcycles, heightening the risk of a collision.

Failure to see motorcycles

Many motorcycle accidents occur because other drivers fail to see motorcyclists or misjudge their speed and distance. This is often due to the smaller size and profile of motorcycles compared to cars and trucks.

Road Conditions

Unsafe road conditions pose a considerable hazard for motorcyclists, often caused by poor maintenance or inadequate design. Potholes, uneven surfaces, debris, or poorly marked construction zones can be hazardous for motorcycles. All drivers should be cautious of such conditions, and adjust their driving accordingly.

Types of Compensation in Motorcycle Accident Cases

In motorcycle accident cases, victims may be eligible for compensation, depending on the specifics of their case. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each type:

1. Medical Expenses

Current medical expenses: These include costs related to your immediate medical treatment, such as emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, prescription medications, medical devices, and diagnostic tests.

Future medical expenses: These are anticipated costs for ongoing or future medical care, which may include follow-up surgeries, physical therapy, occupational therapy, long-term medications, future doctor’s appointments, and home health care.

2. Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity

Lost wages: This covers income you’ve lost due to time off work for recovery.

Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries affect your ability to earn income in the future, you may be compensated for reduced ability to work, inability to continue in your chosen profession, and costs of vocational rehabilitation or retraining.

3. Pain and Suffering

This non-economic damage compensates for physical pain and emotional distress. Some examples include physical discomfort and anguish, emotional trauma, anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and loss of sleep or appetite.

4. Property Damage

This covers damage to your personal property, such as the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle, damage to protective gear (helmet, leather clothing), and any other personal items damaged in the accident.

5. Rehabilitation Costs

These are expenses related to your recovery and adjustment, such as physical therapy sessions, occupational therapy, cognitive therapy for brain injuries, counseling or psychological therapy, and modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate disabilities.

6. Loss of Enjoyment of Life

This compensates for the negative impact on your quality of life, including inability to participate in hobbies or recreational activities, loss of physical abilities, strain on personal relationships, and overall decrease in life satisfaction due to injuries.

7. Punitive Damages

In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may be awarded. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior. Examples might include drunk driving cases, hit-and-run incidents, and cases involving extreme recklessness.

8. Additional Considerations

Loss of consortium: Compensation for the impact on your relationship with your spouse.

Disfigurement: Additional compensation for visible scars or disfigurement.

Wrongful death: If the accident resulted in death, family members may be entitled to additional types of compensation.

It’s important to note that the specific compensation you may be eligible for depends on the details of your case. Factors that can influence your compensation include

• The severity of your injuries
• The impact on your daily life and future prospects
• The degree of fault of all parties involved, the limits of available insurance coverage
• The strength of evidence in your case.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help evaluate your case, gather necessary evidence, and fight for the full compensation you deserve across all applicable categories.

Building an Orange County Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

Like most other car accident claims, injured plaintiffs in motorcycle accident claims must prove negligence to succeed in their lawsuits. Dealing with an insurance company can be challenging, as they often prioritize profit over fair compensation, making legal representation important.

Proving negligence requires establishing four facts in court:

• Duty. The plaintiff must show how the defendant had a duty to act with reasonable care.
• Breach. The plaintiff needs to show that the defendant breached his or her duty of care.
• Substantial factor causation. The plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s negligence was a substantial factor in causing his or her broken bone injury.  The defendant’s negligence need not be the only cause of the injury, because a “substantial factor” is a broad standard, requiring only a cause that is something more than negligible or theoretical.
• Damages. Finally, the plaintiff must have suffered some measurable loss to sue. If the plaintiff did not suffer any injuries or incurred no economic loss, he or she likely does not have a claim.

Contact An Orange County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Anyone who has suffered injuries or damages in a motorcycle accident in Orange County needs reliable legal representation to succeed in a personal injury claim. Schedule a FREE initial consultation about your motorcycle accident, and one of our Orange County truck accident lawyers, personal injury lawyers, or whoever can help will be by your side.

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