A San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Who Will Go to Battle for You
Riding a motorcycle carries inherent risks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists were nearly 24 times more likely to die in traffic accidents; their likelihood of injury was fourfold. Motorcycles do not have a protective frame or structure similar to a car, which leaves riders with minimal safeguarding in the event of a collision.
Also, because motorcycles are considerably smaller than cars, motorcyclists tend to bear the brunt of the damage in an accident with a motor vehicle. Factors such as poor road conditions, high traffic volume, and weather can also increase the risk of being injured in a motorcycle accident. Injuries incurred while riding a motorcycle may last a lifetime.
For this reason, choosing an experienced San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer, like the attorneys at Ribera Law Firm, is critical in order for you to obtain full compensation for your injuries.
What Should I Do If I Am Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?
- Contact the police from the scene of the accident, especially if you think you and/or a loved one may be injured, and request that they prepare a police report.
- Obtain the names of witnesses, their addresses, and telephone numbers.
- Obtain medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident. Importantly, make sure to seek a comprehensive medical assessment and get a proper diagnosis. If someone at the scene of the accident offers to call you an ambulance, do not refuse.
- If possible, take photos of your motorcycle and all vehicles involved in the accident, as well as the location of where the accident took place.
- Take photos and/or video of any injuries you and/or a loved one have sustained at various points in your recovery process. This includes even minor cuts or abrasions that can heal more quickly than other injuries.
- Contact a qualified San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer or personal injury attorney, like those at Ribera Law Firm, who handles motorcycle accident cases and/or injury accidents that were caused by a motorcycle (i.e., if you or a loved one were a pedestrian and hit by a motorcycle).
What Actions Should I Avoid If I Am Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?
- Do not provide a statement to an insurance company (even your own) until you have spoken with a San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer, like the attorneys at Ribera Law Firm, and understand your rights.
- Avoid acknowledging responsibility or wrongdoing to anyone at the scene of the collision, to a doctor, or to any insurance adjuster (even your own) until you have spoken with an attorney and understand your rights.
- Avoid making assumptions about your conduct or speculating about your conduct prior to the collision when interacting with law enforcement following the collision.
- Do not refuse an ambulance at the scene of the collision or otherwise delay seeking medical treatment.
When Should I Consider Hiring a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident?
Following a motorcycle accident, you should contact a motorcycle accident lawyer, like the attorneys at Ribera Law Firm, as soon as possible if both of the following are true:
- You suffered significant injuries necessitating substantial medical treatment, hospitalizations, and/or disabling effects impacting your ability to work and
- You believe that a third party may be responsible for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit Against the Party Who Caused My Injuries?
Typically, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit against the party or parties who caused your injuries. However, if you were injured by a vehicle owned by a governmental entity or if a governmental entity could be responsible for your injuries, you have only six months from the date of the incident to file a Government Tort Claim.
Due to the serious nature of a motorcycle crash, it is extremely important that you contact an experienced San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer, like the attorneys at Ribera Law Firm, as soon as possible following your injury so that you do not miss any deadlines that may prevent you from receiving compensation for your injuries.
What Is My Case Worth?
If your motorcycle accident injury case is successful, you could be entitled to recover an array of financial compensation. Your damages could cover all of your losses from the crash, potentially returning you to the financial position you were in before you were injured.
In most cases, there are two categories of damages available to compensate you for your injuries and losses: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are designed to return a person to their original financial position prior to the accident and include compensation for past and future medical expenses, as well as past and future wage loss and/or earning capacity. Non-economic damages are the subjective effects of a crash, including your past and future physical pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, and emotional distress.
While our attorneys cannot promise a specific financial outcome for your case, what we can promise is the relentless pursuit of the compensation you deserve. Let a San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer from Ribera Law Firm help you pursue justice so that you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.
Why Are Motorcycle Accident Injuries So Severe?
Motorcycle accident injuries are often severe due to the lack of physical protection riders have compared to occupants of cars and trucks. Motorcycles are not equipped with airbags, roll cages, or seat belts that safeguard the operators of other vehicles. This leaves a rider directly exposed to a potential collision with other moving vehicles. Even with helmets and protective gear, the impact of a crash can result in catastrophic injuries.
Another factor contributing to the severity of motorcycle accident injuries is the dynamics of the crashes themselves. Motorcycles are lighter and less stable than cars, making riders more likely to be thrown from the vehicle during a collision. This often results in secondary impacts with the road, other vehicles, or nearby fixed objects like walls or trees. This secondary impact can often be more devastating than the crash itself.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries due to the limited protection riders have compared to occupants of larger vehicles. Even with proper safety gear, the impact of a crash can cause devastating physical harm. Below are some of the most common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even with helmets, riders can suffer concussions or severe brain damage.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: High-impact crashes can cause paralysis or permanent spinal damage, requiring lifelong medical care.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Arms, legs, and ribs are commonly broken, often needing surgery and long recovery periods.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma may damage organs or cause internal bleeding, requiring immediate medical attention.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Torn muscles and ligaments are common, often leading to chronic pain and reduced mobility.
- Road Rash: Sliding across pavement can cause painful abrasions, infections, and permanent scarring.
Why Should I Choose Ribera Law Firm to Represent Me in My Motorcycle Injury Case?
A San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer from Ribera Law Firm has the litigation experience and expertise to obtain the greatest amount of compensation for your injuries and losses, which includes compensation for your past and future medical expenses, loss of income and/or earning capacity, as well as past and future pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
With numerous multi-million-dollar settlements obtained on behalf of its clients, Ribera Law Firm is highly skilled at negotiating with difficult and evasive insurance companies. Ribera Law Firm’s attorneys move swiftly to investigate and obtain all necessary evidence in order to ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries as expeditiously as possible.
Contact a San Francisco Motorcycle Accident Lawyer from Ribera Law Firm Who Will Be By Your Side Throughout This Process
Being injured in an accident can be one of the most traumatizing and stressful experiences you endure in your lifetime. Let the attorneys at Ribera Law Firm help you through this time.
Whether it involves connecting you with a counselor or taking over the constant communications with insurance companies, it is the mission of the attorneys at Ribera Law Firm to take any additional burdens you are dealing with off of your shoulders so that you can focus on what is most important – your recovery. If you are in need of help, call a San Francisco motorcycle accident lawyer from Ribera Law Firm for a free consultation.