Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Dedicated Motorcycle Accident Attorneys In Orange County, California

Each year in the United States, approximately 50,000 people are injured in motorcycle accidents, and 3,000 lose their lives. Due to the increased vulnerability of motorcyclists and the recklessness of other drivers, motorcycle injuries are often devastating, frequently involving spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic harm. Motorcycle accidents in Orange County require specialized legal expertise. Given the numerous complexities that can arise in a motorcycle injury or accident case, it is crucial to consult with an experienced Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer before signing any documents or admitting fault.

If you or a loved one has sustained motorcycle injuries or death as a result of an accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your financial and emotional losses. Let the competent and caring Orange County motorcycle accident lawyers at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn evaluate your case FREE of charge and determine your best course of action. Please contact us today for a complimentary consultation or call our Orange County personal injury lawyers.

Motorcycle FAQ’s

Liable parties in a motorcycle accident can include individuals, companies, agencies, or organizations. For instance, if a delivery driver collides with your motorcycle while performing job duties, both the driver and their employer may be held responsible for your injuries and losses.
Determining the value of a claim involves specifying and proving your losses. Medical expenses and lost income can be substantiated through bills and pay statements. For ongoing medical care, future medical expenses may be recovered, often requiring expert analysis to estimate costs. Calculating future lost earnings can be complex, especially if you're unable to return to your previous job.
Victims of serious injuries can seek compensation for non-financial damages such as pain and suffering, permanent injuries, and loss of enjoyment of life. Assigning a monetary value to these intangible losses can be challenging, but experienced attorneys can evaluate your situation to determine appropriate compensation.
The process of seeking damages from negligent parties is often complex and challenging. Responsible parties may resist providing the compensation you deserve. Having a legal team manage every step of the process can alleviate stress, allowing you to focus on your physical recovery while staying informed of any developments.
The initial step is for a skilled attorney to review the incident and identify potentially liable parties. Subsequently, it's crucial to determine the value of your claim by specifying and proving your losses, which may include medical expenses, lost income, and non-financial damages. Throughout this process, having legal representation can help navigate the complexities and challenges of obtaining rightful compensation.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Many motorcycle accidents result from another party’s negligence, product defects, or road hazards. The following factors often lead to severe injuries:

  1. Poor Weather Conditions: Adverse weather such as rain, snow, strong winds, and hail can make riding a motorcycle more dangerous. Additionally, some drivers, especially those in large trucks or SUVs, may continue to drive fast despite poor visibility or slick roads, failing to see motorcycles or stop in time on icy or wet roads.
  2. Defective Motorcycle Parts or Poor Maintenance: Motorcycle manufacturers must sell safe bikes. Defective components, such as tires or brakes, can malfunction and cause crashes. For example, if brakes fail on the highway, a motorcyclist may lose control and collide with another vehicle. Similarly, improper maintenance by a mechanic can lead to malfunctions.
  3. Vision Obstructions: Buildings or traffic can make motorcyclists less visible to other drivers. Roads should be designed to maximize visibility, and drivers should be aware of potential obstructions. Distracted drivers, in particular, may not see motorcyclists when vision is obstructed, increasing the risk of collisions.
  4. Violation of Motorcyclist’s Right of Way: Motorcyclists have the same rights on the road as other vehicles. However, some drivers may be impatient and fail to yield properly, leading to accidents when a motorcycle is cut off or pushed off the road.
  5. Failure to Comply with Traffic Laws: All drivers are expected to follow traffic laws. Common violations leading to motorcycle accidents include speeding, failing to yield, running traffic signals, tailgating, aggressive driving, reckless driving, drunk driving, and distracted driving.
  6. Road Hazards: Debris, potholes, puddles, and uneven pavement can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists, who must constantly maintain their balance. Hitting a pothole can cause a motorcyclist to fly forward off their bike, while other hazards can throw them off balance, leading to crashes.

“Richard Cohn was professional and understanding. At Aitken Aitken Cohn we were treated like family with love, respect, and compassion. “

B.F. – Client Review

Motorcycle accidents and injuries can occur suddenly and without warning. One moment you may be enjoying a ride in the California sunshine, and the next, you could be lying on the pavement with serious injuries, fearing for your life. An instant can have lasting consequences, potentially affecting you for months, years, or even permanently. Such an accident can drastically alter your life, leading to a long, painful recovery and overwhelming financial losses.

If you believe another party caused your motorcycle accident, you should never hesitate to call our Orange County motorcycle accident lawyers for help.

Devastating Injuries To Motorcyclists

The consequences of a motorbike accident are usually severe—nearly 80 percent of all motorcycle crashes result in serious injury or death. A wide variety of injuries can result from a crash, as nearly every part of a motorcyclist’s body is exposed to the impact with another vehicle, the pavement, or another object. Many motorcyclists suffer multiple injuries to multiple parts of their body, including severe injuries that are not visible to the eye. While every case is different, some of the most frequent injuries include:

  • Internal organ damage – Any time the body experiences severe trauma, internal injuries can occur. Motorcyclists can suffer a range of internal injuries, including punctured lungs, damage to the spleen, kidneys, or liver, broken pelvis or ribs, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or ruptured diaphragm. While you may not be able to see these injuries immediately, they require emergency care or they can be life-threatening. Every motorcycle accident victim should undergo an immediate evaluation to determine whether they have suffered any internal injuries.
  • Bone fractures – Even minor broken bones need medical attention and can keep you from working, driving, or engaging in other regular activities. Motorcycle accidents can often result in significantly more serious broken bones. Multiple fractures or compound fractures can require surgery, as doctors often must insert hardware to help the bone for it to heal properly. Sometimes, subsequent surgeries are required, and each one will have a significant recovery time. If a motorcycle lands on top of a rider, a bone may be shattered or crushed and doctors may never be able to fully repair it.
  • Loss of limbs – Sometimes crushed limbs is not repairable, even with multiple surgeries. In such cases, the limb may need to be amputated and replaced with a prosthetic. Motorcycle accidents can sometimes result in a severed extremity or limb, as well, and doctors may not be able to reattach it. Any amputation—even of a finger—can significantly change the way you live. In addition, even basic prosthetics are expensive and must be replaced over time, leading to ongoing costs for the rest of your life. Losing a body part can also be physically and emotionally painful.
  • A permanent disability such as paraplegia and quadriplegia – The spinal cord is particularly susceptible to damage and injury in a motorcycle accident. When the spinal cord is severed or seriously injured, victims can be permanently paralyzed below the injury. If the injury is in the lower spine, they may suffer from paraplegia, which is paralysis of the pelvis and legs. If the injury is in the upper spine, they may suffer from quadriplegia, which is the loss of functioning of all four limbs and the torso. Paralysis may also affect the functioning of certain organs, including the lungs, bladder, bowels, and sexual organs. Complete paralysis is irreversible and life-altering for victims and their families.
  • Long-term damage to soft tissue and skin (road rash) – “Road rash” is a friction burn that occurs when a motorcyclist’s skin comes in contact with a rough surface, such as pavement or a gravel shoulder of a highway. Like any other burn, friction burns can damage many layers of skin and can require burn treatments to prevent infection. Such burn injuries can often leave a victim with permanent scars. Motorcycle accidents can also cause tears and other damage to tendons, ligaments, and muscles, which may require extensive physical therapy or surgery.
  • Traumatic brain injury – Many motorcyclists hit their heads in a crash. Even if a motorcyclist is wearing an approved safety helmet, such violent head trauma can still result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI occurs when the brain hits the skull, damaging the brain tissue. Depending on where the injury occurs in the brain, this injury can cause cognitive, physical, and/or behavioral disabilities. Some TBI victims can recover with months or years of rehabilitation, however, many will be left with permanent disabilities. This is known as a “silent” injury, since it is not visibly obvious, so it can be particularly difficult to live with.

Any of the above injuries can significantly disrupt your life. Whether you need weeks of rest, months of physical therapy, or years of ongoing struggles, most motorcycle injuries are extremely challenging to handle. They can prevent you from working, caring for your family, participating in physical and recreational activities, or even taking care of yourself. Additionally, you will likely face debilitating medical bills.

Our Orange County motorcycle accident lawyers understand the impact severe injuries can have on our clients’ lives. We are dedicated to vigorously defending the rights of accident victims and aggressively negotiating for the compensation they deserve. We do not back down until each client receives the best possible outcome.

Your Rights As A Motorcyclist

If you or a loved one has been injured or suffered wrongful death in a motorcycle accident in Orange County, you may be entitled to recover damages, including medical bills, lost income or earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Depending on the circumstances of the case, another driver, product manufacturer, government entity, or other negligent third party may be held accountable for your losses.

“Your wonderful expertise made an unfortunate and life-changing accident a little more tolerable with less stress for me.”

G.H. – Client Review

Orange County Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Causes Of Orange County Motorcycle Accidents

Most motorcycle accidents are caused by the recklessness of other drivers, product defects, or poor weather conditions. Each accident has unique circumstances, however, most of the common factors that result in accidents and injuries include:

  • The negligence of another driver while switching lanes.
  • Obstructions on the road.
  • Harsh weather conditions.
  • Product or manufacturing defects in the bike, or inadequate maintenance/repairs.
  • Potholes, puddles, uneven pavement, debris.

How we will seek compensation on your behalf will depend largely on what caused your crash and the nature of your damages. While some law firms treat every case like a file number, we know each client and claim has unique needs and concerns and we handle every case with the individualized attention it deserves.

What to Expect: A Clear Path Forward After Your Motorcycle Accident

Navigating the legal process after a motorcycle accident can be overwhelming. At Aitken Aitken Cohn, we are committed to providing clear communication and guidance every step of the way. Our process typically involves:

  • Free Initial Consultation: We’ll discuss your accident, assess your case, and answer your questions with no obligation.
  • In-Depth Investigation: Our team will thoroughly investigate your accident, gathering evidence, speaking to witnesses, and working with accident reconstruction experts if necessary.
  • Aggressive Negotiation: We will vigorously negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
  • Trial Readiness: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial to fight for maximum compensation.”

How Our Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Fight For You

Navigating the aftermath of a motorcycle accident in Orange County requires experienced legal help. While dealing with your injuries and recovery, you’ll also face the complex process of seeking compensation, typically through insurance claims. However, insurance companies are businesses focused on minimizing payouts. If you handle your claim alone, you risk receiving a settlement offer far below what you need and deserve.

This is where the skilled legal team at Aitken Aitken Cohn makes a critical difference. With decades of experience handling motorcycle accident cases throughout Orange County, we understand the tactics insurance adjusters use to undervalue claims or place unfair blame on riders.

Our attorneys step in immediately to:

  • Conduct a thorough, independent investigation of your accident, gathering crucial evidence that the insurance company might overlook or ignore.
  • Handle all communication and negotiation with the at-fault party’s insurance company, protecting you from their strategies.
  • Accurately assess the full value of your damages, including current and future medical needs, lost income, pain, and suffering.
  • Aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation on your behalf, leveraging our proven track record and willingness to go to trial.

We know that insurance companies often attempt to use California’s comparative negligence law to reduce your recovery by claiming you were partially at fault. Our lawyers are highly experienced in countering these arguments. We will work tirelessly to minimize any attributed fault and protect your right to full compensation, even if the complex rules of comparative negligence apply to your situation. Don’t let insurers take advantage of you during this challenging time. Let our dedicated Orange County motorcycle accident lawyers fight for the justice and financial recovery you deserve.

Contact An Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating and stressful for everyone involved, and you can be certain that the negligent party will not provide compensation without a fight. Aitken * Aitken * Cohn has successfully helped many motorcycle accident victims secure the financial recovery they deserve, enabling them to move forward with their lives. We handle complex accident and injury cases and are ready to discuss your potential claim with you. For more information about your legal rights and options, please contact us today or call to consult with a qualified and experienced Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer, free of charge.