Studio City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle riding around Studio City has its’ appeal for many. It’s a way to engage in an enjoyable activity, take advantage of the pleasant weather, and avoid the hassle of endless gridlock or searching for a parking space big enough. However, when a motorcycle accident happens your enjoyment can quickly turn to pain, anxiety, and confusion. The experienced Studio City motorcycle lawyers at Walch Law are here to put your mind at ease, answer your questions, and explain the process of getting compensation for your injuries. Robert and Gary have over 45 years of experience fighting to get clients like you the money you deserve and have a 95+% success rate. Call us today to get started on the road to recovery.

Unfortunately, even though motorcycle riders may exercise extreme caution on the roads, the same cannot be said for other motorists around them. Not only too most drivers engage in unsafe before behind the wheel at least some of the time, they also forget they share the roads with riders and fail to actively look for them when performing traffic maneuvers. Motorcycle accidents often result from:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Unsafe lane changes
• Driving under the influence
• Failure to yield
• Failing to check for approaching motorcycles when entering roadways
• “Dooring” – opening the door of a vehicle into an approaching rider

Studio City motorcyclists involved in any accident are at high risk for catastrophic injuries or death thanks to the major 101, 134, and 405 freeways nearby and the prevalence of bad driving behaviors like speeding and texting while driving. Recently, a rider was killed on his motorcycle on the eastbound 101 freeway at Tujunga Avenue after a collision with a vehicle. Compared to vehicle occupants, even riders wearing full protective gear lack the same structural protections as motor vehicles in a crash. Motorcycles are also much smaller than other vehicles on the road, making any collision cause for serious concern due to the size difference. Riders who survive a crash commonly face serious injuries requiring expensive medical treatment and extended recovery periods such as:

• Neck injuries such as whiplash
• Fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Head injuries including concussions or traumatic brain injuries

Most motorcycle accident victims initially seek compensation through the at-fault party’s automobile insurance company. If you hire an attorney, they can handle communications and negotiation with the insurer and save you the headache. However, if a fair settlement can’t be reached or the at-fault party is not a motorist but rather:

• A government agency that maintains roads
• A vehicle or parts manufacturer
• A repair shop that performed negligent work

it becomes necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party and prove they were negligent in order to hold them liable. You prove negligence by showing the at-fault party breached a legal duty owed to you and that breach caused you injury.

Motorcyclists are at risk of many different injuries that can cause harm in all aspects of their lives after an accident. If you can prove someone negligently caused the accident and is liable for your injuries, you may be entitled to an award of damages. Nothing will undo the trauma you’ve experienced, but courts may compensate you for injuries like:

• Hospital bills
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium
• Lost wages
• Lost future earning capacity
• Disfigurement, scarring, or disability
• Pain and suffering

In some cases, victims may be entitled to an additional award of punitive damages designed to punish a wrongdoer’s extremely bad, reprehensible behavior. These are difficult to prove, so they are best handled by an experienced Studio City motorcycle accident attorney to avoid costly legal mistakes when seeking damages.

Even if you’re understandably traumatized and overwhelmed after a motorcycle accident, you need to take a few simple steps. The following actions will help you document your accident and injuries, look after your health, strengthen your legal claim for compensation, and avoid saying things that could damage your case.

• Call 911 if anyone is injured or property is damaged and notify law enforcement that a crash occurred
• Get a copy of the accident report from the police or your insurance company
• Notify your insurance company
• Do not apologize, admit fault, comment about injuries or your health, or give recorded statements.
• Seek medical care as soon as possible
• Photograph the scene, the vehicles, your injuries, any evidence of fault like skid marks, and all traffic control devices such as traffic lights
• Get the information of everyone involved in the crash, all eyewitnesses, and the responding police officers
• Keep important documents regarding the accident and your injuries such as medical records, hospital bills, receipts, paystubs, or repair shop bills
• Contact a lawyer immediately

You may think that after you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident you can’t afford a lawyer between an inability to work, massive medical bills, and expensive repairs to your bike. However, the experienced Studio City motorcycle lawyers at Walch Law understand your concerns; that’s why all our cases are taken on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing until after you get paid. When you call today to schedule your free, no obligation consultation we will answer your questions, explain the process, and get started so you can get the money and closure you deserve as quickly as possible.