Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
With the increase in motorcycles on the roadways in Sacramento and across Northern California, motorcycle crashes are also rising. Our Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyers can help you understand your legal options for getting the compensation you need to recover.
Who is Responsible for a Motorcycle Accident?
Although multiple parties can be responsible for a motorcycle accident, car drivers are most often the primary liable parties. Under California law, drivers who act negligently can be held legally accountable for the injuries and damages resulting from a motorcycle crash.
Examples of driver negligence in motorcycle accidents include:
- Failing to check mirrors or blind spots before changing lanes
- Not signaling lane changes
- Failure to yield the right-of-way to motorcycles, especially when turning left
- Distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone
Government Entities
It’s possible for liability in a motorcycle accident to fall on government entities due to negligence. Government agencies have a legal duty to maintain safe road conditions for motorcycles. Examples of government negligence in motorcycle accidents include:
- Failure to promptly repair potholes, cracks, or uneven pavement
- Lack of warning signs or barriers around dangerous road conditions
- Inadequate or unclear road markings and traffic signals
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Featured Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Attorney Celine Cutter represented a cyclist in Sonoma County who suffered a broken jaw and a mild TBI after she rode her bike through a large pothole.
From start to finish, Celine Cutter took great care in guiding me through the process.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive After a Motorcycle Accident?
If you suffered injuries due to a motorcycle accident, you might be entitled to compensation for economic losses and non-economic losses. Damages recovered by an accident victim depend on a variety of factors, including:
- The amount of past, current, and future medical bills for medical treatment, prescription medications, emergency room visits, physical therapy, rehab costs, and other medical expenses already incurred or expected as a result of the accident
- Lost wages, covering income the accident victim would have made if not for the accident;
- Lost earning capacity, covering additional income the accident victim would have made now or in the future if not for the accident;
- Motorcycle damage, recouping costs to repair or replace the motorcycle as a result of the accident;
- Pain and suffering due to emotional and psychological harm the accident caused, including the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, known as non-economic damages; and
- Loss of championship, which is a factor considered explicitly in wrongful death lawsuits.
The attorneys at Cutter Law defended the rights of a motorcyclist who was seriously injured when a car failed to yield the right of way. A San Francisco jury awarded the motorcyclist $596,000.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Sacramento?
There are time limits on how long you have following an accident to file an injury lawsuit. In California, this time restriction, or “statute of limitations,” is two (2) years from the accident date. There are minimal exceptions to this rule. Generally, after the statute of limitations expires, an accident victim can no longer initiate a legal claim or lawsuit.
What Should I Do if I’m Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?
If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, start by seeking medical attention as soon as possible. Call local authorities and wait for medical personnel to arrive. Even if an accident is minor and there are no apparent injuries, it’s always helpful to have a police report documenting the details of the crash. Remember, severe brain and spinal cord injuries can worsen by sudden movement, and other injuries, such as chest contusions, may not show immediate symptoms.
If it’s safe to do so, check in on others involved in the accident. Take note of whatever information you can about the accident scene and obtain information from other drivers and witnesses.
If you receive medical treatment following the incident, keep records of all your medical bills and scans. Also, notify your insurance company that you were in an accident.
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Sacramento, CA 95864
Do I Need to Hire a Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney can help. Insurance companies usually try to settle accident cases for the lowest amount possible. Motorcycle accident attorneys can assist with investigating your accident, negotiating with insurance providers, preparing and filing a personal injury lawsuit, and explaining complex legal concepts and jargon.
Also, a motorcycle accident attorney can help gather pertinent evidence to strengthen your case, including medical bills, treatment logs, and police reports. Most importantly, your attorney can help ensure that you get the compensation you and your loved ones deserve.
Contact our personal injury law firm for a free case review and learn how we can help you with your motorcycle accident case.
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Start with a free consultation. We listen to what happened, how it’s affected your life, and what you need to move forward.
You’ll have a direct line to our attorneys. We keep communication open and ensure you always know what’s happening with your case.
From day one, we go all in—gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and preparing for trial if needed. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
In order to legally and safely operate a motorcycle, it’s essential that riders clearly understand California state motorcycle laws.
Understanding the laws regarding your obligations, such as reporting the crash, can help you make sure you meet all legal requirements.
You have two years to file a lawsuit for personal injury related to a car accident. You have three years to file a claim for property damage from a car accident.
As a family run California law firm we pride ourselves in providing every client personal attention and representation. The outstanding results we have gotten for our fire clients are a direct result of our commitment to understanding and presenting all aspects of their case.
Hear from our previous clients about the relationships we build together.
I was injured in an accident and was in need of a lawyer. John and his staff were amazing! They made themselves available to me at any time for questions and responded to my emails quickly.
I was injured in an auto accident, and I was in terrible need for an attorney. I was very pleased with how professional and caring John and his team were with my case.
Brooks has a long-established, respected reputation as a skilled trial attorney and a record of proven success.