Chico Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Chico Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcyclists in and around Chico take great care when riding on the road. Unfortunately, not all drivers are as cautious. A collision or near collision can force a motorcyclist off the road or cause a direct impact that leaves the riders seriously or even gravely injured. Anyone who was harmed in a motorcycle collision can hire a Chico motorcycle accident lawyer to represent them through the claims process.

For more than five decades, residents in Chico have relied on Barr and Mudford to get results. Our law firm puts the interests of our clients first, and we do not settle for less than our clients are owed. When receiving compensation matters, you can rely on Barr and Mudford to hold the at-fault party accountable.

Why Choose Barr and Mudford

Victims of motorcycle accidents often face multiple challenges following their injury. There are immediate medical bills that can pile up and missed time from work that can create serious and long-lasting financial hardships. Serious injuries can leave an injured motorcyclist feeling uncertain about the future. In the midst of these ordeals, having legal representation can lend a semblance of certainty to an uncertain situation.

The attorneys of Barr and Mudford can work tirelessly to see that the party or parties who are responsible for your injury are held responsible for their negligence or misconduct. In the civil courts, justice often comes in the form of financial compensation that can pay for your past and upcoming medical treatments. You may even qualify for compensation for emotional distress. Our lawyers understand the state’s personal injury laws and how to maximize your settlement.

Causes of Motorcycle Collisions

Many of the causes of motorcycle collisions are the causes of vehicle accidents in general. Our law firm often represents clients who were harmed due to these types of negligence or misconduct by the at-fault party. Some of these causes are:

• Aggressive driving. Aggressive drivers often engage in risky behaviors like weaving through traffic, cutting off other vehicles, and speeding. These actions reduce reaction time, making it harder to avoid a collision with a motorcycle. Reckless behavior can leave defendants open to punitive damages.
• Driving while under the influence. Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction times, which are crucial for safe driving. For motorcyclists, even a slight miscalculation by an impaired driver can have devastating consequences. We frequently assist clients in seeking justice when they are injured by intoxicated drivers.
• Speeding. Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react to sudden changes on the road, increasing the severity of any collision. Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable when drivers are speeding, as high speeds amplify the risk of serious injuries.
• Distracted driving. Distracted drivers, whether texting, adjusting the radio, or eating, can easily overlook motorcycles on the road. Even a brief distraction can lead to severe injuries for motorcyclists, who are harder to spot than larger vehicles.
• Tailgating. Following too closely behind a motorcycle reduces the space needed for a safe stop, leading to dangerous rear-end collisions. Motorcyclists need a buffer for sudden stops or unexpected obstacles. Our firm often represents riders injured by drivers who tailgate and fail to respect this necessary safety distance.
• Not looking before changing lanes. Failing to check blind spots or mirrors before switching lanes can lead to severe consequences for motorcyclists. Motorcycles are smaller and often less visible, making them easy to miss during a quick lane change.

No matter the type of negligence that caused your accident, our law firm can fight to make sure that you receive the compensation that you are owed. Once we establish fault, we can pursue compensation directly or through the courts.

Establishing Fault

Before your attorney can pursue compensation for your injury, your lawyer can determine fault using the evidence that is available. Establishing liability requires examining several sources of evidence, including the police report tied to the accident, photos of the crash scene, eyewitness testimony, and other sources of evidence.

California follows the legal framework of the pure comparative negligence system when it comes to determining what percentage of the settlement or jury verdict a plaintiff is lawfully entitled to. This principle is rooted in California Civil Code Section 1714(a), which establishes that everyone is responsible for injuries caused by their lack of ordinary care.

Each party involved in an accident can be assigned a percentage of fault, but injured parties can still recover damages even if they are mostly at fault. Their compensation is simply reduced by their percentage of responsibility for the accident. For instance, if someone is 70% at fault, they can still claim the remaining 30% of their damages.

How an Attorney Can Help You Find Compensation Following an Accident

Once your attorney has gathered sufficient evidence to establish fault, the next step is to demand that the at-fault party pay for your injury and the damage to your motorcycle. Anyone who owns or operates a car is required to maintain liability insurance coverage. In California, that requirement means that drivers must have policies that cover $15,000 in the event of an injury or death caused by an accident and $30,000 for bodily injury or death of more than one person.

Your attorney can negotiate directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier to demand that you are given a fair settlement that pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses suffered following the motorcycle accident. If the insurance company makes a fair settlement offer, that could resolve your claim.

There are cases where the driver is uninsured or underinsured. That does not absolve the at-fault party from financial liability. Your attorney can take the at-fault driver to court by filing a personal injury claim. Most civil court claims are resolved when the defendant offers a fair settlement. If they do not, your lawyer can take the case to trial, where a judge or jury ultimately decides if the defendant is at fault for causing the accident and what they should pay.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Motorcycle Accident in California?

A: In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a motorcycle accident is generally two years from the date of the accident. This means you have two years to initiate legal action for injuries sustained. For property damage claims, such as damage to your motorcycle, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. It’s important to note that certain exceptions may apply, potentially altering these timeframes.

Q: Should I Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident in California?

A: If you were injured in a car accident, even a minor accident, you have the right to seek compensation by hiring a personal injury attorney. By setting up a consultation, you can gain advice from a personal injury attorney who can assess your case and make recommendations about whether you have sufficient grounds for a successful personal injury claim.

Q: How Much Is a Motorcycle Accident Settlement in California?

A: A motorcycle accident settlement can be substantial, especially when you have strong legal representation. A personal injury attorney can carefully review your case to calculate the full value of what you are owed. Settlement factors could include lost wages, medical bills, and even pain and suffering, among other forms of economic and non-economic damages.

Q: What Can I Be Compensated for Following a Motorcycle Accident?

A: Following a motorcycle accident, you may be compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Compensation can also cover pain and suffering, which accounts for emotional distress and physical discomfort from the accident. In severe cases, you may receive punitive damages if the at-fault party acted with extreme negligence to discourage similar behavior.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in California?

A: The statute of limitations for most personal injuries, including motorcycle accident claims, is two years from the date of the injury. There are a few exceptions to this legal deadline. Failing to file a claim in time would likely mean that the plaintiff is unable to use the courts to seek compensation. Working with an attorney soon after an injury can ensure that important filing deadlines are met.

Schedule Your Chico Motorcycle Accident Consultation Today

A motorcycle accident can lead to life-altering changes in your life, but it doesn’t have to cause financial hardships for you and your loved ones. For more than 50 years, Barr and Mudford have stood by injured motorcycle accident victims and helped them receive the compensation they are owed. Our team is dedicated to fighting for every dollar you deserve.

Receiving fair compensation can greatly reduce the stress you and your family are experiencing.

Take the first step by contacting our office today to set up a consultation. One of our lawyers can meet with you to review your case and answer any questions that you have. We can handle the busy work of negotiating a settlement or filing a claim in court while you focus on recovering.