Oakland Personal Injury Attorney Blog
Statistics regarding motorcycle accidents in California are ominous, and the numbers are getting worse. In 2017, there were 16,505 motorcycle accidents in the Golden State. Those crashes caused 15,527 injuries and 541 deaths. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, keep in mind that you only have a limited period of time to seek the compensation you deserve. In California, the law says that you only have two years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. If you wait more than two years and there is no justification for that delay, the defense can get your case thrown out of court before trial based upon a “statute of limitations” argument. To be sure you’re not losing out on much-needed compensation, reach out to an Oakland motorcycle accident attorney right away.
A few months ago, a motorcyclist tragically died in an accident on I-880 in Oakland. According to KPIX, the motorcyclist was “lane splitting” when a silver car moved left and struck the motorcycle. (Lane splitting, which is when a motorcycle passes “other vehicles proceeding in the same direction within the same lane,” is legal under California law.)
That impact threw the 31-year-old motorcyclist from the bike and onto the ground. The man died at Highland Hospital, according to the report. Tragically, stories like this are becoming more and more common. In 2016, the number of motorcycle deaths was more than twice the number that occurred in this state a decade prior.
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, and assuming you’ve filed on time, there are many different types of compensation you potentially can receive. You may receive an award that covers the accident-related medical bills you’ve already racked up, along with future medical bills that are sufficiently connected to your accident. Your damages award can also include compensation for the earnings you’ve already missed out upon because of the accident, as well as future lost earnings adequately tied to your injuries.
To get that, though, you’ll need the right evidence. The forms of proof that may help you achieve a successful result in your motorcycle accident case may include the police accident report, testimony from witnesses to the accident, photographs of the accident scene, video footage of the accident (if it exists) and expert testimony from an accident reconstruction expert. Depending on the unique facts of your case, you may need only a few of these items, you may need all of these items (and others,) or your case may require something in between.
When it comes to determining what evidence your motorcycle accident case needs, along with making the numerous other essential decisions as part of a successful litigation, you need a knowledgeable legal advocate in your corner. The Law Offices of Stephen M. Fuerch is here to give you that kind of powerful representation. Attorney Fuerch is an experienced Oakland motorcycle accident attorney who has spent many years helping people injured in vehicle accidents to get the compensation they need and deserve. To learn more, contact us through our website or call our office at (925) 463-2575 to schedule your confidential initial consultation today.