Motorcyclists may be significantly more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries in a collision. This is, in part, because they do not have any surrounding protection the way other types of motor vehicles do. In a collision, the surrounding steel would normally absorb a significant amount of the force of the wreck. With motorcycle accidents, the biker may be subject to the full impact of the crash. If you have suffered critical injuries in a collision caused by someone else’s negligent actions, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages and suffering.
With the legal support of a trial-proven Garden Grove motorcycle accident lawyer from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, you can get through these difficult times and start to move forward with your life. Contact our personal injury attorneys for a 100% free consultation today and learn more about what your legal options might be, who could be sued for your damages, and the value of your Garden Grove motorcycle accident claim.
Garden Grove Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The California Office of Traffic Safety maintains records of recent crash rankings. In 2021, there were 26 reported motorcycle accidents, 56 pedestrian accidents, and 45 bicycle accidents. There were also 57 collisions involving alcohol and 610 total motor vehicle accident injuries and deaths in Garden Grove.
Which Roads and Intersections in Garden Grove Are the Most Dangerous?
When riding your motorcycle on any of the following roads and intersections, be cautious as they are known for being particularly dangerous:
- Knott Street at Chapman Avenue
- Westminster Avenue at Brookhurst Street
- Trask Avenue at Harbor Boulevard
- Westminster Avenue at Bushard Street
- Lampson Avenue at Harbor Boulevard
- Chapman Avenue at West Street
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Garden Grove?
Do not panic in the aftermath of the collision. Remain calm and take the following steps to preserve the accident scene and build the strongest case possible against the liable party:
- Dial 911
- Gather Evidence
- Get Medical Help
- Hire a motorcycle accident lawyer in Garden Grove, GA
What Are Some of The Most Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Garden Grove?
If you have concerns that your injuries are not serious enough, you can breathe a little easier. When you file a personal injury lawsuit after a motorcycle accident, the type of injury you suffered is irrelevant. What matters is how severe your injuries are and how significantly they have affected your life. With that in mind, Text Kevin Accident Attorneys has seen a wide variety of injuries over the years. Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries clients have dealt with include:
- Road rash
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Amputation
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Organ failure
- Compound fractures and broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Dental injuries and injuries to the face
Do not feel discouraged if you are experiencing another type of injury that was not included above. Remember, if your injuries have had a profound effect on your life, you may have the right to compensation for your damages no matter which type of injury you were diagnosed with.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Hire a lawyer on contingency so you do not have to pay any money down or cover your legal advocate’s hourly rate.
Once we win your case, our attorney’s fees come right out of your settlement, so you never even have to see a bill. If we lose, you will not pay us even one cent in legal fees. At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we do not believe you should have to use up all of your savings, take out a home equity loan, or resort to other extraordinary measures to demand justice.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Some of the Blame for a Motorcycle Accident in Garden Grove?
Pure comparative negligence refers to the legal doctrine surrounding shared liability. It is more common than you might think for injury victims to share responsibility for the motorcycle accident itself or the injuries they sustained. For example, if you were driving over the speed limit, you may be partially responsible for the collision. If you were not wearing a motorcycle helmet when you were hit, you might be partially at fault for the injuries you suffered.
Accusing injury victims of sharing fault for their trauma is one of the most common tactics liable parties use to avoid financial culpability. Under California Civil Code 1714, California follows pure comparative negligence rules. Since you are partially at fault, you will need to be held to account for your percentage of liability. To do this, the civil courts will take out your percentage of blame from your settlement. For example, if you are determined to share 30% of the blame for the accident, you will only recover 70% of your award.
Let’s Take a Closer Look at the Cause of Your Garden Grove Motorcycle Accident
Reckless Drivers
Reckless drivers are one of the top causes of motorcycle wrecks. Some examples of reckless or negligent driving could include:
- Failure to stop
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Failure to yield
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Failure to check blind spots
- Distracted driving
- Road rage
Dram Shop Negligence
It may surprise you to learn that establishments that serve or sell alcohol can be named in personal injury lawsuits. Under California Business and Professions Code 25602.1, if a liquor store, venue, restaurant, or other dram shop served or sold alcohol to the driver who hit you when they were already visibly impaired, the dram shop could share partial liability for your damages.
Motorcycle or Auto Parts Manufacturers
If the driver who hit you could not stop due to a brake malfunction, tire blowout, or other defect, they may not be entirely at fault. You may also be able to sue:
- Motorcycle dealerships
- Safety inspectors
- Automakers
- Parts manufacturers and distributors
- Parts designers
- Retailers and suppliers
The Government
Additionally, the city of Garden Grove and the California Department of Transportation must work together to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists. When potholes remain unfilled, dangerous intersections remain unchanged, and road conditions continue to be hazardous, these government agencies can be named in injury victims’ lawsuits.
The Value of Your Motorcycle Accident Damages in Garden Grove
After everything you have been through, you may be anxious to find out exactly how much compensation you could expect to be awarded. You may even spend hours on the Internet looking up “average motorcycle accident settlement amounts”. Unfortunately, none of those answers are going to give you insight into how much compensation you could recover.
There are far too many factors at play that make it impossible to determine an “average” settlement amount. However, your Garden Grove motorcycle accident attorney with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can closely review the various damages you have experienced to ensure we leave no loss unaccounted for.
Economic Damages
We often categorize damages to ensure we are accurately calculating the value of your motorcycle accident claim. The first category of losses is economic damages. These are strictly financial losses that can be verified quite easily with financial records such as bank statements, receipts, repair quotes, And other documents.
Examples of economic damages that may be available in motorcycle accident insurance and civil claims include:
- Ambulance bills
- Lost income
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Co-pays
- Diminished earning potential
- Loss of benefits provided by the company you work for
- Diagnostic testing expenses
- Ongoing physical therapy or mental health counseling
- Medical home accommodations
- Damage to your credit score
- Medical equipment and devices
- Future healthcare expenses
- Increased motorcycle insurance premiums
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are the second category of losses. These can be more difficult to evaluate as their impact is subjective and they do not have a fixed financial value. Intangible losses are often felt far more serious than financial damages, which is why they need to be accounted for accordingly.
Examples of potential non-economic damages that you may be able to recover in your motorcycle accident claim include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental anguish and psychological trauma
- Feelings of embarrassment or shame
- Inconvenience
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement, permanent disability, and skin scarring
Punitive Damages
A third category of damages that could be paid out in your motorcycle accident case is punitive damages. However, while the economic and non-economic damages are compensatory, punitive damages are not an entitlement. You can only reasonably expect to be awarded punitive damages if the defendant engaged in malicious, intentional, or grossly negligent conduct.
Per California Civil Code Section 3294, punitive, or exemplary damages will not be awarded in every motorcycle accident or personal injury case. They will only be issued if the court system finds it appropriate to punish the liable party further. Additionally, punitive damages could be issued if the judge wants to send a message to the Garden Grove community that they are taking cases like yours seriously.
It is in your best interests to have your Garden Grove car accident lawyer take a closer look at the insurance policy and settlement offer you received to determine whether it is enough to meet your needs. If it is not, we will be prepared to renegotiate the settlement offer to a more reasonable figure.
Garden Grove Motorcycle Accident FAQs
Many costs come with filing a motorcycle accident claim. Not only will we need to pay the filing fees, but there is also the cost of hiring accident reconstructionists, analysts to review forensic evidence, court deposition fees, and other expenses that will arise along the way. We may need to request copies of driving records, blood alcohol test results, and other official documents that can help prove the defendant’s liability for your damages.
Thankfully, you do not need to cover these costs on your own. When you hire a Garden Grove motorcycle accident attorney from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys you do not need to pay anything out of your own pocket. We cover every expense related to pursuing your personal injury lawsuit. This way, you do not need to worry about anything other than your healing journey. We work for you on contingency in accordance with Rule 1.5 Fees for Legal Services by the State Bar of California to ensure that you can get the legal help you need no matter what your financial situation may be after a motorcycle wreck.
Fault insurance is the way the state of California handles insurance claims. Under California Insurance Code – INS § 11580.1, at-fault parties are held accountable for the injuries and damages victims suffer as a result of their negligence. This means the liable party will be responsible for covering the total value of your economic and non-economic damages. For that reason, most motorcycle accident cases begin with insurance claims.
The driver who hit you should have auto insurance coverage as required by the California Department of Insurance. If they do not, you may not be able to file a claim with their insurance provider. If they do, you can file a claim against their auto insurance policy and seek the maximum amount payable based on the policy terms. Your insurance settlement will be limited by how much coverage the policyholder has purchased.
If they only purchased the bare minimum amount of coverage, an insurance settlement may not be enough to fully cover your damages. It is also important to keep in mind that the liable party’s insurance will likely only cover medical bills and motorcycle repair costs. In some cases, your catastrophic injury lawyer may also be able to get them to compensate you for the diminished value of your motorcycle. Settlements are often ill-equipped to ensure injury victims are made whole, which is why it is so important to be prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit as well.
In the days after filing your insurance claim, you may receive a settlement offer from the insurance company. You may be tempted to accept the insurance company settlement offer since you are strapped for cash, it is important to resist the urge until you have had your motorcycle accident lawyer review it. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to make quick settlement offers when they recognize the actual value of the victim’s damages.
Instead of doing the right thing and offering victims the fair compensation they are entitled to, insurance companies will try to tempt you into accepting a fast settlement, because they know you desperately need the money. They are counting on this desperation. Do not give in.
Get Help From a Leading Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Garden Grove, CA Today
Whether you were diagnosed with a debilitating brain injury, catastrophic back injury, serious bone break, or some other type of injury related to your wreck, when your motorcycle accident injuries have had a devastating impact on your life, you should not be stuck covering the costs. Your dedicated Garden Grove motorcycle accident attorney from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can help you get the justice and compensation that is rightfully yours. With our legal team advocating for your rights, you do not need to worry about being taken advantage of by irresponsible parties or bad-faith insurance providers.
We are not afraid to challenge those who owe you a financial obligation. Get help making them pay. Contact our law office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today. You can reach us by phone or through our confidential contact form to get started. When you can finally get caught up on your outstanding expenses and start to pick up the pieces of your life, you will be glad you did.
Garden Grove FAQs
According to the Garden Grove Police Department, bikers over the age of 18 are not required to wear a helmet, though motorcycle helmet use is strongly encouraged.
There are several repairs shops in and around Garden Grove that specialize in motorcycle repairs, including:
- Kings Garage
- SoCal SuperBikes
- Gustin Motorsports
- Quick Shift
- M/S Service and Repair
Garden Grove Points of Interest
A landmark church known for its stunning architecture and beautiful campus.
Location: 13280 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Website: christcathedralcalifornia.org
An annual event celebrating the city’s strawberry-growing history with a parade, carnival, and food.
Location: 12762 Main St, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Website: strawberryfestival.org
A unique and imaginative playground and park for children.
Location: 13630 Atlantis Way, Garden Grove, CA 92844
Website: ggcity.org
A community park with sports facilities, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Location: 9301 Westminster Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92844
Website: ggcity.org
A historical museum showcasing local history and heritage.
Location: 12174 S Euclid St, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Website: gardengrovehistoricalsociety.org
A park designed specifically for dogs to play and socialize.
Location: 13601 Deodara Dr, Garden Grove, CA 92844
Website: ggcity.org
Garden Grove Neighborhoods We Serve
- West Garden Grove
