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.

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.

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.

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.

The first step in any motorcycle accident case is for a skilled attorney to review the incident and identify potentially liable parties. These parties may include individuals, companies, agencies, or organizations, and in some cases, multiple parties may be held responsible. For example, if a delivery driver crashed into your motorcycle while on the job, their employer may also be liable for your injuries and losses.

Next, it is important to determine the value of your claim. You cannot simply request general compensation; you must specify your losses and prove their value. For medical expenses and lost income, our attorneys can review your bills and pay statements. However, other losses are more challenging to calculate. If you require ongoing medical care, you can recover future medical expenses. This often requires analysis by an expert familiar with your treatment needs and the estimated costs. Additionally, calculating future lost earnings can be difficult if you are unable to return to your job.

Other losses are not based on financial records at all. For serious injuries, victims can seek compensation for intangible damages, such as pain and suffering, permanent injuries, and loss of enjoyment of life. It can be challenging to put a dollar amount on your extensive physical and mental suffering, however, our attorneys know how to evaluate your situation and determine the amount of compensation you deserve.

While the law allows you to seek damages from negligent parties, the process is often complex and challenging. It is not uncommon for these parties to resist providing the compensation you deserve. We understand how stressful this can be, so our legal team manages every step for you, keeping you informed of any developments so you can concentrate on your physical recovery.

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.

How An Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help

Seeking compensation often starts with filing an insurance claim, whether it’s with a driver’s auto insurance or a company’s liability insurance, among others. Insurance companies typically try to minimize their liability, so if you attempt to resolve your claim on your own, you will likely receive an inadequate offer. Never accept any insurance settlement without first consulting a skilled Orange County lawyer to handle your claim.

Our attorneys review settlement offers and negotiate for the compensation you truly deserve. If a satisfactory offer is not made, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit in civil court. We manage every aspect of your litigation, always striving for a fair outcome. We are familiar with the tactics insurers and opposing parties use to avoid liability and know how to effectively counter their arguments.

The adverse party will often try to defend against claims by stating you, as the motorcyclist, also acted negligently. Whether the responsibility for your accident lies completely with another driver, or if you share some of the responsibility as the motorcycle operator, it is imperative that you have skillful legal representation.

California law adheres to the concept of comparative negligence. This means that accident victims can still recover damages from another negligent party, even if they were partially at fault. For example, if you are found to be 20 percent at fault and another driver is 80 percent at fault, your recovery would be limited to 80 percent of your losses. Do not be discouraged if someone claims you contributed to the crash. Always discuss your recovery options with an experienced motorcycle attorney who can advise you of your rights based on your specific circumstances.

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.