Whittier Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Whittier Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accidents are less common than passenger vehicle accidents in the Whittier area, but they have a much greater chance of causing catastrophic or fatal injuries. If you or a family member recently experienced a motorcycle accident, a Whittier motorcycle accident lawyer is the ideal resource to consult to determine your most viable recovery options, and they can help maximize your recovery as much as California law allows.

Helping Motorcycle Accident Victims Recover in Whittier, CA

The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, have successfully represented many clients in all types of personal injury claims in Whittier, including those pertaining to motorcycle accidents. We know how damaging these accidents can be and that you are likely to have many pressing legal questions about how you can prove fault for your accident and what type of compensation you can expect.

Our firm is committed to providing client-focused legal counsel in every case we accept. This means we take time to develop individualized legal strategies for each client we represent. No two cases are alike, and no two plaintiffs face the same challenges as they seek compensation for their damages. We can listen to your story and help you understand the various obstacles and opportunities you might encounter as you seek compensation for your accident.

If you tried to handle your case on your own, you would contend with various procedural requirements with the court, filing deadlines, and the complex process of securing evidence to build your case while struggling with your recovery and your personal obligations. Working with a Whittier motorcycle accident lawyer means being able to rest and recover with peace of mind, knowing your legal affairs are in capable and trustworthy hands.

Proving Fault for Your Motorcycle Accident in Whittier

Your first challenge in the aftermath of any vehicle crash in Whittier is proving fault for the accident. State law requires proving fault before any claim for compensation may be filed. The driver at fault for the accident absorbs liability for the resulting damages, and all drivers are required to have auto insurance that includes liability coverage if they cause harm to others on the road.

Driver negligence is the most commonly cited cause of motorcycle crashes in the Whittier area, and this can take many forms. Distracted driving, moving violations, and speeding are the most common types of negligence responsible for crashes throughout the state. Proving negligence in any civil case requires proof that the defendant owed a duty of care they failed to fulfill in some way and consequently caused the damages.

It is also possible for a motorcycle crash to happen because of illegal misconduct, the most common example of which is intoxicated driving. If the driver who hit you broke the law in doing so, they face not only liability for your civil damages but also criminal prosecution from the state. The fact that they caused a serious injury will likely lead to more severe penalties in their sentencing.

An experienced Whittier motorcycle accident lawyer is the ideal asset to have on your side when it comes to gathering evidence to support your case. They can contact witnesses and obtain their statements, secure physical and digital evidence, obtain traffic camera recordings from the area where the motor vehicle accident occurred, and even consult with expert witnesses for you if your case involves any complex technical issues that require professional insight.

Claiming Compensation for Your Motorcycle Crash in Whittier

Proving fault is essential before you can recover compensation for your damages. After proving fault and identifying the party or parties liable for the accident, you can proceed with claiming compensation for the damages they inflicted. This process typically begins with an auto insurance claim. Every California driver must have auto insurance that meets the state’s basic coverage requirements.

Unfortunately, a minimum-coverage policy is unlikely to fully cover your damages if you experience a serious motorcycle accident resulting in great bodily harm. Additionally, dealing with insurance companies is rarely easy as they generally look for all the reasons they can find to deny your claim or justify the lowest possible settlement offer. Some insurance companies even engage in unethical bad faith tactics to take advantage of desperate and unaware claimants.

When you have an experienced Whittier motorcycle accident lawyer representing you, the insurance company will see that you have legal counsel and will be less likely to attempt any such mishandling of your case. Your attorney can ensure their offer is fair and reasonable under the terms of the at-fault driver’s policy and help determine the most effective solutions for addressing any bad faith you encounter.

If insurance cannot fully cover your losses, a personal injury claim allows you to seek full compensation for any damages you suffered because of the defendant’s actions. The state’s personal injury law enables an injured plaintiff to seek full compensation for all economic damages a defendant inflicted, such as vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, and lost income, if their injuries prevent them from working.

It is also possible for a plaintiff to claim pain and suffering compensation. There is no cap on pain and suffering compensation in most California personal injury cases, so the plaintiff may seek whatever amount they believe reasonably reflects the severity of the harm done to them. If you sustained any permanent harm from your motorcycle accident, you could potentially recover a sizeable amount of pain and suffering compensation.

Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, approaches every motorcycle accident claim we accept with the goal of helping our client recover as much compensation as possible as quickly as possible. We know how to gather the evidence you will need to prove fault for your accident and how to address any complications you encounter from an insurance carrier. If you must file a personal injury suit, you can expect personalized representation through all stages of the case.

It’s vital to consult a Whittier motorcycle accident lawyer as quickly as possible after your accident. This will ensure they have ample time to gather the critical evidence you will need for your case and will ensure you meet all applicable procedural deadlines. Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, is ready to help you fully recover from your recent motorcycle accident.

FAQs

Q: How Do I Prove Fault for My Motorcycle Accident in Whittier?

A: Proving liability for any motorcycle crash in Whittier usually requires several forms of evidence. Physical evidence at the crash scene, witness statements, digital evidence like cell phone records, and traffic camera footage are often essential. Your Whittier motorcycle accident lawyer can assist you in gathering the crucial evidence you will need to prove fault and recover compensation for your damages from the party responsible for the accident.

Q: What Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

A: The worth of your motorcycle case hinges on the extent and severity of your damages. State law allows you to seek complete repayment of all financial losses resulting from the crash, such as the cost of repairing or replacing your bike, all your medical treatment costs, and any income you are unable to earn during your recovery. You also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation that reflects the severity of your injuries.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File My Motorcycle Accident Claim?

A: The state sets a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, and this time limit starts whenever the accident occurs. If you intend to file an auto insurance claim after your accident, it is vital that you report your intention to file a claim to the at-fault driver’s insurer right away but do not discuss a settlement until you speak with an attorney. They can ensure you receive a fair settlement offer from the insurance company.

Q: What Happens if I’m Partially Liable for a Motorcycle Accident?

A: If you bear partial responsibility for the crash, a fault percentage is assigned to you, and you will lose this percentage of your final award as a penalty. For example, 5% fault means losing 5% of your total compensation, 10% fault would mean losing 10%, and so on. California’s pure comparative fault rule does not include any threshold of fault that bars a plaintiff from recovering compensation.

Q: How Much Are Attorneys’ Fees for a Whittier Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

A: Attorney fees for a Whittier motorcycle accident depend on the value of your award. Most personal injury attorneys charge a contingency fee. When you have a contingency fee agreement with your attorney, they collect a percentage of your case award as their fee only if they win your case. There is no fee at all if they are unable to obtain compensation for your damages, so there is no risk in hiring an attorney to represent you under this type of billing agreement.

The team at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, has successfully helped many injured motorcycle accident victims recover their damages. We aim to help every client maximize their recovery in the shortest timeframe possible, and we are ready to apply our extensive professional experience to your case. If you’re ready to learn what an experienced Whittier motorcycle accident lawyer can do for your case, contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team.