A motorcycle accident can be devasting physically, emotionally, and financially. Navigating the aftermath alone can be daunting without experienced counsel in Torrance, California. At The Simon Law Group, our Torrance motorcycle accident lawyers specialize in representing those affected by motorcycle accidents.
Whether you are dealing with medical bills, lost wages, or the emotional toll of your accident, our Torrance motorcycle accident attorneys will guide you through every step of the legal process. Contact our office today at (424) 622-0812 for help with your Torrance, California motorcycle accident case.
Why Should I Hire the Simon Law Group After My Torrance Motorcycle Accident?
You may contemplate the benefits of hiring a lawyer after your Torrance, CA motorcycle accident. Hiring a lawyer who specializes in these accidents can significantly influence the outcome of your case and the compensation you recover. At Simon Law Group, our team has 250 years of combined experience in personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents. We have helped clients and motorcyclists recover over $600 million in compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.
By choosing the Simon Law Group’s Torrance motorcycle accident lawyers, you will work with some of the most experienced lawyers in the business.
Our Torrance personal injury accident lawyers will use their experience to help you:
- Evaluate your accident
- Determine how it occurred
- Investigate liability
- Collect accident reports, surveillance footage, and other evidence
- Retain expert witnesses
- File insurance claims
- Refute allegations of contributory negligence
- Negotiate maximum settlements
- Represent you at trial
- Represent you on appeal, if necessary
Schedule a free consultation with our Torrance motorcycle accident lawyers if you or a loved one has been injured.
What Causes Torrance Motorcycle Accidents?
Several common factors typically cause California motorcycle accidents, according to the Berkely Safe Transportation and Education Center, which reports crash safety data.
The primary factors for fatal and severe California motorcycle crashes were the following:
- Unsafe speeds
- Improper turning
- Automobile right of way
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Traffic signals and signs
These factors contributed to serious accidents where motorcyclists were broadsided, rear-ended, or sideswiped by other vehicles on California roadways. Unfortunately, these factors also contributed to nearly 540 deaths in 2020, up nearly 10 percent from the previous year. Many fatalities could be prevented with safe driving practices like obeying speed limits, right of way, and other traffic laws.
What Are Damages, and What Damages May I Recover for My Torrance Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you know how catastrophic it may be. Motorcycle accidents are notorious for causing serious injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship. In the face of these challenges, you may wonder what compensation you can recover by filing a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit.
The compensation you can recover is known as your “damages.” This money, usually paid by the person who caused the accident or their insurance company, is meant to cover your accident-related injuries and losses. There are several types of damages that you may be entitled to recover in a Torrance motorcycle accident:
Medical Expenses
This is the most immediate form of post-accident damage. Compensation for medical expenses can cover everything from emergency room visits and hospital stays to surgeries, medications or physical therapy. Ongoing medical treatments for accident-related injuries may also be compensated.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages if the accident prevented you from working. This includes income lost while recovering and any future earnings lost if injuries affect your long-term ability to work.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your motorcycle accident. Unlike medical expenses or lost wages, these damages recognize that motorcycle injuries may significantly impact your quality of life and well-being.
Property Damage
You may be entitled to compensation for the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle and other property damaged in the accident.
Wrongful Death Damages
Motorcycle accidents may be fatal. If a motorcycle accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may be entitled to wrongful death damages. These may include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost future income, loss of companionship, and other losses.
California law can affect the type and amount of damages recoverable in your motorcycle accident case. Comparative negligence laws, for example, may reduce your compensation if you are found partially at fault for the accident. This makes determining the exact amount of damages in any case difficult. If you have been involved in a Torrance motorcycle accident, consult with a Torrance motorcycle accident lawyer today.
What Is Negligence, and What Are Examples of Torrance Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents usually occur when another driver fails to act reasonably and puts the health and safety of others at risk. When drivers fail to act how a reasonable person would and cause injury or harm, this is known as negligence. Negligence is a key concept in motorcycle accident cases.
Negligence can arise in many forms, and understanding how it applies to your case can help identify who may be liable for the aftermath.
Examples of negligence in Torrance motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding
- Lane splitting
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Making an improper left turn
- Following too closely
Negligence becomes essential for establishing liability and pursuing compensation. The specific circumstances of your accident and the actions of each party will always determine how it is applied. This means no two cases are the same. A Torrance motorcycle accident lawyer can help you identify negligence that may be responsible for your accident.
What if I’m Partly Liable for My Motorcycle Accident in Torrance?
Liability is not always clear-cut in many motorcycle accidents. In fact, there are instances where you, as the motorcyclist, may share some responsibility for the accident and your injuries. This can significantly impact your compensation because of California’s comparative negligence laws. Understanding how this partial liability may affect your claim if you believe you share some responsibility.
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system. Under this system, you can still recover damages if you are partially at fault for your motorcycle accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by the amount of fault attributed to you.
For example, let’s assume you are involved in a Torrance motorcycle accident. The court finds you 20 percent at fault for the incident. If your total damages amount to $100,000, your recoverable compensation would be reduced by 20 percent, leaving you eligible to receive $80,000.
You may be found partially responsible if you were speeding, failing to yield, following too closely, or not wearing protective gear at the time of the accident. However, determining comparative fault in motorcycle accidents is often more complex. It requires analyzing multiple factors, including traffic laws, accident reports, witness statements, and physical evidence from the accident scene.
Given the complexities involved in shared liability cases, speaking with a Torrance motorcycle accident lawyer is advisable. They will ensure fault is fairly assigned in your case, and your rights are fully protected.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Torrance Motorcycle Accident?
You may need to file a lawsuit for compensation if you cannot settle your motorcycle accident claim with an insurance company. This makes understanding the timeframe for filing a lawsuit after a Torrance motorcycle accident very important. California law imposes deadlines for filing lawsuits known as the “statute of limitations.” California’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents, is two years from the accident date.
If you attempt to file a lawsuit more than two years after your accident, your case will likely be dismissed, and you will lose the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
There are a few notable exceptions to this two-year rule. However, speaking with a Torrance motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible is always advisable. A lawyer can advise you of the statute of limitations applicable to your case and help you protect your rights.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire the Simon Law Group’s Torrance Motorcycle Accident Lawyers?
At the Simon Law Group, we recognize the cost of legal representation is a significant concern for many people after a motorcycle accident. Our team is committed to helping you maximize your compensation for an accident at as little financial cost as possible.
Our Torrance motorcycle accident lawyers work exclusively on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay upfront fees or hourly rates. Instead, our fees are contingent upon successfully resolving your case. We take a fixed percentage of the final court award or settlement, but only if we win your case on your behalf.
Contact Our Torrance Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, navigating injury, loss, and legal uncertainty is too challenging to manage alone. At the Simon Law Group, our Torrance motorcycle accident lawyers are committed to providing the legal representation you need to recover.
We understand the challenges of motorcycle accident claims in Torrance, California. Our team stands ready to advocate on your behalf for maximum compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.