Stockton Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Why Are Motorcycle Accidents Often More Severe?

Motorcycle accidents often cause more severe injuries than car crashes because riders lack seat belts, airbags, and a protective frame. Even low-speed crashes can cause significant trauma if the rider is thrown or struck directly.

Many drivers fail to notice motorcycles or misjudge their speed and distance. Due to poor visibility and rider exposure, outcomes are often devastating. Motorcycle accident claims often involve steep medical bills, longer recoveries, and greater long-term effects.

How Can a Stockton Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help?

Motorcycle accident claims often involve disputes over fault and the severity of injuries. A Stockton motorcycle accident lawyer helps level the playing field.

Here’s how:

• Investigating the crash. An attorney investigates the circumstances surrounding the accident by reviewing reports, speaking with witnesses, and examining physical evidence.
• Challenging insurance bias. Insurance companies frequently stereotype motorcyclists as reckless. A lawyer works to challenge these biases and keep the focus on the facts of the case.
• Calculating the full value of the claim. Motorcycle injuries often have long-term consequences. An attorney evaluates both immediate and future losses so that the claim more fully reflects the true impact of the crash.
• Handling negotiations and litigation. If a fair settlement is not offered, a motorcycle accident lawyer prepares the case for litigation and represents the client in court if necessary.

By carefully managing the legal process, Silva Injury Law helps injured riders focus on their recovery while their claim is handled with diligence and care.

What Is the Average Settlement for Motorcycle Accidents?

There is no true “average” settlement for motorcycle accident cases. Every claim is different, and settlement values depend on the specific facts of the crash, the severity of the injuries, and how the accident has affected the rider’s life. Cases involving similar accidents can yield very different outcomes depending on these details.

Several factors commonly influence the value of a motorcycle accident settlement, including:

• The severity and permanence of the injuries;
• The cost of medical treatment, including future care needs;
• Time missed from work and any reduction in earning capacity;
• The degree of fault assigned to each party;
• The availability of insurance coverage; and
• How clearly the evidence shows negligence.

A Stockton motorcycle accident lawyer can review the facts of your case and provide guidance on what may be reasonable to expect based on your specific circumstances.

FAQs

What Injuries Are Common in Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents frequently cause severe injuries that require extensive treatment and recovery.

Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries,
• Spinal cord injuries,
• Paralysis,
• Complex fractures,
• Road rash,
• Internal organ damage, and
• Long-term nerve damage.

These injuries can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. An accident attorney can help advocate for these impacts to be fully considered when pursuing compensation.

What Is the Deadline to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in California?

California law places strict deadlines on motorcycle accident injury claims. In most cases, an injured rider has two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit.

If a claim is filed after the deadline passes, courts will typically dismiss the case, regardless of how serious the injuries are or how clear the other party’s fault may be.

Because evidence can be lost and witnesses’ memories fade over time, speaking with a motorcycle accident lawyer early can help preserve critical information and protect your right to seek compensation.

What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

Being partially at fault does not automatically prevent an injured motorcyclist from recovering compensation. California follows a comparative fault system, which allows injured parties to recover damages even if they share responsibility for the accident. However, the amount recovered is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them.

For example, if a rider is found to be 20% at fault, any compensation awarded would be reduced by that amount. Insurance companies often attempt to exaggerate a rider’s share of fault, which is why having legal representation can be important when liability is disputed.

How Is Fault Determined in a Motorcycle Accident?

Fault in a motorcycle accident is based on negligence, which means a failure to use reasonable care.

To prove negligence, four elements must be shown:

• Duty of care. Drivers have a legal responsibility to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely.
• Breach of duty. You must prove the driver failed to act reasonably, such as by speeding, failing to yield, or driving distracted.
• Causation. You must provide evidence that the breach of that duty directly caused the motorcycle accident.
• Damages. You must show that the crash resulted in injuries or other measurable losses.

Evidence such as police reports, witness statements, physical damage, and accident reconstruction is used to show how these elements apply to the crash.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents can happen for many reasons. Understanding the causes can help clarify how these crashes occur and how liability may be evaluated.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Drivers making unsafe left turns in front of oncoming motorcycles,
• Lane changes without checking blind spots,
• Distracted driving,
• Speeding or reckless driving,
• Failure to yield the right of way, and
• Hazardous road conditions.

Identifying the cause of the crash is critical to determining liability and building a strong injury claim.

Get Help from a Stockton Motorcycle Accident Law Firm

Motorcycle accidents can leave riders facing overwhelming challenges, but you do not have to navigate the aftermath alone. At Silva Injury Law, we are committed to helping injured motorcyclists in Stockton pursue accountability and financial recovery with care and determination.

If you were injured in a crash, a motorcycle accident lawyer at our firm can review your case, explain your options, and guide you through the legal process.

Contact us online or call (209) 600-4389 today for a free consultation. We are here to help you take the next step forward and get your life back on track.