Types of Compensation Awarded in Most Motorcycle Wrecks
In California, victims of motorcycle accidents are entitled to compensation for their losses. If you were injured in a motorcycle wreck, the specific types and amounts of compensation that you will be entitled to will depend on your particular situation. However, you could receive these types of compensation:
- Past and future medical expenses.
- Past and future wage losses, which may include lost vacation and sick pay, commissions, bonuses, and other perks of your job.
- Lost earning capacity losses if you must make a career change or are permanently disabled due to your injuries.
- Pain and suffering damages to compensate you for the emotional distress, pain, and suffering that you endured due to your accident and your injuries.
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one died in a motorcycle accident
Five Reasons You Need an Experienced Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorney
There are a few situations where you may not need to retain an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. In minor accidents where you only had small medical expenses and only injuries like a sprained wrist or a cut requiring stitches, you can probably settle your claim on your own. However, in most cases, you would be a serious disadvantage if you tried to negotiate your settlement with the insurance adjuster. Even if the other driver’s negligence is clear-cut, the adjuster will look for disputes to use to deny or reduce your claim.
You do not want to go it alone if you suffered any serious injuries, especially when the insurance company is trying to deny or reduce your claim. Even if the insurance company offers you a settlement, you do not have the experience to know whether the offer really compensates you fairly for your losses.
Here are ways that retaining an attorney can strengthen your claim:
- Your attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of your accident to prove the other driver’s negligence.
- Your attorney can collect your medical records, employment records, police report, and other evidence that you will need to prove liability, your injuries, and the amount of compensation that you are owed.
- Your attorney can retain expert witnesses that you may need, such as a doctor, accident reconstruction expert, or economic expert.
- Your attorney can guide you through the process of filing a claim and negotiate your settlement.
- Your attorney can file a civil lawsuit and litigate your right to compensation when the insurance company will not pay you what you deserve.
Contact Our Experienced Orange County Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
If you must file a claim for compensation following a motorcycle accident, the process of settling your claim could be complex and lengthy. At Case Barnett Law, we have an extensive checklist—over 250 items long—of all the critical steps we take to successfully resolve our clients’ cases. To build a strong case, our legal team will conduct a thorough investigation of your accident, hire experts who could help you prove a disputed issue, and attempt to negotiate your claim once we know the amount of your past and future damages.
Unlike other attorneys, we will not try to quickly settle your claim if the insurance company is not offering you a fair settlement. In this situation, we will aggressively litigate your claim. This involves filing a civil complaint and engaging in discovery, which may include written questions to answer, requests for production of documents, and depositions. While many cases will settle during this phase of a lawsuit, our experienced attorneys are not afraid to take your case to trial if this is in your best interests. We enjoy conducting jury trials and have a track record of success at trial as well as settlement of our client’s claims.
You can find out whether you have a valid case at no cost to you. That’s because we offer free consultations. To request a free consultation with our team, reach out by calling 949-409-0055 or filling out the online contact form below. We have been proudly servicing clients throughout Costa Mesa, California and the surrounding areas.
Case Barnett Law Invites Members of Motorcycle Clubs to Call Us for a Free Consultation at Any Time
We will discuss your accident, your legal options, and what you can expect if you retain our firm. We can also review your current insurance policy to make sure you have the proper liability and underinsured coverage in the event of an accident. We welcome members of the following riding groups:
OC Motorcycle Skills Builder
Orange County Trail Riders
West Coast Riders
To schedule your appointment, call our office today at (949) 861-2990 or contact us here.