If you are a motorcyclist or motorcycle passenger hurt in a collision with a car, truck or SUV, you may be entitled to sue and collect substantial compensation. Going to court and achieving a successful outcome (either through judgment or a settlement) can be extremely necessary, as you may have received (and will incur) a large amount of medical bills and related costs (such as physical therapy and rehab,) and you may have lost a significant amount of earnings due to an extended absence from work. To be sure you are getting all of the compensation you need and that the law says you deserve, be sure you have obtained legal representation from a knowledgeable San Mateo motorcycle accident attorney.
Earlier this month, a fatal motorcycle crash in San Diego County led to one man’s death and another man’s arrest on felony charges. Patch.com reported that R.E., who was driving a truck that was hauling a trailer, approached a road that had a “right turn only” sign. Despite the sign, the truck driver attempted a left turn. A motorcyclist hit the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police charged the driver of the truck with vehicular manslaughter.
Although that crash happened in San Diego County, many other injury or fatality-causing motorcycle accidents regularly occur in San Mateo County and the surrounding areas. Statistics show that driving on California’s highways, roads and streets can be very dangerous for motorcyclists. In 2017, there were more than 16,500 motorcycle accidents, which caused more than 15,500 injuries and 541 deaths. Those numbers represent an upward trend. In the 10 years between 2006 and 2016, motorcycle deaths more than doubled.
While some accidents involved a motorcyclist who simply loses control, most don’t. Around three-quarters of all California motorcycle accidents involve a collision with at least one car or truck.
A lot of accidents may involve inattention on the part of the driver of the car, truck or SUV. An inattentive vehicle driver is especially dangerous to a motorcyclist or motorcycle passenger because motorcycles are easier to overlook or fail to spot than a car, truck or SUV and, once an accident has occurred, motorcyclists and motorcycle passengers are particularly vulnerable because they lack the protections of occupants of an enclosed vehicle.
Your case may involve many different types of evidence
To succeed in your motorcycle injury lawsuit, you will likely need several pieces of evidence that prove that other driver was negligent and caused the crash. This proof may include some or all of the following: the accident report completed by the police, photographs of the accident scene, eyewitness accounts of the crash or an accident reconstructionist’s expert report and opinion about the cause of the accident. Your case may need all of these things or just a few of these forms of evidence. Alternately, it may need other forms of proof to prove liability, especially if the other side is trying to accuse you of causing the accident.
Once you’ve proven that, you’re still not finished. You also need to have the right evidence to establish how much harm you’ve suffered. This can include things like copies of your medical bills, copies of wage statements and testimony from doctors.
So, how do you know what evidence you do need and which forms of proof you don’t in your case? The answer is that you probably won’t, but an experienced injury attorney will. For reliable answers to questions regarding pre-trial and trial strategy and tactics, count on the professionals who have been there before… many times. Contact the experienced San Mateo motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos. Our knowledgeable and determined attorneys have spent many years helping injured motorcyclists and their passengers obtain the financial compensation they need. To set up a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, contact us at 650-345-8484 or through our website.
A Recent Fatal Accident is a Reminder How Dangerous California Roads are for Motorcyclists
