Motorcycle Accident
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN California
Careless drivers and road hazards pose a constant risk to motorcyclists. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by someone else, you deserve fair compensation and accountability from those responsible. Turn to the California motorcycle accident lawyers at The Law Office of Black & DePaoli, APC for help. Our legal team has more than three decades of combined experience handling motorcycle accident cases. Travis Black, serving
as counsel of the firm is a former police officer and insurance adjuster who knows how law enforcement investigates motorcycle accidents and how insurance companies defend themselves. He’s also a rider himself, so he brings personal appreciation for what riders go through.
Together, our team has a proven track record of success. We have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients throughout California. We understand the difficulties of recovering from a motorcycle accident, and we fight to maximize the payments our clients receive.
As a first step, we offer free consultations wherever and whenever is most convenient for you. And you’ll never owe us a dime unless and until we win compensation for you. Contact us today to speak with a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer in a free case review.
UNDERSTANDING WHY MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASES ARE MORE COMPLICATED
Motorcycle riders suffer more serious injuries. Because they are not protected by a vehicle body or other safety features common in passenger vehicles, motorcycle accident victims often suffer catastrophic, life-altering injuries. The serious injuries that riders often suffer in a crash require extensive and expensive medical treatment. This means that a rider may be entitled to a larger amount of compensation, and they may still be undergoing treatment when they file their insurance claim or lawsuit. When a rider is still in treatment for injuries when pursuing a claim against the at-fault party, their lawyer will need to account for future expected medical and rehabilitation costs.
At-fault drivers may lack sufficient insurance coverage to compensate injured riders. Motorcycle riders often require significant compensation for devastating injuries, and many drivers have insufficient insurance coverage to pay that amount. That’s because many drivers in California carry only the minimum liability insurance coverage. This isn’t enough to pay for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost income. As a result, some injured riders can file an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim with their own motorcycle insurer, adding more work to an already complicated claims process.
TOPICS ON THIS PAGE
- Understanding Why Motorcycle Accident Cases Are More Complicated
- How A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
- Potential Damages In A Motorcycle Accident Claim
- How Long Do You Have To File A Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
- Common Types Of Motorcycle Claims We Help With
- Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
- Common Injuries In Motorcycle Accidents
- Get Help From A Seasoned Folsom Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Now
HOW A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN HELP YOU
- Recovering evidence from the accident to determine how the crash happened and who may be legally liable for your injuries and property damage
- Explaining your legal rights and options, including whether you may be able to pursue financial compensation through your own insurance coverage
- Working with accident reconstruction experts to build a persuasive case on your behalf
- Consulting with medical experts, economists, and long-term care planners to demonstrate the full extent of your losses
- Preparing and filing your claims for compensation with the at-fault parties and their insurance companies
- Handling all communications with insurers and attorneys so that you can focus on your treatment and recovery
- Negotiating for a settlement that provides you with fair and full compensation for your injuries and losses
- Taking your motorcycle accident lawsuit to court if the other side refuses to agree to a fair settlement
Insurance companies try to blame the injured rider for the accident. Unfortunately, insurance companies (even the rider’s own) often try to reduce their financial liability for a motorcycle accident by shifting some of the blame for the crash onto the rider. At-fault drivers and insurers may rely on stereotypes about motorcycle riders as reckless, speeding motorists. If this happens in a motorcycle accident case, the rider and his or her attorney may need additional evidence to establish conclusively that the rider bears no fault for causing the accident.
POTENTIAL DAMAGES IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CLAIM
In a motorcycle accident claim, you may be entitled to financial compensation for expenses and losses related to the wreck. A settlement can also include money for future expenses caused by your injuries and the accident, such as ongoing rehab treatment.
Your compensation may cover:
- Costs of medical treatment related to the crash, including medical bills, prescriptions, physical therapy, medical equipment purchases, and transportation costs to and from appointments and procedures
- Repair or replacement costs for your motorcycle
- Lost income if you missed work to recover from the injuries you suffered in the accident
- Lost earning capacity, if you have a permanently disabling condition caused by the accident
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life due to disabilities, significant scarring, or disfigurement caused by your injuries
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and distress
HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO FILE A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWSUIT?
Under California’s statute of limitations, you typically have only two years from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation. If you wait until after the deadline on your claim, you risk the court dismissing your lawsuit. Protect your claim by contacting an attorney as soon as possible. A lot of legal legwork goes into preparing a lawsuit. The sooner you start on your case, the better.
COMMON TYPES OF MOTORCYCLE CLAIMS WE HELP WITH
Motorcycle broadside collisions, including T-bone collisions at intersections and side-swipe collisions caused by a driver on the highway making an unsafe lane change
Motorcycle crashes near driveways, including those caused by drivers backing up without checking their mirrors or blind spots
Left-turn motorcycle collisions, where drivers turning left fail to yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle
Intersection motorcycle collisions, including T-bone, left-turn, and head-on collisions
Open door motorcycle accidents, in which a driver or passenger of a street-parked vehicle opens their door directly in front of an oncoming motorcycle
U-turn motorcycle accidents, where other motorists collide into a motorcycle rider attempting to make a U-turn at an intersection
Unsafe lane change motorcycle accidents, caused by drivers failing to signal before a lane change or not checking mirrors and blind spots.
Injured motorcycle passengers, including passengers riding on a backseat or in a sidecar
Fatal motorcycle accidents, in which we can help the families of a deceased motorcycle rider pursue a wrongful death claim against an at-fault driver or another party

KELSEY DEPAOLI
Kelsey DePaoli brings experience to a wide variety of personal injury cases, including vehicle collisions, wrongful death, dog bites, premise liability, public entity liability, and general negligence.
RELATED INFORMATION
- Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
- Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
- Motorcycle Broadside Collision
- Injured Motorcycle Passengers
- Motorcycle Crashes Near Driveways
- Motorcycle Rollover Accidents
- Left Turn Motorcycle Collision
- Intersection Motorcycle Collision
- Open Door Motorcycle Accident
- U-Turn Motorcycle Accident
- Unsafe Lane Change Motorcycle Accident
COMMON INJURIES IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
- Road rash
- Lacerations and bruising
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Dislocated joints
- Soft-tissue sprains, strains, and tears
- Herniated spinal discs
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Crush injuries
- Facial injuries
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation
