Turlock Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Few things can be as thrilling as riding a motorcycle in California, so many people are eager to take advantage of opportunities to ride in locations throughout the greater Turlock area. The weather, terrain, and views

Most people know that motorcycles are also especially risky to ride because of the lack of protection people have when driving motorcycles, so any kind of motorcycle accident can be alarming. However, motorcyclists have the right to safely use the roads in California like any other vehicle, and drivers should take proper care not to make mistakes that put motorcyclists in preventable danger.

Despite the clear responsibilities of drivers, they often hit motorcyclists and cause injuries. Silva Injury Law handles motorcycle accident cases in Turlock and the surrounding areas in California, and our firm understands how motorcycle wrecks can dramatically alter the lives of the people involved.

Unfortunately, some insurance companies use stereotypes about motorcyclists to reduce settlements or deny claims. You should always seek the help of an experienced Turlock motorcycle accident attorney in handling any injury claim after an accident to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

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Riding A Motorcycle In Turlock

Many motorcyclists seek rides with incredible views and terrain, and the Turlock area has those. The Sierra Nevada mountain range is between the Central Valley and the Great Basin, and 10 of the 22 passes in the 400-mile length of the Sierra Nevada range are in the Central Sierra, which offers 100 miles of high-elevation terrain.

All 10 Central Sierra passes are more than 7,000 feet in elevation, with several even higher, presenting ideal views.

• Echo Summit is found on United States Highway 50 (US 50) and is 7,377 feet above sea level. In El Dorado Country, it stretches between Pollock Pines and Meyers, California.
• Luther Pass is on California State Route 89 (SR 89) between Meyers and State Route 88 (SR 88) at Picketts Junction. It is 7,735 feet above sea level.
• Carson Pass is on SR 88 and is between Pine Grove, California, and SR 89 in Hope Valley near Woodfords. It is 8,573 feet above sea level.
• Monitor Pass is also on SR 89 between Markleeville, California, and United States Highway 395 (US 395) near Topaz Lake. It is 8,314 feet above sea level.
• Ebbetts Pass is on California State Route 4 (SR 4) between Angels Camp, California, and CA 89 near Markleeville. It is 8,732 feet above sea level.
• Sonora Pass is on California State Route 108 (SR 108) between Sonora, California, and US 395, north of Bridgeport. It is 9,624 feet above sea level.
• Tioga Pass is again the highest pass at 9,943 feet above sea level. It is on California State Route 120 (SR 120) between Groveland, California, and US 395, south of Lee Vining.
• Dante’s View Road, about 140 miles west of Las Vegas, offers views of Death Valley from California State Route 190 (SR 190). The Palomar Mountain Loop in Southern California is the longest scenic route at 107 miles.

People can also ride down Interstate 280 and Highway 1 from San Francisco to Pacifica and Half Moon Bay toward Gregorio State Beach and Santa Cruz. The Monterey Bay/Cannery Row Loop Tour involves leaving San Francisco through Interstate 280 South and going five miles until the Highway 1 exit toward Pacifica to Monterey.

The California North Coast route is a four-hour drive from San Francisco along Highway 1 and Highway 101 to Eureka. The Santa Cruz Mountain Tour Loop goes through five state and county parks.

These features make the area a great place to ride through—but also one where serious crashes can happen. Fortunately, victims can protect their rights by retaining a lawyer as soon as they can.

Accident Risks That Motorcyclists Face

Riders need to be aware that when they are on motorcycles, the simple fact will be that they will be more difficult for other drivers to see simply because motorcycles are inherently smaller than other vehicles. Many motorcycle accidents occur within intersections because drivers do not see motorcyclists.

Motorcycles also have to be aware of possibly hazardous debris on some roads. In some instances, potholes, unevenly paved roads, or gravel can endanger motorcyclists.

Other drivers will always be a concern for motorcyclists because drivers of cars and trucks are often at fault for most motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists can’t prevent other drivers from taking ill-advised actions, but they can be aware of when people may pose certain risks.

Motorcycles should steer clear of any drivers who appear under the influence of alcohol or drugs  (DUI). An intoxicated driver is significantly more likely to cause a traffic accident than a sober one.

Similarly, motorcyclists also need to be aware of drivers who may be distracted while behind the wheel. Distracted driving is only becoming a more common cause of crashes all over California, and a distracted driver may not see a motorcyclist until it is too late.

Another concern for motorcycle safety can often be the condition of a motorcycle itself, as certain manufacturing defects or improper maintenance can cause avoidable accidents.

Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries

People can suffer a wide range of possible injuries in a motorcycle accident. Some victims may suffer relatively minor injuries, while others can face lifelong complications. All injuries will require immediate care and proper treatment, so after a motorcycle accident, see a doctor as soon as possible, regardless of whether you think you suffered an injury.

Our firm has experience helping people with a wide variety of injury claims, including:

• Fractures or broken bones
• Severe burn injuries
• Internal organ injuries
• Permanent nerve injuries
• Concussions
• Closed head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Crush injuries
• Back injuries
• Knee injuries
• Leg injuries
• Neck injuries
• Arm injuries
• Skull fractures
• Amputations
• Paralysis

Holding Drivers Liable For Your Losses

In most motorcycle accident cases, a person will need to prove that another driver was negligent to recover compensation. Negligence occurs when a person—in this case, another driver—fails to use the degree of care that a person in the same or similar circumstances should ordinarily use.

Examples of driver negligence can vary by circumstance but often include DUI offenses, distracted driving, or otherwise driving recklessly. One major problem that can arise in many cases is the ability of a person to prove that another driver was operating negligently. Still, people who hire attorneys will have a better chance of obtaining evidence to help prove these claims.

A negligent driver in a motorcycle accident case will typically need to pay their victim’s damages. The damages available to people in these cases can vary. Still, most people can recover their personal costs, or economic damages, and damages for more subjective concerns, known as non-economic damages.

Economic damages in these cases can include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.

Other types of damages in a motorcycle accident case can include wrongful death damages when a family member or other authorized dependent is seeking compensation on behalf of a deceased motorcyclist. Punitive damages only apply to cases where other parties act with wanton disregard for human life or extreme cruelty.

Why You Need A Trusted Turlock Motorcycle Accident Lawyer On Your Side

A Turlock motorcycle accident lawyer can start immediately conducting an independent investigation into a motorcycle accident. They can consult other professionals and collect evidence that will be enormously helpful in any legal claims a person may file.

An attorney will know how to work with the police department that investigated an accident, obtain a police report, and then work to secure additional forms of documentation or evidence in the case. They can also locate witnesses and hire experts to determine how the accident occurred.

Your lawyer can also help you manage your medical records and any employment documents that will relate to your case and manage records relating to property damage. After the investigation, an attorney can prepare a demand letter they send to an insurance company for the negligent party.

Insurance companies generally dismiss demand letters, so lawyers usually end up in settlement negotiations. While many people prefer to think they can handle settlement negotiations on their own, the reality is that many victims obtain significantly more compensation by working with an attorney. Insurance companies know how to keep settlements low, and the best way to even the playing field is by retaining a lawyer.

Should settlement negotiations not produce a resolution, your lawyer might have to file a lawsuit against the negligent party to seek damages on your behalf.

Most insurance companies will try very hard to settle a case because they do not want to pay the high costs of taking a case to trial. While trials are certainly rare, they are not impossible, and people will want to be sure they have an attorney representing them at trial because they will know how to present a case and argue for damages.

Another primary reason people should consider retaining legal counsel will be the level of their medical care. Some people can experience hardships in obtaining treatment when they have outstanding medical bills. When you hire a lawyer, they can negotiate a medical lien with a care provider that will allow you to continue receiving treatment because your payment will ultimately come out of your settlement or jury award.

Choosing The Right Law Firm For Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Motorcycle accident victims have a wide choice of possible attorneys. The person must pick a lawyer they can trust to handle their case effectively.

Silva Injury Law goes out of its way to make every client feel like family. We take the time to help you understand your legal rights and outline how we will proceed with your case.

When you hire our law firm, you will not have to pay anything to us upfront because we will represent you on a contingency fee basis. This means you will only pay us a portion of your settlement or jury award.

Our firm will take the time to ensure that your entire journey to recovery is going as smoothly as possible for you. We will work with you to overcome any obstacles you believe complicate your ability to improve. We have helped scores of people all over California get justice when another party is to blame for their injuries. We take all of these cases seriously, so you know we will commit to helping you recover all the money you need and deserve.

Learn More About Your Rights From A Turlock Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you suffered catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident in Turlock, do not wait another moment to find yourself legal representation. Chances are excellent that the insurance companies involved in your case are already working against you. Reach out to a Turlock personal injury lawyer.

Silva Injury Law will be by your side throughout the entire process and can make every effort to help you recover all of the damages to which you are entitled.

Our firm has an office in Turlock, and our compassionate approach to the law means that you will have somebody on your side throughout your entire legal claims process, so you never have to handle anything yourself. Feel free to call (209) 308-8924 or contact our Turlock motorcycle accident lawyers online right now for your free consultation.