Palm Springs Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

The attorneys at Crockett Law Group understand how impactful motorcycle accidents can be and are dedicated to helping those injured in a motorcycle crash and those affected like the families of victims who lost their lives in a crash. While injury compensation secured by a Palm Springs motorcycle accident lawyer cannot restore a lost life or guarantee that a paraplegic will ever walk again, it can go a long way in helping improve a victim’s quality of life and may even be used to replace the income a deceased biker would have contributed to his family.

With over 800,000 registered motorcycles, there is no other state with a larger volume of motorcycles in America than California. Interestingly, a large percentage of these motorcycles are registered in Southern California.

The attraction to motorbike riding in California is to be expected considering that the state has the most roads listed on MotorcycleRoads.com’s “Top 100 Motorcycle Roads.” Challenging rides, beautiful views, and an inviting climate help show why there are so many motorcycles on California highways.

However, with so many motorcycles on Californian roads, there are inevitably more motorcycle crashes in California than in any other state in the country. And the bad thing about motorcycle accidents is that they generally lead to devastating spinal and head injuries. Most survivors of fatal motorcycle crashes are often left with permanent brain injuries or paralyzed.

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Palm Springs, California, and would like to pursue compensation for your damages, contact the Palm Springs injury lawyers at Crockett Law Group for professional legal counsel. Call (888) 965-3827 now to start the claim process.

How Can a Palm Springs Motorcycle Lawyer Help with My Compensation Claim?

Having a professional motorcycle accident lawyer handle your compensation claim could increase your chances of being awarded a more substantial settlement. To ensure you get compensated for your damages, the Palm Springs motorcycle accident lawyer you hire will:

• Provide you with the legal counsel and representation you need to successfully pursue a claim. While you reserve the right to seek compensation for property damage and injuries, there are legal obligations that you are required to fulfill when making a claim – and that includes filing the claim itself, a process that involves filing various legal forms and documents. A motorcycle accident lawyer will advise you on what to do while handling all the legal aspects of filing a personal injury claim for you to ensure your case stays on track.
• Work on establishing fault. Determining who’s at fault in a motorbike accident can be difficult since a majority of drivers aren’t willing to admit that the accident is their fault. Once assigned to a case, motorcycle accident attorneys start investigations (collecting evidence, questioning witnesses, etc.) to find out what happened.
• Do their best to protect your interests. Professional motorcycle accident attorneys such as those at Crockett Law Group use their legal skills and knowledge to protect the rights and interests of their clients. Our attorneys will fight vigorously to ensure that you’re well compensated for your injuries and damages.

What are Some of the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

While motorcycle accidents aren’t as frequent as other types of crashes, they tend to be more severe in that they are more likely to end in a fatality or serious injuries. According to federal government statistics, motorcycle accidents result in 35X more deaths than automobile crashes.

One way to reduce accident rates and improve motorcycle safety is to be aware of some of the things that cause crashes. Common causes of motorcycle accidents in America include:

• Vehicles turning left: The most dangerous situation for motorcycle users occurs when vehicles are making left-hand turns. Left-hand turn collisions account for 42 percent of all collisions between bikes and other types of vehicles.
• Head-on collisions. A significant number of motorcycle collisions with vehicles happen when they collide head-on. Data compiled by the NHTSA shows that head-on collision accidents generally result in higher fatality rates than any other type of crash.
• Lane splitting: This is when a biker rides their motorcycle between two lanes, typically during heavy traffic when cars are moving slowly or at a standstill.
• Alcohol impairment and speeding: Approximately half of all single-car motorbike accidents have alcohol use and speeding as a factor.
• Crashes into stationary objects or between motorcycles: Bikers crashing into/with fixed objects results in 25 percent of all motorcycle accident fatalities.
• Road hazards: Things like uneven lanes, icy conditions, objects in the road, and potholes pose significant dangers to bikers since motorcycles are smaller and quite unstable.

Unexpected pedestrian on the road: In some cases, motorcycle accidents occur as a result of pedestrians not checking the road before crossing. Such carelessness often leads to an accident since most motorcycle users see the pedestrian when it’s too late to effectively stop.

The Greatest Lawyer Anyone Can Ask For

“I was riding home on my motorcycle from work one day when a car failed to yield on a left turn, everything happened so quick, next thing I know I was on the floor with people surrounding me making sure I was okay. Not knowing what to expect or how the process goes Kevin walked me through it slowly and meticulously and made sure that I completely understood how things were going to go, he had such a warm reassuring voice that I automatically knew that things were going to be okay. He made sure that I was seen by the best medical practitioners available, which showed me that he cared about my well being and took it serious. He also kept me informed of any changes that were brought up, and also made sure that I in general was okay. I can’t explain how much of a blessing it was to have Kevin Crockett on my side, after a long journey he was able to help me get back on my feet. I am forever grateful and no words can explain how much he has helped me move forward past that horrible experience. ”

Joseph

Palm Springs, California, Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Statistics provided by California’s SWITRS (Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System) tell a very sad story about accidents involving motorcycles in California. According to provided data, over 11,000 California motorcycle users got injured in accidents in 2013, while over 480 lost their lives.

Most of the accidents that injured motorcycle users happened in Southern California counties, and that includes Riverside County, where Palms Springs is located. Here are some statistics of motorcycle accident injuries within five of these counties:

• Los Angeles County 3,509
• San Diego County 1,285
• Orange County 989
• San Bernardino County 525
• Riverside County 627

Does California Have Motorcycle-Specific Laws?

Motorcycle riders in California are required to abide by the same laws that apply to all road users, including automobile drivers. However, it’s worth noting that the state also has specific laws that only apply to motorcycle riders and are meant to protect them as well as other road users.

• In California, all motorcyclists are required by law to obtain a learner’s permit before they can apply for a license. A motorcycle rider under 21 years must have held a permit for no less than 6 months before he or she can apply for a license.
• According to California Vehicle Code 27803, motorcycle riders and drivers must have a helmet on at all times. Furthermore, their helmets should be compliant with the standards set by the United States Department of Transportation.
• As per California Vehicle Code 26709, all motorbikes should be equipped with left and right mirrors.
• According to California Vehicle Code 27801, handlebars shouldn’t be installed in any position that puts the operator’s hands more than 6-inches above their shoulder while seated.
• Working turn signals, both rear and front, are needed for all bikes built and registered after January 1, 1973.

Furthermore, anyone who owns and operates a motorcycle is required to carry some forms of liability insurance:

• 30,000 USD for bodily injuries to multiple victims
• 15,000 USD for bodily injury to an individual
• 5,000 USD for property damage

In California, if a biker gets involved in a crash and doesn’t carry the minimum insurance coverage amounts, he/she faces a one-year suspension of their driver’s license.

What are Some of the Most Common Injuries Experienced in Motorcycle Accidents?

While motorcycle accidents differ, the injuries that victims suffer don’t, and so do the deaths. Since both the passenger and driver are exposed, motorcycle crashes or collisions often cause similar injuries. Some of the injuries associated with these accidents include:

Broken Bones

Legs, which part of the lower body, are more prone to suffering serious injuries in a motorcycle accident. Broken leg bones typically require extensive treatment and usually take time to heal. Besides that, the harm caused might result in temporary or even permanent disabilities.

Road Rash

Falling on asphalt from a moving motorbike could leave a rider with serious bruising, especially if they were not wearing any protective gear. While most abrasions are treatable and heal with time, most typically leave those injured with traumatic scarring.

Brain and Head Injuries

NHTSA statistics show that helmets are crucial to bikers as they can help save their lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this protective headgear saves the lives of over 1,000 bikers involved in motorcycle accidents each year. However, it’s worth noting that helmets aren’t a foolproof solution for preventing brain and head injuries that tend to lead to temporary and permanent mental damage.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Bikers can sustain serious spinal injuries and damage when they get ejected off their motorcycle and hit the ground. Spinal cord injuries can be severe and may even result in complete or partial paralysis, leaving the victim fully dependent on the assistance of machines or others.

How is Fault Determined in a Palm Springs Motorcycle Accident?

While some motorcycle accidents in California present situations in which one of the parties is clearly the victim and the other is obviously at fault, it’s not uncommon for either of one of the involved parties to be partially at fault. The courts in the State of California use something known as the “pure comparative fault” method to determine who is eligible to recover compensation for injuries suffered.

In pure comparative fault, accident victims may recover compensation for injuries suffered even if they’re partly at fault. Moreover, defendants may only be liable to accident victims for the percentage they – the victims – are at fault. As such, if the jury rules that the accuser was partly at fault, the presiding judge might reduce the accuser’s recovery amount by the percentage they are at fault.

Something worth noting about the pure comparative fault analysis is that motorists who are more than 50 percent at fault are still eligible to recover compensation for injuries suffered; albeit at a reduction of the percentage, they are at fault.

What Type of Compensation Can Victims Receive from Their Motorcycle Accident?

If you’ve been involved in a motorbike accident and are thinking of pursuing a claim, consider hiring the services of a reputable and experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. The personal injury attorneys at Crockett Law Group here in Palm Springs, California, are your best bet if what you’re looking for is to get fairly compensated for your injuries and damages. As your legal advisor and representative, we will aggressively pursue your case to ensure you get compensated for:

Economic Damages

These cover your treatment, medical diagnosis, recovery assistance, and physical therapy costs. Economic damages also cover lost wages and losses whose monetary value can be determined.

Non-Economic Damages

These cover losses that you incurred but whose monetary value can’t be determined or that don’t have a specific value such as paralysis, physical disfigurement, and others. While pursuing non-economic damages is generally an uphill task, our attorneys are committed to ensuring that the court understands how these losses impact your life and why the party responsible needs to be held responsible.

Punitive Damages

We usually opt to take this path if, from our investigations, we find out that the responsible party acted indifferently when they caused the accident. Seeking punitive damages is something that requires sufficient evidence and means leveraging all resources at our disposal.

Local Results

Man Awarded $100,000 Settlement After Being Ejected and Fracturing Leg in Motorcycle T-Bone Collision

Why was My Motorbike Accident Claim Denied?

Sometimes, motorbike accident claim might get denied by an insurer due to several reasons. These include:

The policy lapsed or was canceled

A motorbike accident might be denied if the offender’s policy was canceled or has lapsed. In such an event, the offender’s insurer can’t be held liable for damage or losses caused by their client.

The motorbike rider wasn’t insured under the policy

Your claim may also be denied if the motorcyclist responsible for causing the crash wasn’t covered by their policy.

You are partly to blame for the accident

Another thing that could lead to your claim being denied is if the jury concludes that you’re partly to blame for the accident. If such a determination is reached, then you’ll have to cater for your losses.

You didn’t sustain any injuries

Your motorbike accident claim could also end up being denied if the court learns that you didn’t sustain injuries during the accident.

You can’t prove that your injuries are due to the accident

If you are unable to prove that your injuries were sustained during the accident, your claim could end up being denied.

Are There Any Time Limits to Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in California?

Motorcycle accidents, just like car crashes, have a time limit that’s capped at two years from the day the accident happened as per the California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1. If you fail to file your case within this period, you forfeit your right to pursue compensation. For claims against the government – for instance, a state or city worker hits you while they are on duty – you only have 6 months from the day the accident happened to file your claim.

Get in Touch with the Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Crockett Law Group for Professional Legal Counsel and Representation

Hiring the right Palm Springs motorcycle accident lawyer can make a world of difference in your case and the compensation you receive. At Crockett Law Group, results are paramount, which is why our lawyers do their best to aggressively pursue justice for you with your goals and objectives driving our efforts. To us, you are more than just a case number, which is why we ensure that you have 24/7 access to your motorcycle accident lawyer and that we keep you up-to-date at all stages of your case.

For professional and reputable legal counsel and representation in Palm Springs, California, get in touch with Crockett Law Group. Our consultation meetings are free of charge and have no strings attached. To have your motorcycle accident case evaluated, call (888) 965-3827 now and schedule a meeting today.