Santa Rosa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

Every year there are thousands of deaths and injuries to motorcyclists involved in crashes. Based on data collected by the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were 134 motorcycle crashes in Sonoma County in 2021 – with 10 deaths and 137 injuries. In San Francisco, there were 422 motorcycle crashes – with 13 deaths and 473 injuries. Drivers in California have a duty to drive safely and avoid negligent behavior that would put other individuals at risk of danger. You may have a motorcycle accident claim if your motorcycle accident was caused by any of the following breaches of duty:

Defective Motorcycle: Like cars, motorcycles undergo rigorous testing before they can be sold to consumers. While we put faith in manufacturers for making a motorcycle that is not defective, errors can slip through. These include faulty breaks, poor tires, or other manufacturer issues that can cause an accident.  If you were unable to control your case and caused an accident due to a defect by the manufacturer, you may be entitled to a claim.

Disobeying Traffic Laws: Motorcycle accidents often happen due to a driver disobeying traffic laws. Not stopping at stop signs or failing to use a turn signal can lead to a collision with a motorcyclist. These crashes can be preventable if a driver exercises due care. 

Distracted Driving: Accidents happen when drivers are distracted. This can happen for various reasons – texting while driving, eating, fatigue, taking their eyes off the road, or many other reasons.

Driving Under the Influence: You are entitled to a motorcycle accident claim if you were involved in an accident with a driver who was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving while intoxicated is an egregious type of negligence and those drivers should be held accountable for their actions causing harm.

Unsafe Roads: Roads can be unsafe for various reasons – weather, poor maintenance, or other hazards. While these accidents can be unavoidable due to the condition of the road, you may still have a claim if someone’s negligence caused the road conditions that caused your accident. 

Unsafe Speed: The main goal of speed limits are to enhance safety by reducing risks imposed by drivers speed. A driver who disobeys these simple rules of the road can be help liable for their disregard of posted speed limits when they cause a motorcycle accident.

Speak with a Santa Rosa motorcycle accident lawyer from the Law Office of Kasra Parsad today to learn more about your case and whether your motorcycle accident warrants a personal injury claim. You never know how a competent lawyer might be able to help you, so there is nothing to lose by getting in touch with our office. Our complimentary consultation comes at no cost and we work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay a cent unless we can recover for you.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accident injuries can be life-changing. Unlike a car crash, motorcycle accidents are more dangerous because they are less stable than a car with four wheels and do not have a cabin, roof, airbags, or seatbelts to secure the rider. Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a traffic crash than passengers in a car. We understand how these various injuries can impact people and the best way to help them fight for a compensation award that is just and fair. Our Santa Rosa motorcycle accident lawyer helps clients with all types of personal injuries arising from motorcycle accident claims:

• • Back injuries
• • Bone fractures
• • Traumatic brain injuries
• • Broken bones
• • Burns
• • Concussions
• • Head injuries
• • Major lacerations
• • Neck injuries
• • Permanent disabilities
• • Scarring and disfigurement
• • Wrongful Death

Compensation For Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

Each motorcycle case is different. Numerous factors will determine the success of your claim and ultimately the amount of compensation you will recover. Our motorcycle accident lawyer will review your accident-related expenses, medical records, and other evidence you may have to determine the type of damages you may be able to recover. The following are some damages you may be able to recover after your motorcycle accident:

• • Medical expenses: These costs include days spent at the hospital, surgery, prescription pills, transportation to the hospital, and doctor visits.
• • Rehabilitation costs: Depending on the severity of the injury after a motorcycle accident, many clients need physical therapy or other forms of rehabilitation in order to recover from their injuries. 
• • Future/Past medical expenses: Permanent, long-lasting injuries will continue to cost clients for many years to come after a motorcycle accident. We seek compensation now to cover those costs.
• • Lost income: The severity of a motorcycle injury can prevent clients from returning to work. This ultimately results in clients losing income and other benefits, leaving them struggling to support their families. We will always seek compensation for those losses.
• • Diminished earning capacity: Serious injuries from motorcycle accidents can cause clients from returning to their job. As a result, some clients will have to take lower-paying jobs. We seek compensation to make up for this loss in earning power. 

How Long Do You Have To Bring a Claim?

California law provides that plaintiffs have two years to file a claim from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. If a motorcycle crash involved a fatal death, two years is also the limit for filing a wrongful death claim.

If, however, you are only seeking damages related to repairing your motorcycle, California law gives plaintiffs three years to file a claim. As soon as possible after an accident, you should reach out to our Santa Rosa motorcycle accident lawyer.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident

After a motorcycle accident in Santa Rosa, it may be hard to think clearly. But there are important steps you can take immediately following the accident to help build a strong claim. These tips can affect the outcome of your claim, so it is important to follow these tips to avoid any disputes about liability and damages. After a motorcycle accident, take the following steps:

• • Call the police and report the accident. Make sure the officer creates a report, then ask for a copy when it is ready.
  • If any cameras captured the accident, obtain a copy for your recovery.
• • Take pictures of the at-fault driver’s license, insurance, license plate, and vehicle.
  • Do not accept fault.
  • Examine the scene for dangerous conditions.
  • Take many photographs of the accident, including property damage, your injuries, weather conditions, the road conditions, and the person who hit you.
  • Collect contact information from any eyewitness who may have seen the accident.
  • Go to the hospital for medical care.
  • Make sure to tell the doctor about every part of your body that feels pain. Do not minimize or leave out any of your injuries.
• • If given, follow your doctor’s treatment instructions, and do not miss any future doctor appointments.
  • Document the accident while it is fresh in your head. Afterward, keep a journal documenting your pain and injuries and your recovery process.
• • Before speaking with a lawyer, do not speak to an insurance adjuster or accept any sort of offer from the insurance company.
• • Get off social media. In the alternative, make your posts private.
  • Contact the Law Office of Kasra Parsad to discuss your claim with our Santa Rosa motorcycle accident lawyer.

How Can a Santa Rosa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help?

The last thing you want to deal with after a serious motorcycle crash is fighting the insurance company over fair compensation for your harm. It can be tempting to accept the first offer the insurance company throws your way when your injuries are throbbing, bills are piling up, and you’re missing work and not making an income. The insurance company is looking to protect their company’s profits. They accomplish this goal by offering you a lowball offer that will not fully compensate you for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. Whatever the insurance company may tell you, they likely are not on your side when you file a claim against them.

As soon as possible, you’ll want to contact our Santa Rosa personal injury attorney to assess your options. You should never accept the insurance company’s first offer, let alone speak to the insurance adjuster, without consulting with a motorcycle accident attorney. Let our qualified attorney help you recover the fair and full compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.