Oakland Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Oakland, contact an experienced Oakland personal injury lawyer to learn about your rights and the possibility of maximum compensation for your recovery.
What Steps Should You Take After a Motorcycle Crash?
Any type of accident can be an overwhelming experience, and it can be hard to figure out the next step. However, in general, if you are involved in an accident, the best thing would be to follow these steps:
- Call 911 — Because of the likelihood of serious injury, it is crucial to seek medical treatment immediately. If you cannot call because of your injuries, or if you do not have a phone, ask someone else at the scene to call instead.
- Exchange and record information — If the crash involved another driver and you are not too injured, exchange information with the other person, including contact information, insurance information, license numbers, vehicle make and model, and plate numbers. You may also want to write down other factors to help you remember what happened, such as weather conditions, traffic conditions, road conditions, and names of anyone else that may have seen the accident.
- File a police report — When the police arrive, answer their questions as best you can. Do not make any guesses about what happened or why, and do not admit fault. You may not know who was at fault until a thorough investigation has taken place. According to California reporting laws, you are required to file a report in most circumstances.
- Call a motorcycle accident lawyer — Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to learn about your rights as a motorcycle accident victim.
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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.
Dangerous Roadways in Oakland
More than half of all motorcycle fatalities in California happen in urban areas, though accidents are not limited to congested city streets. Some of the most dangerous regions for motorcycle accident victims in Northern California include:
- The intersection of 42nd Street and Telegraph Avenue in Oakland
- The intersection of Russell Boulevard and College Avenue in Berkeley
- Interstate 80
- Tunitas Creek Road in San Mateo County
- Grizzly Creek Boulevard in Alameda County
How Much Compensation Can You Recover from an Oakland Motorcycle Accident?
The compensation for clients varies greatly and usually depends on several factors, including:
- Your medical bills related to the accident, and the severity of the injuries (i.e., catastrophic injuries versus minor injuries)
- Any long-term medical care costs
- The amount of any lost wages or employment benefits if you are unable to work temporarily or permanently
- Pain and suffering or other emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment in activities you actively pursued prior to the accident
- Compensation for damage to your motorcycle in the motorcycle wreck
- Property damages for any electronic devices that were damaged
Before filing, you or your Oakland personal injury lawyer will need to investigate your claims to determine your case’s potential remedies, strengths, and weaknesses. In doing so, it is essential to review medical records, note changes in your day-to-day activities after the accident, speak to any witnesses of the accident, and gather any police reports and photographs that may have been taken at the scene of the accident.
Your attorney will also communicate with the insurance companies involved to determine if any payments have already been made toward your medical bills or property damage.
Attorneys Todd Walburg and Celine Cutter represented a cyclist in Sonoma County, California who suffered a broken jaw and a mild traumatic brain injury after she rode her bike through a large pothole.
Our attorneys obtained a $1 million dollar settlement on behalf of a client who sustained burn injuries to her abdomen and leg in an accident.
Attorney John R. Parker 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.
Attorney John Roussas obtained a $678,000 verdict on behalf of a pedestrian whose knee and pelvis was injured as a result of being hit by a vehicle.
Proving Fault in an Oakland Motorcycle Accident
To prove a negligence claim in California, you have to establish five elements:
- The defendant had a duty to act a certain way,
- They breached that duty,
- Their breach was the cause of your injury,
- They should have foreseen that their breach would harm someone, and
- You suffered actual damages
Your motorcycle lawyer will likely use medical records, medical bills, police reports, and on-site witness statements as evidence for your negligence claim. Your actual damages would include medical costs, temporary or permanent loss of wages, and property damage.
California adheres to the principle of comparative negligence for the involved parties. This means that even if you are found partially at fault in a motorcycle accident injury case, it does not prevent you from obtaining compensation. It will, however, limit how much money you can recover in the settlement based on the percentage of your fault in the accident.
In California, we have what’s called comparative negligence. The jury would ultimately determine how much fault is attributed to you.
Brooks Cutter,
Founder of Cutter Law
- Address
1901 Harrison Street Suite 910
Oakland CA 94612
How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Motorcycle Accident?
Personal injury attorneys with extensive experience can review the facts of your case, assess your damages, and give legal counsel. They will handle gathering evidence, including police reports and medical records, and communicate with your insurance company regarding your claims.
If you have been the victim of a motorcycle accident in the Oakland Area, contact Cutter Law to learn about your legal rights with our free consultation.
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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.
If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurance carrier to cover some or all of your costs related to the accident.
No, you should not speak to the other driver’s insurance company after an accident. No matter what the representative tells you.
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.
The Cutter Law firm’s primary focus is giving their clients the ultimate care they deserve with their very best interests at heart. The focus group conducted earlier by them was friendly, professional, and with the utmost courtesy. This is representation one hopes to achieve from their attorney, and Cutter Law exceeds that hope.
I received outstanding service from Cutter Law, and as a result, I won my case. From start to finish, Celine Cutter took great care in guiding me through the process. They were respectful at all times to all parties involved in the case and created positive relationships in the courtroom. They are sharp, exceedingly well-informed on personal injury case law, and are nationally known for their skills in the courtroom. Other local lawyers told me I hired the best firm for my case, and I agree!
Brooks has a long-established, respected reputation as a skilled trial attorney and a record of proven success.