Ontario Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Each year, motorcyclists are involved in serious and sometimes fatal accidents while riding on California roads. These collisions can result in extensive losses, from property damage and lost wages to medical bills and pain and suffering.

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident and believe someone else is at fault, the attorneys at Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP can help. For over 80 years, our firm has fought for the rights of injured people across the state of California. Our Ontario motorcycle accident lawyer will advocate aggressively for your maximum possible compensation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Why Choose Us for Your Motorcycle Accident Case

• Our lawyers have recovered over $5 billion in settlements and jury verdicts. We are dedicated to securing the highest possible award in your case.
• Our Ontario personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. If you do not receive a settlement, you will not be charged for our legal services.
• Our firm will provide your case with personalized attention from consultation to settlement, helping to identify and strategize ways to reach your goals.

Who Is Liable for a Motorcycle Accident?

In California, any party who causes an accident on the road is liable for the damages that the victims suffer. Drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and motorcyclists are eligible to pursue claims against these liable parties, which may include the following.

• Motorists: In many motorcycle accidents, the at-fault party is a motorist whose negligence causes an accident. Under California law, all drivers have a duty to follow the law and drive safely. You could file an insurance claim or lawsuit against any driver who breaches this duty and causes an accident.
• Private Companies: If the at-fault driver is an employee of a company and was performing his or her job duties at the time of the accident, you could name the employer in your accident claim. Many companies also have insurance coverage that pays for any accidents involving employees.
• Manufacturers: If the accident occurs due to a defective vehicle, vehicle part, or other product, you could file a lawsuit against the product manufacturer.
• Government Agencies: If the accident occurs due to poorly maintained or designed roads, you could file a claim against the government agency responsible for maintaining that road.

Comparative Fault in California Motorcycle Accidents

If you are partially at fault for your motorcycle accident in Ontario, you are still eligible for financial compensation. California abides by a pure comparative negligence law, which states that a plaintiff’s financial recovery will be reduced, but not barred, by his or her degree of fault. In other words, if you are found to have contributed to your motorcycle crash, your right to recover compensation will not be eliminated. However, your comparative fault could reduce your financial award.

If a percentage of fault is allocated to a motorcycle rider during an injury claim, his or her financial recovery will be reduced by a matching amount. For example, if a motorcyclist is determined to be 10 percent responsible for the crash, the compensatory award would be diminished by 10 percent. This would reduce a $100,000 award to $90,000, for example. Comparative negligence will not take away a victim’s ability to obtain financial compensation in California, however.

What Damages Are Available After a Motorcycle Accident?

Filing a motorcycle accident claim in California could lead to financial compensation being paid for several past and future losses. A personal injury claim could result in financial compensation for both economic and noneconomic damages. This means that the defendant’s insurance company may be responsible for paying for the following types of losses:

• Medical costs – all of the past and future hospital bills and health care costs from your accident, including surgeries, medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation and ongoing care.
• Lost wages – the money that you lost due to having to take time off of work because of your injuries. This includes existing lost wages as well as future lost opportunities to earn.
• Property damage – the price to repair your damaged motorcycle or replace a totaled vehicle, as well as any other damaged or destroyed property.
• Pain and suffering – a financial award for the intangible losses that you suffered, including physical pain, distress, inconvenience, lost quality of life and psychological trauma.
• Wrongful death damages – the immense losses you suffered if a loved one passed away in a fatal motorcycle accident, including funeral and burial costs.

An Ontario car accident attorney from Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP can help you create a demand letter to submit to an insurance company with a full list of your accident-related losses. We will help you avoid missing any opportunities to recover fair financial compensation for your motorcycle wreck. Once we understand how much the accident has impacted you, we can help you pursue fair and full financial compensation for your various losses.

What Is the Value of My Case?

It is important to have at least a general understanding of how much your motorcycle accident case is worth before you speak to an insurance company representative. This is because the insurance company will most likely try to get you to settle for less than you deserve. This is especially true during motorcycle accident claims, as insurance providers have biases against motorcyclists. The value of your claim depends on the circumstances.

Factors involved in case valuations include:

• Injury severity
• Recovery time
• Medical costs
• Your income before and after the accident
• Your age and overall health
• The price of your property repairs
• The number of defendants in your case
• The amount of insurance coverage available
• Your comparative negligence for the accident

An insurance company will most likely lowball (underestimate) the value of your motorcycle accident claim in its first offer. It is up to you to know the value of your case and hold out for a fair settlement. An experienced Ontario motorcycle accident attorney can help with negotiations to ensure you don’t settle for less than your case is worth. If the insurer does not offer a reasonable settlement during negotiations, your lawyer can pursue justice in court, instead.

Why You Need an Ontario Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you are injured in an Ontario motorcycle accident, you need an attorney from Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP on your side. Navigating an injury claim can be stressful, especially after a recent injury. Our lawyers will handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on recovery.

Your lawyer can also defend you against accusations of fault, conduct a full investigation into the collision, and craft a compelling case for your right to compensation. We will advocate for your best interests from consultation to settlement.

Steps to Follow After a Motorcycle Accident

If you get involved in a motorcycle accident in Ontario, take the following steps and actions to protect yourself:

1. Stay where you are and call the police.
2. Don’t admit fault for the motorcycle accident.
3. Exchange information with the other driver.
4. Give the police your side of the story.
5. Write down your police report number.
6. Gather eyewitness information.
7. Take pictures of the crash scene.
8. Go to a hospital for immediate medical treatment.
9. Call your insurance company to notify them.
10. File a claim with the other driver’s insurer.

Before you accept a settlement from an insurance company, consult with an Ontario motorcycle accident attorney in Ontario for advice and assistance.

What Are the Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Understanding what causes motorcycle accidents most often in California can help you avoid crash risks. Human error is the number one cause of motorcycle collisions in Ontario and throughout the state. Many drivers engage in dangerous activities behind the wheel that can cause them to crash into motorcyclists, such as drinking and driving. Unfortunately, motorcyclists suffer the worst of the injuries in these collisions.

The top causes of motorcycle accidents in the state include:

• Distracted driving. If a driver isn’t dedicating 100 percent of his or her attention to the road, it is easy to miss a motorcyclist and cause an accident.
• Drunk driving. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can lead to speeding, erratic driving, poor reaction time and impaired driving skills.
• Speeding. Driving too fast for conditions can make it impossible for a driver to effectively brake and avoid striking a motorcycle.
• Unsafe lane changes. The small size of a motorcycle can make it easy for a negligent driver to change lanes or merge on top of a motorcyclist.
• Left turns. Many motorcycle accidents are caused by unsafe left-hand turns, such as a driver turning directly in front of an oncoming motorcyclist.

In addition to driver errors, another common cause of motorcycle crashes is road hazards. Cracks, potholes, loose gravel, debris and other road defects are dangerous for motorcycles. Identifying the cause of your motorcycle accident is necessary before you can file an insurance claim in California, as the state’s insurance system holds the at-fault party financially responsible.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists lack the same protections as motor vehicle drivers, who are encased inside of a large metal shell. As a result, collisions involving motorcyclists often result in severe injuries, death, or permanent disability. The following are most common in motorcycle accidents:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord damage
• Burn injuries
• Road rash
• Cuts and lacerations
• Traumatic brain injury
• Lower extremity injuries
• Soft tissue damage
• Internal organ damage

No matter what type of injury you suffered in a motorcycle crash in Ontario, the attorneys at Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP can help. We have experience representing clients with a wide range of life-changing injuries.

Contact An Ontario Motorcycle Accident Attorney From Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP

After a motorcycle accident, trust the lawyers at Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP to fight for your right to compensation. Contact us today to schedule your free case consultation with an Ontario motorcycle accident lawyer or call us at (800)-362-7427.