Practice Areas
Motorcycle Accidents
You’re Not Alone In Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcycle accidents often lead to serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and emotional suffering for victims and their families. However, you may be entitled to financial compensation if another person’s negligence led to the crash. With precision and a commitment to doing the job right, our motorcycle accident attorneys in San Diego are ready to help you fight for justice.
The number of licensed motorcycle drivers in California increased by 45.6% between 1998 and 2008. Over that 10-year period, there has been a staggering rise in fatalities and injuries to motorcycle drivers – a 164.5% increase in the number of motorcyclists who were killed, and an 85.8% increase in the number of motorcyclists who were injured. A majority of the fatal or serious injuries sustained by motorcyclists were to their head or neck.
When another driver’s negligence causes injury to a motorcyclist, the driver and/or owner is responsible for your damages. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need a personal injury lawyer. At Kroger-Diamond & Campos, we will contact the at fault driver’s insurance company for you, file your claim, make the necessary reports to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and aggressively pursue your claim to settlement or trial.
More than half of collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles are caused by drivers who fail to yield the right of way to the motorcyclist; for example, drivers who make left turns in front of you, or cars that pull into your lane from side streets or driveways. While there is more potential for this to occur at an intersection, drivers can also violate your right of way when you are passing parked cars along the roadway, such as when a driver pulls away from a curb without looking, when a car door is opened into your traffic lane, or especially when a driver makes a U-turn in front of you. You are also at risk for a sideswipe while you are being passed on a roadway, or a rear end collision if you are being followed too closely.
Roadway conditions can also pose a threat to motorcyclists. Defects such as potholes or uneven pavement, malfunctioning traffic signals, road signs that are not visibly placed, or poor design or construction of the roadway can all contribute to a motorcycle crash. When this happens, the entity responsible for designing, building, or maintaining the roadway may be liable for your injuries. Keep in mind that in many instances, at least one of the responsible parties will be a government entity, such as the state, county or city. The deadline for filing claims against government entities is very limited, usually only six months. You should consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
If poor design, manufacturing, or assembly of your motorcycle caused or was a contributing factor in your crash, you may have a claim against the manufacturer. Also, if a failure of your safety equipment, such as your helmet or protective clothing, contributes to the severity of your injuries, the manufacturer or seller of the equipment may be held liable.
You Can Rely On Our Extensive Experience
Our attorneys provide a personalized touch and the attention to detail your case deserves. You and your family are our priority, and our approach to your case reflects your unique needs and goals.
If you’re struggling with unfair insurance adjusters and piling bills after a motorcycle crash in the San Diego area, you need a skilled advocate in your corner. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, so you have nothing to lose by speaking with our team. Contact us now to schedule your case evaluation.
FAQs
At the Law Offices of Kroger-Diamond & Campos APC, we have dedicated our practice to helping injury victims in the San Diego area take legal action. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys tirelessly advocate for our clients to reach the best possible outcome for each case. Our legal services include:
- Legal guidance and support throughout the claims process
- A thorough investigation to determine what caused the crash
- Collection of evidence to prove negligence and build a strong case
- Calculation of available damages to include in your claim
- Assertive negotiations with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement
- Mediation or trial representation when settlement offers are unreasonable
When you work with our team, we ensure you are treated fairly and receive the care you need as we fight for the maximum compensation allowed under California law. We handle your case from start to finish so you can focus on your recovery and getting back on your feet.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a San Diego or North San Diego motorcycle crash, you may qualify to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the financial losses caused by the accident. Examples include:
- Medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earnings capacity
- Property damage
Motorcycle accident victims suffer more than just monetary losses. Non-economic damages you can claim are:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
It’s vital to work with an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer to identify your qualifying damages and determine the full value of your claim. Contact our team to learn what your case may be worth and how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Under California’s comparative fault rule, motorcycle accident victims can still claim compensation for damages when they are partially at fault for the crash. However, the amount you receive is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, you may have sustained $20,000 worth of damages in a motorcycle accident. Because a jury decided that you are 50% responsible for the accident and your damages, your award is reduced to $10,000.