Orange County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents can be the most devastating ones on our roadways, due to the rider lacking a body of a vehicle to protect them from impact from another vehicle.  These accidents, often lead to very serious and sometimes permanent injuries, including death.

It is extremely important that when seeking out a motorcycle accident attorney in Orange County, that you choose one that is highly experienced. The motorcycle injury lawyers at Hicks Law Firm have recovered millions of dollars for Orange County residents from our offices in Costa Mesa. If you or a family member were seriously injured through the negligence or actions of another, contact us today at (949) 541-9944 to schedule a risk-free, no obligation consultation.

Immediately following a motorcycle accident in Orange County, California, there are certain steps you should take to ensure your safety and protect your legal and financial interests:                           

☑ Move yourself to safety right away. If you can’t move your bike safely, leave it where it is. Your safety is paramount.

☑ Take pictures of the scene and get contact information of any witnesses to the accident.

☑ Seek medical attention for all of your symptoms and injuries. Don’t put this off. It may be very important to your health and future legal case.

☑ Don’t try to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company on your own. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Costa Mesa, California. Consultations are free and we only get paid if you do.

Contact us today at (949) 541-9944 for a complimentary consultation of your case.

California Motorcycle Accident Causes

While motorcyclists may have a reputation for fast and furious driving habits, there is a reason the phrase “start seeing motorcyclists” has become so popular on bumper stickers and that is because accidents involving motorcycles are often caused by other vehicles who claim to have not seen the motorcycle right before the crash.

However, other motorists have a legal duty to see motorcycles on the road in front and around them if a reasonably prudent driver would have. It is not the motorcyclist’s duty alone to keep themselves safe from the dangers of other vehicles. This includes properly yielding to motorcycles where required, braking for a motorcycle ahead, using lights when driving at night, and being reasonably aware of one’s surroundings.

What should motorcyclists do after an accident?

It is normal to be shaken up following an accident with a truck, but after an accident there are several steps you should take in order to ensure your safety and protect your legal and financial interests.

1) Get yourself to safety, with or without your bike.

By the nature of being a motorcyclist, you will presumably be on foot immediately following an accident and are therefore even more exposed to danger than a typical motorist in the same place. Your first priority should be to get yourself to safety. You may be tempted to want to move your bike out of the road to prevent it from being damaged further, but your physical safety must be paramount. Only attempt to move your bike if you are confident that you can do so safely. Do not move your bike if you are injured and attempting to lift your bike may exacerbate your injuries.

2) Call for police and an ambulance.

If you are physically able to do so, call the police to report the accident and have them respond to the scene. A police report is very important in documenting damage to your motorcycle, as well as any other vehicles involved. The officer should also investigate the scene and make note of any relevant traffic lights or stop signs that may inform how the accident occurred. Finally, they should take statements from you, other motorists involved, and any witnesses to the accident.

If you have suffered any injuries at all and particularly if you hit your head (even if you were wearing a helmet) or fell onto the ground, you should seek medical attention right away. Even if you do not think you were injured, it is very common for motorcycle accidents to result in injuries with symptoms that manifest hours or days later like concussions or traumatic brain injuries.

4) Collect evidence at the scene.

Before you leave the scene of the accident and before an involved motorist or tow truck moves an accident away from the scene, take photos of the damage to your bike and any other vehicles involved. If there are witnesses around, ask them for their contact information.  Note that obtaining their contact information including their name and phone number is even more important than taking their statement of the events immediately after this accident. This is because, without their contact information, any statement they provide will not be admissible in court because they will not be able to testify if you do not have their contact information. Without their testimony, their out of court statement is hearsay.

Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Costa Mesa

If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident in Costa Mesa for the surrounding Orange County, California area, you should contact an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer before trying to navigate the insurance claim process alone. Insurance companies are businesses that are concerned about their profits and may deny your claim outright or try to settle your claim for substantially less than you are entitled to.

To ensure that you receive the compensation for your injuries and property damage that will make you whole again, work with a personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling motorcycle accident claims and understands the type of injuries caused by motorcycle accidents, as well as issues relating to negligence in these cases.

At Hicks Law Firm, you will receive the individual attention that your case needs. We are highly experienced and have handled thousands of cases, resulting in the recovery of millions of dollars for our clients. All initial consultations are free and confidential, and we are available to you 24/7.  We are paid on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay us unless we win your case. When you hire us, you will be given your attorney’s personal cell phone number. Call 949-541-9944 or fill out our online contact form so we may discuss your case.