Head-On Collision Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles
While all motorcycle accidents can result in significant injuries, head-on collisions are the most serious. The injuries can be debilitating and even fatal.
If you’ve been in a serious accident, hire Los Angeles head-on motorcycle accident attorneys to represent you. Then, you can begin the process of collecting damages. Find out more about these accidents and how head-on motorcycle crash lawyers can help.
What Injuries Are Common in Head-On Motorcycle Crashes?
Head-on motorcycle crashes can cause a wealth of serious injuries. Neck sprains are one such injury. People who suffer such an injury can get a motorcycle accident neck sprain injury attorney to help them recover damages.
People can also suffer broken bones, road rash, and traumatic brain injuries. Also, head-on collisions can cause paralysis. Unfortunately, head-on crashes can also be fatal. When someone dies in a crash, a loved one can hire a fatal motorcycle accident attorney to handle the case.
What Causes Motorcycle Head-On Collisions?
Head-on collisions are caused by a variety of factors. Los Angeles head-on motorcycle accident attorneys investigate the cause of the accidents as part of determining fault. Often, these accidents are caused when a driver loses control when going around a curve. The driver ends up in the incorrect lane, leading to an accident.
These accidents can also be caused by passing when driving down a two-lane road. This causes the vehicle to go into the opposite lane and can lead to a head-on collision. Some drivers get in a head-on collision when attempting to make a left turn before the light turns red. It’s not unusual for drivers to swerve in front of the oncoming traffic to accomplish this.
Other causes of head-on collisions include driver fatigue, distracted driving, and impaired driving. Also, you can get into a head-on collision due to debris on the road. Swerving to avoid the debris can cause a violent crash.
How to Prove Liability and Receive Compensation in Head-On Motorcycle Accidents?
Before you can recover damages, you have to prove liability. First, you must establish that the other driver owed you a duty of care. In most instances, drivers owe a duty of care to obey traffic laws, so this is pretty easy to prove. It becomes more complicated if an accident occurred on private property, but motorcycle head-on collision lawyers in Los Angeles can handle those cases, as well.
Next, you have to establish that the other driver breached the duty of care. As you know, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws. Assume that a driver runs a red light and hits your motorcycle head-on. It’s clear the driver broke the duty of care.
Finally, you have to prove that breaching the duty of care resulted in your injury. In this instance, the breach might cause you to fly off your motorcycle and break bones. It would be clear that breaching the duty of care caused your injuries.
This is a simple example of establishing liability, but it’s often much more complicated. Sometimes, both parties are at fault to a degree. When establishing liability, you need to also determine if you were at fault and if so, what percentage of the fault belongs to you.
Because California is a pure comparative negligence state, you can sue, even if you were at fault. In fact, California is the rare state that allows you to sue if you are 99 percent at fault. Your damages are reduced based on the degree of fault.
After you decide if you share the blame, you need to determine your losses. You should consider your past, current, and future economic losses, including medical bills and reduced earning capacity. Los Angeles head-on motorcycle accident attorneys usually collect non-economic damages, as well.
How an Attorney Can Help
Proving liability can be quite complicated in these cases, especially with California’s pure comparative negligence law. The insurance company will use lawyers to tear apart your case. Even if the other driver is at fault, the company’s lawyers will do everything in their power to avoid paying you.
If that doesn’t work, the insurance company will try the next best thing. It will extend a lowball settlement offer that won’t cover all of your expenses. Fortunately, motorcycle head-on collision lawyers in Los Angeles can help you prove liability and receive damages.
Los Angeles head-on motorcycle accident attorneys will research the accident to establish negligence and liability. The attorneys will also speak to the insurance company and lawyers on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about saying something that could damage your case.
Also, Los Angeles head-on motorcycle accident attorneys will determine the appropriate compensation for your claim. That will include economic and non-economic damages.
Consulting a Los Angeles Head-On Bike Collision Lawyer
Consulting with an attorney is the first step in the legal process. Contact a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer to schedule a free consultation. The motorcycle accident attorney can even give you access to physicians who won’t charge upfront fees for medical services.