San Diego is a motorcycle rider’s paradise. Sweeping ocean views, mountain roads, desert highways and a mild climate make for one of the best places in the country to ride.
Unfortunately the popularity of our beautiful roads leads to a significant number of motorcycle accidents. According to the NHTSA, a motorcycle rider is about 35 times more likely to end up in a fatal accident than someone operating a car. Adding to this problem are the busy highways of San Diego as well as distracted drivers and sometimes even drunk drivers.
Rist Law Office has significant experience working on motorcycle accident cases. We have successfully tried motorcycle accident cases and have settled a number of cases for policy limits when the insurance company initially offered little to our client.
When a motorcycle accident occurs, it is imperative to seek the help of an attorney who is experienced in this area of the law. The injuries that occur and standards of care are not as simple in a motorcycle accident case, so having the right law firm can make all of the difference.
In many of these cases, we see riders who struggle to get back on their feet if they are even able to work. Injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident case can be substantial:
When we are hired to work on a San Diego motorcycle accident case, our office immediately examines whether expert witnesses in causation and damages need to be retained. Having a life care planner or vocational expert to provide opinions in these cases can make a huge difference in the eventual settlement or verdict. Our office also works with medical providers to get medical records and organize the opinions of medical providers to present a cohesive story about your treatment at trial or during settlement discussions. These extra steps have resulted in significant victories for past clients.
A motorcyclist injured in an accident can recover the following compensation or damages:
Who is responsible for the accident can have a huge effect on what you can recover in a motorcycle accident case. This is one reason that hiring the best San Diego Motorcycle Accident Lawyer to handle your case can make a ll the difference. In many cases, the other driver’s insurance company will attempt to put together a case that the motorcycle rider was at fault.
The best way to document who is at fault is to use your cell phone to take pictures after an accident. Not only will damages to the vehicle that struck your motorcycle be helpful, but in many cases pictures of skid marks or debris fields left after a motorcycle accident can be critical to establishing fault.
If there are any witnesses at the scene, make sure that you independently get their names and phone numbers – don’t just rely on the police report. Witness testimony can be the difference in a full recovery in a serious accident case.
In cases filed in San Diego, California, someone injured in a motorcycle accident can still recover damages even if they are found more at fault for the accident by a jury. The damages reward will be reduced by the percentage of fault found for the driver. This is why it is key to document everything possible following a motorcycle accident.
Expertise.com recently named our office one of the Top 11 Best Motorcycle Accident Law Firms in San Diego. After reviewing 1,009 motorcycle accident firms, we received this award based on our professionalism and reputation. We also received an “A+” rating in a number of different areas of our work, reflecting our continued work in helping motorcycle accident victims in San Diego.
For more information about our work in motorcycle accident cases, or to speak to a lawyer in our San Diego office, call us at (619) 377-4660. There is never a charge to discuss an accident case with a potential client. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee unless your case is settled or won at trial.