Were you or a loved one injured in a motorcycle accident in Walnut Creek, CA? You may be entitled to significant compensation. If someone else caused the crash, an experienced Walnut Creek motorcycle accident lawyer at The Herman Firm can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Since 2014, we’ve worked tirelessly to recover fair compensation for our injured clients. We’ve succeeded in winning millions of dollars for accident victims in the bay area over the years.
There’s no fee unless we win, and your initial consultation is always free of charge. Call our law offices in Walnut Creek, California at 925-532-1977 to schedule your free consultation today, or contact us online.
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How The Herman Firm Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Walnut Creek
The time following a motorcycle accident can be extremely difficult. You may be struggling with painful injuries and uncertainty about the future. While it isn’t fair, it can also be very difficult to recover fair compensation.
Fighting the insurance companies can seem impossible. Our experienced Walnut Creek personal injury lawyers at The Herman Firm can help. We have nearly ten years of experience handling complex accident and injury cases. We know every insurance trick in the book and can help you cut through the red tape.
We can help with your case by:
- Handling a thorough investigation into the accident
- Establishing liability and identifying all insurance coverage options
- Working with top-rated experts and specialists who can help us win your case
- Fighting back if the insurance company unfairly blames you for the accident
- Calculating the fair value of your losses
- Negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf
Our founding attorney has been recognized as a California Super Lawyers’ Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney and a Super Lawyers’ Rising Star. We’ve also earned membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
We know that every dollar counts when you’re seriously hurt. Call today to learn more about creating an attorney-client relationship with a respected Walnut Creek personal injury attorney.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Walnut Creek, CA?
California has more registered motorcycles than any other U.S. state. Over 808,000 motorcycles are registered statewide. It’s not entirely surprising that motorcycle crashes are relatively common in California.
In 2020, 539 motorcycle accident fatalities were reported in California. Around 35 of those victims weren’t wearing a helmet. Approximately 10,122 motorcyclists were injured in motor vehicle accidents that year.
According to preliminary data, 230 motorcycle wrecks occurred in Contra Costa County in 2021. Out of those, 226 injuries were reported, and four people were killed. In other words, every single motorcycle accident reported county-wide during 2021 caused at least some type of injury or death.
What Is My Walnut Creek Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
It’s important to remember that no two motorcycle accident cases are exactly the same. Your injury will impact you in unique ways. Your losses won’t be quite the same as someone else who sustained the same injuries.
The value of your personal injury case depends on:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether your injuries prevent you from working or returning to work in the future
- The cost of your medical treatment and other expenses
- Your anticipated future needs and costs
- How the injury will impact your quality of life and lifestyle
- Whether you share any blame for the accident
Motorcyclists often face unfair stigma. The insurance company might try to blame you for getting on the bike in the first place. You don’t have to stand by and accept less than you deserve. Our lawyers at The Herman Firm know how to stand up to the insurance company, so give us a call for help today.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims?
The cost of treating motorcycle accident injuries can be shocking. If someone else was responsible, you could fight to recover compensation for your financial losses and your personal, non-financial “costs.”
In a successful personal injury case, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and anticipated future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Lost future earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- In-home assistance
- Specialized care
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent physical disfigurement and scarring
- Mental conditions, including anxiety and depression
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
You may also be entitled to compensation for wrongful death if you lost a family member in a fatal accident.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Motorcycle Accident in California?
California has a pure comparative negligence rule. After an accident, liability is assigned to each party based on their percentage of fault. Even injured parties can share fault for a motorcycle crash.
You don’t lose your right to seek compensation if you’re blamed. Instead, your compensation can be reduced to account for your percentage of fault. If you were 20% responsible, you remain entitled to 80% of your damages.
Of course, assigning blame isn’t always clear-cut. The insurance company will probably try to pin at least some of the blame on you. That’s not always fair. You can count on our lawyers to challenge any allegations that you share fault for your injuries and fight to minimize your own liability after an accident.
We Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycles are about 29 times more likely to be killed in a crash than occupants in enclosed motor vehicles.
Even in a nonfatal crash, motorcycle riders often suffer the most severe injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Burns and degloving injuries
- Crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage
- Nerve injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
You might be facing a long road to recovery if you were injured in a crash. You can count on our lawyers to stand by your side every step of the way. Call our law firm in Walnut Creek for the legal advice you deserve and to schedule a free case evaluation.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Walnut Creek, California?
California can be a great place to ride. It’s no secret that the state offers scenic vistas that can be tough to resist. Still, motorcycle crashes can occur even in ideal riding conditions.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Sudden and dangerous turns in front of a motorcycle
- Abruptly cutting off a motorcycle rider
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating, speeding, and aggressive driving
- Passing too closely
- Speeding through an intersection to beat a yellow light
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Fatigued driving
- Poorly marked construction zones and other hazardous road conditions
- Defects in the motorcycle or another vehicle
- Inexperienced drivers
Accidents can and do happen even when you’re careful. After all, you can’t control other drivers. If you were injured and suspect someone else was responsible, call our Walnut Creek motorcycle accident attorneys to learn more about your legal options.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident in California?
When someone else causes an accident, you have the right to seek compensation like any other car accident victim. However, the at-fault party won’t automatically hand over a check. You’ll have to prove that someone else was to blame to recover damages. Typically, that means proving negligence.
There are four things you’ll have to prove to establish negligence:
- A legal duty of care
- A breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
So, you’ll have to prove that someone else made a mistake, and the mistake caused your accident and injuries.
You can prove negligence using almost any type of evidence, including:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Eyewitness testimony
- Video surveillance footage, including dashcam recordings
- Hard evidence from the crash scene, including skid marks and vehicle damage
- Statements from medical experts
- Testimony from accident reconstruction specialists
It can be hard to locate the evidence you need from a hospital bed. Our lawyers can take the lead and conduct a comprehensive investigation into your accident. That way, you can rest assured that you have a team fighting to build the strongest personal injury case possible while you recover.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in California?
The statute of limitations limits the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Under California law, you have two years to take action.
The clock starts to run on the date of your accident, so you don’t have time to waste if you were hurt. Our lawyers can take steps to preserve your right to compensation today, so reach out to our legal team for assistance.
Contact a Walnut Creek Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you deserve an experienced lawyer who will protect your legal rights and stand up to the insurance companies. Call a Walnut Creek motorcycle accident lawyer at The Herman Firm to schedule a free consultation to learn more. We serve clients across Northern California and the east bay, including San Francisco.