Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Northern California

Providing Relentless & Committed Representation since 2010

While any type of accident on the roadway can be precarious, motorcycle crashes are particularly dangerous. Since the driver is exposed to the elements and not restrained or protected by seat belts, air bags, or a steel frame, the threat of serious injury or death is high. If you have been involved in a motorcycle crash and are able to walk away, you are one of the lucky ones.

But, even if you live through a motorcycle crash, you still have plenty of consequences and side effects to deal with. Odds are, you have probably suffered some personal injuries requiring moderate to extensive medical attention.

What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Some of the most common injuries associated to motorcycle crashes are:

• Bone fractures. Since motorcycles cannot physically stand upright on their own, accidents cause the bike to fall over. In this case, the driver can suffer broken or fractured bones.
• Road rash. Because motorcycles do not enclose the driver, occupants usually make contact with the road surface during an accident. Even with protective clothing, this high-force contact can leave severe skin abrasions known as road rash. These could be minimal scratches, second-degree burns, or third-degree road rash, which completely removes the skin.
• Head injuries. Some of the most serious injuries related to motorcycle crashes are head injuries. Although wearing a helmet can seriously reduce the risk of head injury, it does not completely eliminate it. Motorcycle accidents that throw the occupant to the ground can lead to concussions or serious brain damage.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

Just like after a car accident, it’s important to make sure that injuries are treated as quickly as possible. If you’re able, move yourself and your motorcycle out of the path of flowing traffic. Unfortunately for Northern California motorcyclists, the freeways are fast-moving and dangerous. After you’ve already crashed, the last thing anyone wants is to get run over by oncoming traffic.

If you’re able, taking pictures of the immediate damage, area, and time of day is helpful evidence to have when it comes time to file your injury claim. Requesting a copy of the police report is also helpful, as well as your right. Of course, exchange information with the other driver: name, license information, auto insurance, and contact information.

Finally, contact a Northern California motorcycle accident attorney. So often motorcyclists are blamed for accidents and that simply isn’t always the case. Protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve by contacting an attorney as quickly as possible after your accident.

What Is the Most Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents?

Hands down, the most common cause of motorcycle accidents is negligence. Frequently, this negligence is on the part of other motorists who are distracted, speeding, or simply not paying attention. Unfortunately, this can have disastrous consequences for motorcycle drivers and their passengers.

What exactly does this negligence look like? Essentially, any time another motorist (or any person/party) fails to uphold the duty of care they owe to others, including motorcyclists with whom they share the road, that person or party has acted negligently. Negligence can include careless, reckless, and/or unlawful driving behaviors.

Examples of this negligence include:

• Texting while driving
• Driving drunk
• Looking at a cell phone or hand-held device while operating a vehicle
• Speeding
• Violating traffic laws
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Opening parked car doors into lanes of traffic
• Cutting a motorcyclist off in traffic
• Merging into a motorcyclist who is lawfully lane-splitting
• Turning across an oncoming motorcyclist’s path
• Engaging in road rage and reckless or aggressive driving
• Unsafe passing

All of these and other driving behaviors constitute negligence and, when a motorcyclist is injured due to someone else’s negligence, he or she has the right to take legal action against the at-fault party.

What Type of Compensation Is Available to People Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

Depending on the severity of the incident, motorcyclists injured in an accident may be eligible to receive financial compensation for their pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and other losses caused by the accident. This compensation is provided through the at-fault party’s insurance company and/or via a personal injury lawsuit.

When it comes to filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, hiring a San Francisco motorcycle accident attorney can make all the difference. Your lawyer will investigate your case thoroughly to determine who was responsible for causing the crash as well as what types of damages you are entitled to recover. A California motorcycle accident lawyer will also assess any evidence related to your case and file all necessary paperwork and motions in court.

What is the Statute of Limitations for a Motorcycle Accident in the Bay Area?

In California, the statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident claim is two years from the date of the crash. This means that an injured person has two years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party if they want to pursue compensation.
It’s important to note that this timeline can vary depending on certain circumstances — such as when a minor was involved in the incident — so it’s best to speak with an experienced San Francisco motorcycle accident attorney who can review your case and provide advice on what needs to be done before time runs out.

How Can Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in California Help You?

The job of a San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer is to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need, deserve, and are entitled to receive. Your lawyer will also handle all communication with insurance companies and other parties involved in the claim as well as provide legal advice throughout the entire process.

Moreover, an experienced California motorcycle accident law firm can help you maximize your financial recovery by gathering evidence related to your claim, determining who was at fault for causing the crash, assessing any economic or non-economic losses sustained due to your injuries (like pain and suffering), negotiating with insurance adjusters on your behalf, filing a personal injury lawsuit if necessary, and more.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, do not hesitate — contact an experienced San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer today! Our team at the Law Offices of J.Chrisp is here to help. We have been representing Northern California motorcyclists since 2010 and we will fight for the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Us?

At the Law Offices of J.Chrisp, we have plenty of experience with personal injury cases resulting from motorcycle crashes. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our motorcycle accident lawyers in Northern California. We also serve clients across Lake County, San Francisco, and Santa Rosa.

You should choose the Law Offices of J.Chrisp because of our:

• Success. In the past nine years, we have settled thousands of cases and obtained millions of dollars for our clients. When you choose the Law Offices of J.Chrisp, you are choosing a high success rate.
• Experience. While most personal injury lawyers are only familiar with law, our attorneys are extremely knowledgeable with the insurance industry and the field of medicine. We know which doctors the insurance companies want you to go to and how they treat cases. We can guide you through the process and avoid pitfalls that destroy most personal injury cases.
• Care. At the Law Offices of J.Chrisp, we treat each case with personal attention to detail. That’s because you are more than another case to us. You are a person with a story. Our attorneys are happy to visit you in the hospital, in your home, or at the scene of an accident.
• Recognition. We are members of the SFTLA, CAOC, AAJ, Lake County Bar, and San Francisco Bar Associations. In 2013 and 2014, we were selected to Northern California Rising Stars℠.

Client Reviews

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

Eddie Berengue

Jesse Chrisp is the best! He’s local, personable, professional, extremely knowledgeable and an experienced attorney who actually cares about you and your case! He will take your call or will return your call in a timely manner. He’s incredibly skilled at what he does and a true pro! You will thank me for recommending Jesse Chrisp and his office at The Law Offices of J. Chrisp! The best in Northern California!

Gerard Fowler

J. Chrisp and his associates took care of my legal needs in a professional, timely manner. Updates were frequent and regular and all my questions and concerns were addressed thoroughly. The outcome was far better than expected.

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