Motorcycles are not only convenient for getting through the slow-moving traffic in Newport Beach, but they are also exhilarating to ride. Unfortunately, they can also be dangerous. With only a helmet to protect you from the impact of an accident, you could easily suffer life-threatening or debilitating injuries if someone crashes into you.

If you suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, you may not only be in pain every day, but you may be struggling to cover your hospital bills, physical therapy, lost income, and more.

At OnderLaw, our experienced personal injury attorneys will leverage their experience and knowledge to pursue the monetary compensation you need to cover your injuries and losses. We’ll take the time to understand your challenges and goals, so that we can secure a positive outcome in your case and also help you on the path to recovery. If you need a medical specialist, we’ll help you find one. If you need transportation, we’ll help you find that, as well.

OnderLaw has been representing accident victims since 2002, fighting for the justice and compensation they deserve. We stand ready to advocate for your rights and help you recover from this traumatic experience. Call us for a free consultation with one of our Newport Beach motorcycle accident lawyers.

Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen?

When you share the road with other vehicles and irresponsible drivers, you are at risk of being involved in an accident. Drivers talking on cell phones, rushing to get to work on time, or disobeying traffic laws are just a few of the reasons accidents occur. A single error could lead to a collision that causes severe injuries to you and anyone else involved in the crash.

Most motorcycle accidents in Newport Beach are the result of inattention or distraction. While some technological advances have made life easier, they have also provided a source of distraction for drivers. A driver who glances down at their cell phone to read a text isn’t paying attention to the road ahead. In those few seconds, a car could swerve into the lane, or traffic could come to a standstill, causing the distracted driver to crash.

The most common causes of motorcycle accidents are:

  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Tailgating
  • Speeding
  • Passing too closely
  • Failure to yield the right of way
  • Distracted driving
  • Improper lane change
  • Sudden braking

If the other driver was negligent in causing the crash, you might be entitled to financial compensation from them or their insurance company. OnderLaw can review your case to determine the cause of the accident, who was at fault, and whether we should proceed with an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Why Choose OnderLaw?

While you’re recovering from your motorcycle injury, a dedicated Newport Beach motorcycle accident attorney at OnderLaw can handle all of the legal legwork that’s needed to build a solid claim. When you hire our firm, our legal team will thoroughly investigate the crash to determine who should be held financially responsible for your medical treatment, lost wages, and other costs.

We have the resources to obtain crucial evidence to help support your claim and prove that another party’s actions led to your injuries. Some of the relevant evidence we may collect includes:

  • Video surveillance of the crash
  • Statements from eyewitnesses
  • Copies of your medical bills and records
  • Copy of the collision report
  • Accident scene photos
  • Damage estimates for all vehicles involved
  • Copy of the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy

We can file an insurance claim on your behalf, submit the evidence we find, and negotiate for a settlement we believe is fair. Should the insurance company deny the claim or refuses to settle for the amount we demand, we’ll be prepared to file a lawsuit and pursue the compensation you deserve in court.

Throughout the entire injury claims process, we’ll answer all of your questions and provide you with the support and guidance you need as we work on your case.

Seeking Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident in Newport Beach

You might be entitled to compensation for the damages you incurred. Damages are the total losses an accident victim suffers due to their injuries and how those injuries impact their life. You can pursue economic and non-economic damages in an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Economic damages are expenses caused by the crash, such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Out-of-pocket costs
  • Vehicle repair or replacement
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity

Non-economic damages are losses that aren’t easily calculated, such as:

  • Loss of quality of life
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disfigurement or impairment
  • Loss of consortium

You also might be able to pursue punitive damages in a lawsuit. Unlike the previously mentioned damages, these damages do not compensate accident victims for their losses. Instead, they are intended to punish the wrongdoer for their actions. Punitive damages are rare, and a jury will only award them if you can prove with clear and convincing evidence that the at-fault party acted with malice, fraud, or the intent to oppress.

It is critical that you do not speak about the facts of your case with anyone but your lawyer. It is especially vital that you do not admit to any degree of fault after the crash to the insurance company, the other party, or anyone else. If a jury determines your actions were to blame in any way, you could end up with less compensation than you would have been entitled to if you didn’t contribute to the accident.

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. That means your compensation could be diminished in proportion to the percentage of fault you share. For example, if you incurred $100,000 in damages, but a jury decides you were 20% to blame for the crash, you could only pursue up to $80,000 in compensation.

How to Pursue Compensation If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance

The person who causes an accident becomes financially responsible for the injured party’s losses under the state’s fault system. That means if you were hurt in the motorcycle crash, you could file an insurance claim with the other driver’s liability insurance company.

Unfortunately, many drivers don’t have insurance even though laws require policies with minimum coverage amounts. If you discover that the at-fault motorist doesn’t carry auto insurance, you might be able to file a claim with your insurance company.

Insurance companies provide all drivers and motorcyclists with the minimum coverage for uninsured motorist (UM) insurance when they purchase a policy. If you didn’t choose to reject it, you should have at least $15,000 in coverage. After your motorcycle accident, you should review your policy to determine if you have this form of insurance and how much coverage you chose to purchase.

When you file a UM claim, you may be able to seek compensation for the following losses:

  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Out-of-pocket expenses

An optional type of insurance coverage that might be on your policy is known as Med Pay (medical payments). If it is on your policy, the insurance company should pay for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment associated with the injury you sustained in the accident. Your doctors would send your medical bills to the insurance company for payment up to the coverage listed on your policy. Once coverage runs out, you would have to look for another source of payment.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer?

We don’t get paid unless you get paid. At OnderLaw, we know you might be facing financial hardships after the accident. You are already paying for medical treatment, motorcycle repairs, and other expenses. We don’t want to add to your burden by charging upfront fees or costs.

We take cases on contingency. That means you won’t have to pay us initially to represent you. We won’t collect our legal fees until we receive a settlement from the insurance company or reach a favorable jury verdict in a lawsuit. If our Newport Beach motorcycle crash lawyers lose your case, you won’t have to pay us.

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Contact a Newport Beach Attorney at OnderLaw Now

Our Newport Beach motorcycle accident attorneys understand how hard it is to decide to take legal action against another person. The thought of being involved in a personal injury case can be overwhelming. You might not want to take on the extra responsibility while you are recovering from the crash. Our legal team is prepared to handle every aspect of your case, so you don’t have to worry about it.

OnderLaw believes in transparency. We will always communicate openly about your case. When you call or email us, we will respond promptly. You won’t be just another number to us. Every client we work with is a priority. You can depend on our legal team to provide the undivided, personal, one-on-one attention you rightfully deserve.

Our compassionate and knowledgeable Newport Beach motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to meet with you for a free consultation to review your case and discuss how we can help. Call us today if you were injured in a motorcycle crash and want to hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions.