Paul CaputoWe Help Injured Motorcyclists File for Compensation
Helmets and other protective gear can only do so much in a crash, especially one that involves high speeds or another vehicle. Motorcyclists may suffer a variety of serious injuries, from broken limbs to facial injuries to traumatic brain damage, in an accident. As a result, they may find themselves facing high medical bills and at the same time unable to work.
If your accident was caused, even in part, by someone else, you are likely eligible for compensation for your injuries. Especially if you’ve been badly hurt, maximizing your settlement can change your future. Our attorneys are here to help. We have over 85 years of collective experience to apply to your case as well as the skill and resources to take on complex accident and injury claims.
Call Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys today at (800) 900-0863 to start your motorcycle accident claim. We are proud to serve Campbell injury victims.
Understanding Liability in Motorcycle Accident Claims
No one plans to get in an accident when they get on their bike or into their car, but nearly every collision is caused by negligence and/or a mistake on someone’s part. Being able to prove where blame lies after an accident is an essential part of an injury claim for 2 reasons:
- First, any at-fault party will be responsible for at least some of the damages accrued by accident victim(s).
- Second, your settlement could be reduced by a percentage if the other party can show you were partially to blame for the accident.
This means it’s in your best interests to offer strong proof of the other party’s fault and be prepared to push back against attempts to unfairly push blame onto you.
Liability Typically Lies with Another Driver
Motorcyclists can and do cause accidents, but data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows the majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by non-motorcycle drivers. Whether they simply don’t see a motorcyclist or overestimate the amount of time they have before a biker reaches them, drivers in passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and even big trucks can make mistakes that put motorcyclists in danger. In these cases, their insurance is required to cover your damages.
Accidents Caused by Mechanical Failures
Rarely, motorcycle accidents are caused by faulty or malfunctioning parts. Losing control of your bike mid-ride is a uniquely terrifying experience. It also means someone else is likely responsible for your accident.
When a part fails and causes an accident, the motorcycle maker or a parts manufacturer may be liable, as it is their duty to ensure your bike is safe for expected uses. You may also be able to bring a claim against the company that sold you the bike or a mechanic who told you it was safe to ride.
Bringing a claim against a company is more complex than filing against another driver’s insurance, but doing so can have a big impact. First, you might be able to recover more compensation from a big company than a typical insurance policy. Second, filing these claims holds companies accountable for the way they treat consumers. Lawsuits can lead to policy changes or recalls of dangerous vehicles, making the roads safer for all.
How A Lawyer Can Help Your Motorcycle Accident Case
If you are entitled to compensation, why do you need a lawyer to help you? If your accident was minor, with only a small amount of damage to your vehicle and injuries that were easily treated, you may be able to successfully complete the claims process on your own. However, after a serious accident, working with an Campbell motorcycle accident attorney may help you achieve a better outcome.
Finding and Presenting Evidence
When proving fault in an accident, everything from photos of the collision to a copy of the police report to witness testimony can help make your case. Our office has a dedicated legal investigator to look into your accident. Our investigative techniques may help turn up evidence you weren’t aware of.
Professionally Negotiating Your Settlement
An insurance adjuster may work with accident victims, but they work for a company, meaning their responsibility is to their employer, not to you. Their goal, in other words, is not to make sure you recover after a car accident. It is to find a way to pay you as little as possible in a settlement.
Our attorneys have honed their negotiating skills through decades of practice. We know how to sidestep common tricks that are used to deny claimants fair payment. When you have an attorney involved, it’s also easier to convince an insurer you’re ready to file a lawsuit if they don’t offer a decent settlement.
Taking Care of the Details
Recovering from any injury takes a lot of energy. Those who are seriously hurt may find themselves in pain or on high dosages of medication. Handling paperwork and phone calls is the last thing you want to do when you’re in this state. When you work with an attorney, you will still know what is going on and have your say about your next steps, but you will not have to deal with all the busywork involved in bringing an injury claim.
We’re Ready to Handle Your Motorcycle Claim Case
Motorcycle accidents can change your life forever. Our team wants to help you fight for fair compensation so you know you and your loved ones will be taken care of financially moving forward. We have helped clients who were seriously injured in motorcycle accidents recover sizeable settlements in the past, including:
f you or a loved one has been in an accident and is not sure what to do next, Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. We are dedicated to helping the injured find justice against negligent drivers or vehicle part makers. Let us be there for you.
Our team offers free consultations to motorcycle accident victims. Call our Campbell attorneys today at (800) 900-0863 to start your claim for compensation.