San Jose Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Compared to passenger vehicle drivers, motorcycle riders face a greater chance of sustaining severe injuries from motorcycle crashes. When a motorcyclist is involved in a collision with a car or truck, they often face catastrophic injuries that affect them physically, emotionally, and financially. Recovering from a motorcycle collision can be a long, painful, and expensive journey for injured motorcyclists. They need to know they have options to recover compensation.

If you’re a motorcyclist who was injured and you’re struggling with expenses such as medical bills, lost income, and property damage, call the San Jose motorcycle accident lawyers at Valley Accident Attorneys and request a free consultation. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys can help you fight for the maximum compensation you need to deal with your injuries today and in the future.

Hire the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in San Jose

The best motorcycle accident lawyers are the ones with years of experience in motorcycle accident claims. Our legal team can build a strong case to get you full and fair compensation that you'll need to pay your medical bills, cover lost wages, and repair any of your property that was damaged in the accident — including your motorcycle.

Our award-winning motorcycle accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that we only get paid if you recover damages. There’s no risk to you if you choose to hire us after your free consultation. Our 24/7 availability means you can have your questions answered at any time.

Hiring Valley Accident Attorneys also means you have access to the best medical care. Serious injuries from a motorcycle crash can be complex. Our legal services include putting you in contact with the best medical providers to help you heal quickly and completely.

Benefits of Hiring a San Jose Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Like with any personal injury claim, motorcycle accident cases will involve dealing with insurance companies. They can be stressful to handle without legal counsel, especially when you’re seeking financial compensation from serious motorcycle accident injuries. Hiring a motorcycle accident attorney means you don’t have to handle these negotiations on your own.

We can put our negotiating skills to work for you as we seek to resolve your motorcycle injury case. The goal of the insurance company is to protect their money by offering the lowest settlement offer they can. You need someone who is out to protect you. If you deal with an insurance company yourself, you’re likely to settle for less money. Our San Jose motorcycle accident attorney can help you get the most out of your injury case.

If a claim isn't resolved with a fair settlement, a lawsuit can be pursued by trial lawyers to bring the case to court to get you the compensation you deserve.

The two-year statute of limitations after your accident means you should contact our offices today for legal representation.

How Much Is a Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

Motorcycle accidents can cause a lot of physical and financial damages depending on the severity. Cases vary and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The value of your claim depends on such factors as:

• Current and future medical costs
• Lost wages
• Whether injuries are permanent
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional and psychological damage
• Property damage

Qualified San Jose motorcycle accident attorneys will look at the details of your case to determine what a fair amount of compensation would be.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle collisions are:

Cars Making Left-Hand Turns

In 2019, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that nearly half of all fatal motorcycle crashes happened when a car was turning left at the time of the crash. This could be because of driver distraction, low visibility, and speeding. 

Head-On Collisions

In the same NHTSA report, it was concluded that in three-quarters of the fatal motorcycle accidents that occurred in 2019, a car struck a motorcycle in the front.

Collisions with Fixed Objects

If a motorcycle slides off the road and collides with a fence, tree, or road sign, the driver or rider can be severely injured.

Lane Splitting

Currently, the only state that allows lane splitting by motorcyclists is California. Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist snakes between two lanes of stopped or slowly moving cars. This is a risky maneuver and can cause an accident when a driver does not anticipate being passed.

Road Hazards

Uneven road surfaces, gravel on the roadway, and railroad tracks are common hazards for motorcyclists. Since motorcycles are less stable than a car, unexpected road hazards can be dangerous and may cause a crash.

Your successful motorcycle injury case can hinge on the cause of your accident. A motorcycle accident attorney can help determine the cause of your accident as you seek to get the compensation you need.

Determining Liability for a Motorcycle Accident

Proving liability can make or break your personal injury lawsuit. An experienced motorcycle injury attorney can help investigate your accident and determine who is liable. 

The following must be proven when identifying who was liable in an accident:

• There was a duty of care; to drive safely
• That duty was breached by the other driver
• The breach caused your accident
• The accident resulted in physical and property damage

Determining liability can be particularly difficult if you try to do it alone. Hiring a San Jose motorcycle accident attorney from Valley Accident Attorneys gives you access to investigative resources you don’t have on your own.

Common Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident

All motorcycle riders and passengers are required by law to wear motorcycle helmets. However, motorcycle accident injuries, minor or severe, can still develop over time. Although no accident is quite the same, there are some common motorcycle accident injuries, such as:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Head and brain injuries are some of the most common motorcycle crash injuries suffered by riders. They include concussions and skull fractures. In an NHTSA study, it was revealed that 15% of helmeted and 21% of unhelmeted motorcycle riders suffered TBI as a result of their accident.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spine can often result in paralysis and may cause permanent disability for the victim.

Lower Extremity Injuries

Leg injuries are the most common kind of lower-extremity injury in motorcycle accidents, and broken bones and bone fractures are more common than soft-tissue injuries.

Internal Injuries

Blunt-force trauma can cause damage to internal organs or internal bleeding. In addition, penetration trauma can result when glass or debris penetrates the skin in a motorcycle accident.

Motorcyclists are in a unique position of risk on the road. The injuries you sustain in a motorcycle accident can be severe and life-altering.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle crash, there are a few things you should do immediately, if possible. You should:

1. If you’re able, move out of the flow of traffic
2. Leave your helmet and other protective gear on
3. Call the police and request a police report of the accident
4. Call emergency responders and ensure you receive a physical exam
5. Exchange information with any other drivers involved
6. Collect contact information about any potential witnesses
7. Note information about the accident scene and take pictures of everything
8. Notify your insurance company about the accident
9. Call a San Jose motorcycle accident lawyer

It’s important not to confront other drivers or try to assign blame. Remain calm and let the law enforcement officers do their jobs when they arrive.

Contact Our San Jose Law Firm

To best protect your rights, call the personal injury law firm of Valley Accident Attorneys if you or a loved one sustained personal injuries due to a motorcycle crash. Our San Jose motorcycle accident lawyers are dedicated to helping injured motorcyclists build a successful case that provides the compensation you need to be able to heal and move on with your life. Don't fall for the first offer you get from the insurance company that tries to pay you off with a low settlement. Contact our law office today to request a free consultation.