Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in West Covina

Motorcycle accidents can leave the motorcycle rider with serious and even permanent injuries. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, the financial compensation, legally known as damages, available to you as a victim can be extensive. You may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages, which can help cover the costs of your medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

To get the maximum legally allowed for your injuries, it’s crucial you work with an experienced West Covina motorcycle accident lawyer who understands the law and knows how to get you the compensation you deserve.

The Dominguez Firm has been helping motorcycle riders for over 35 years. They have a 96%* success rate and have recovered over $1 billion* for clients. If you or a loved one were injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, call us for a free consultation at (800)818-1818.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important you seek medical attention immediately, even if you think you’re not injured. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding, may not be apparent right away. Here are some of the most common injuries you’re likely to face due to a motorcycle accident:

Head Injuries

A head injury is one of the most common—and potentially severe—injuries that can be sustained in a motorcycle accident. Because motorcycles do not provide any external protection for riders, victims can suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in an accident, especially if they are thrown from their bikes. 

Common types of TBIs suffered by motorcycle accident victims include concussions, brain hemorrhages and skull fractures. Concussions and other types of TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive problems and serious health complications. If you have suffered a TBI in a motorcycle accident, it is vital to seek medical attention immediately and consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer in West Covina who can help you protect your rights and recover the compensation you deserve. 

Road Rash

Another common injury motorcycle riders suffer is road rash, which is caused when the skin comes into contact with the pavement at high speeds. Road rash can be extremely painful and often requires extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts in severe cases. 

Broken Bones

Motorcycle riders are also prone to suffering broken bones in accidents due to the lack of external protection on their vehicles. The most common broken bones we see in clients involved in motorcycle accidents include fractured pelvises, collarbones, and ribs. These types of injuries often require surgery and lengthy recovery periods. 

Spinal Cord Injuries  

Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious injuries that can be sustained in any accident. A spinal cord injury can lead to paralysis or other serious health complications that can last a lifetime. Due to the nature of motorcycle accidents, they are all too common among riders involved in collisions.

Damages Available to West Covina Motorcycle Accident Victims

The damages available for your injuries depend on your case’s specifics, but generally speaking, you are entitled to economic and non-economic damages. Here’s a brief overview of each.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are those that have a specific monetary value attached to them. The bulk will cover your medical expenses including ambulance fees, hospital bills and any needed surgeries, among others. They would also include lost wages and loss of future earnings if you can’t return to your original job. In more severe cases, you might not be able to return to work at all. That would also factor into your final settlement amount. Essentially, any financial losses directly attributed to the accident would fall under economic damages. 

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, don’t have a specific monetary value attached to them. They are meant to compensate you for the emotional cost of your accident injury. This could include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Because these types of losses are more challenging to quantify, they are often calculated as a multiple of economic damages. For example, a victim who has sustained $100,000 in economic damages might be awarded an additional $250,000 in non-economic damages for a total award of $350,000. 

If you suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, it’s important you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer right away. Don’t wait for the insurance company to make things right, because they most likely won’t, regardless of how badly you’re injured. At The Dominguez Firm, we offer free consultations at (800) 818-1818. We will fight for your rights and the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.

How California Determines Fault for Motorcycle Accidents

How do insurance companies determine who is at fault? Let’s take a look.

There are two main ways that insurance companies determine fault in a motorcycle accident: 

The first way is by looking at the police report. It usually contains a diagram of the accident scene and witness statements. Based on this information, the insurance company will determine who they believe is at fault. Note that there is one issue with this. Generally, the motorcycle rider needs to be rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, so they can’t give their version of how the accident happened. This usually leads to a biased police report. This is another reason why it’s so important to have a personal injury lawyer by your side.

The second way is by looking at photos of the damage to the vehicles. This can help determine which direction the vehicles were traveling and who had the right of way. 

Keep in mind that insurance companies are not always impartial when it comes to assigning fault, especially for motorcycle accidents. The stereotype of the daredevil motorcyclist still exists. They might try to blame you even if you were not at fault. That’s why it’s essential to consult with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer before doing anything else. An experienced attorney can deal with the insurance adjusters, help ensure that your rights are protected and fight to make sure you are fairly compensated for your injuries. 

What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

If you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is vital to know what steps to take afterward. The moments and hours after an accident can be crucial, and how you handle the situation can significantly impact the outcome of your case. 

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of what to do (and what not to do) after a motorcycle accident. By following these steps, you’ll give yourself the best possible chance for a successful outcome.

Seek Medical Attention

This should be your number one priority after any accident. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a medical professional. In many cases, injuries sustained in an accident are not immediately apparent but can develop over time. So get yourself to a hospital or doctor as soon as possible and let them know that you were recently in a motorcycle accident.

Gather Evidence

Once you’ve taken care of your immediate health and well-being, it’s time to start thinking about gathering evidence from the accident scene. If you can, take photos of the damage to your motorcycle and any other vehicles involved in the accident. You should also take photos of any visible injuries you sustained. It’s also a good idea to get contact information (name, phone number, address, etc.) from any eyewitnesses to the accident. These people could potentially be valuable witnesses if your case goes to court. 

Contact an Attorney

After you’ve taken care of medical attention and gathered evidence, the next step is to contact a qualified personal injury attorney in West Covina with experience handling motorcycle accidents. An experienced attorney can guide you through every step of the process and ensure your rights are protected. They will also be able to help you build a strong case so that you can get the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. 

No Win, No Fee Guarantee

At The Dominguez Firm, we work on a contingency basis. This simply means we only get paid from a percentage of our final settlement or verdict if we win your case. If your case is unsuccessful, which is highly unlikely, you owe nothing.

The Benefits of Working with a Lawyer on a Contingency Basis

There are many benefits to working with a lawyer on a contingency basis—not least of which is the fact that it makes legal services more accessible to those who wouldn’t be able to afford them otherwise. We know that if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident and are struggling to pay your medical bills and support yourself or your family, the last thing you need is another bill to worry about. When you work with us on a contingency basis, you can focus on getting better while we handle the legal side of things and deal with the insurance company. 

Another benefit of working with us on a contingency fee basis is that it incentivizes us to get the best possible results for our clients. If we don’t win your case, we don’t get paid—simple as that. This means we have skin in the game and will fight tooth and nail to ensure you get the maximum compensation you deserve. 

Let The Dominguez Firm Represent You for Your Motorcycle Accident Case

If you were in a motorcycle accident, it is important to seek legal representation. Our West Covina motorcycle accident lawyers can help you file a claim and seek compensation for your injuries. The Dominguez Firm has been helping motorcycle riders for over 35 years and has a 96%* success rate. In that time we have recovered over $1 billion* for clients. Contact us at (800) 818-1818 for your free consultation.