Fighting for Maximum Compensation After a Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycle riding is a popular passion in Southern California, offering exhilarating views and a unique way to navigate the traffic of Los Angeles County. However, the freedom of motorcycle riding comes with extreme risk. When a negligent driver fails to see a motorcycle rider, the resulting motorcycle crash can lead to devastating, life-altering injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a wreck on the 210 Freeway, on busy streets like Fair Oaks Avenue, or anywhere in the city, you need an aggressive advocate with a proven track record. The Pasadena motorcycle accident attorneys at Cohen & Marzban Law Corporation are committed to securing the maximum compensation you deserve.
Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
A motorcycle crash is rarely the fault of the motorcycle rider. Data shows the majority of motorcycle collisions are caused by the failure of a negligent driver of a car or truck to detect the motorcyclist. Our Pasadena motorcycle accident attorneys thoroughly investigate every potential cause:
Driver Negligence Is the Primary Cause
The most frequent cause of motorcycle accidents is driver negligence, including:
- Distracted driving: Drivers looking at a phone or distracted by passengers often miss a motorcyclist in their blind spot or when performing a turn.
- Failure to yield: This is common at intersections in Pasadena. When a driver makes a left-hand turn directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, it is often a catastrophic event.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): Impaired judgment leads to devastating outcomes for vulnerable motorcycle riders.
Road Hazards and Vehicle Defects
Sometimes, the responsibility lies outside of driver negligence:
- Road defects: Potholes, poor maintenance, gravel, or debris can cause a rider to lose control and suffer severe injuries.
- Defective tires or parts: A failure in the motorcycle itself, such as a defective tire or faulty brakes, can be the basis of a product liability claim.
Understanding California Motorcycle Laws and Liability
To successfully pursue a motorcycle accident claim, it is essential to understand California motorcycle laws. While many car accidents involve minor injuries, nearly all motorcycle collisions involve serious injury, which makes establishing liability crucial.
Lane Splitting
California motorcycle laws permit lane splitting, which means a motorcyclist can ride between lanes of stopped or moving traffic. However, this often leads to drivers being surprised or claiming the rider was at fault. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorney team knows how to counter defense arguments that attempt to blame the rider for performing this legal maneuver.
Helmet Laws
Under California law, all motorcycle riders must wear DOT-approved helmets. However, the insurance company cannot use a lack of a helmet to avoid responsibility for other injuries sustained by the negligent party. We fight to ensure this technicality does not prevent you from recovering full compensation.
Common and Catastrophic Motorcycle Accident Injuries
The lack of protection in a motorcycle wreck almost always results in more severe trauma than a car crash. Our legal team is deeply familiar with the true cost of these catastrophic injuries.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Ranging from mild concussions to severe brain damage, TBIs require long-term care, cognitive therapy, and often lead to lost income.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring a lifetime of costly care.
- Amputations & fractures: Severe bone fractures or loss of limbs requiring surgery, pins, and extensive rehabilitation. We fight to ensure full coverage for these physical injuries.
- Road rash and burns: Severe skin abrasions that can lead to permanent scarring, nerve damage, and require painful skin graft procedures.
If you have suffered injuries such as these, you are owed compensation for all the ways your life has changed, including both physical and emotional distress.
How We Secure Full and Fair Compensation
The complexity of a motorcycle accident claim requires a tenacious Pasadena motorcycle accident attorney. We aim to recover compensation for every dollar you are owed through both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These damages cover calculable financial losses, including:
- Medical bills: Covers past, current, and anticipated healthcare expenses such as emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and physical therapy.
- Lost wages and lost income: Compensation for time missed at work, reduced earning capacity, and future income losses caused by your injuries.
- Property damage: Reimbursement for repair or replacement of your motorcycle, helmet, riding gear, and other damaged property.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages compensate you for intangible, non-financial losses:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and discomfort experienced during and after the accident.
- Emotional distress: Covers psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD related to the crash.
- Loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium: Compensation for the inability to engage in daily activities, hobbies, or loss of companionship and intimacy.
Our legal strategy is designed to maximize every element of your financial recovery.
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