It’s understandable why motorcyclists enjoy riding on the highways of Sonoma County. The county’s scenic views and winding roads are ideal for motorcycling during most times of the year. Unfortunately, though, motorcycle accidents are an unfortunate risk for all motorcyclists.
Sonoma County saw 133 motorcycle crashes in 2019, according to UC Berkeley data, leading to two deaths and 144 injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, Nadrich & Cohen’s motorcycle accident attorneys in Santa Rosa can help you pursue financial recovery.
Compensation for Santa Rosa Motorcycle Accidents
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, the value of your claim is important to you. Whether you escaped with just road rash or suffered more serious injuries like a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury, you’re entitled to know what kind of compensation you might be eligible to receive to cover your medical bills and property damage.
No motorcycle accident settlement is the same since every motorcycle crash case is unique. You may be eligible to be compensated for:
- Any past or future medical bills
- Costs related to disability
- Lost income
- Costs that are out-of-pocket
- Legal fees
- Motorcycle repairs
- Motorcycle replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Fees for rental cars
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
In general, motorcycle accident claims relating to serious or devastating injuries will typically be worth more money than claims involving only minor injuries, and fatal motorcycle crash claims will typically carry even more value.
An insurance company or jury will base the amount of compensation you receive on how badly you were injured and how your injuries impacted your life. Your medical bills, as well as any other objective and subjective damages, will be assessed in order to determine their value.
To find out exactly how much compensation you may be eligible for, you should reach out for a free consultation with a Santa Rosa motorcycle accident attorney. A personal injury lawyer can assist you by making sure you receive the largest possible financial recovery by utilizing time-tested legal tactics.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Santa Rosa
The number one priority after being in a motorcycle accident in Santa Rosa is receiving medical treatment for your injuries. People who are injured in accidents often don’t realize they were even injured or don’t realize how severe their injuries really are. This is why it’s vital to be seen by a doctor.
You might think you’re not injured at the scene of the accident, but you might already have internal bleeding or an orthopedic or head injury. Injuries can be masked by shock, adrenaline, and endorphins after a motorcycle accident.
Another reason it’s important to obtain medical treatment right away is that insurance companies can claim your injuries weren’t caused by your accident if you don’t, and they can use this as an excuse not to pay you for your injuries.
Motorcyclists are more vulnerable in crashes than those driving or riding in other vehicles. They lack protection from impacts other than their helmet. Those who get in a motorcycle accident in Santa Rosa should:
Contact the Police
You should call the police or California Highway Patrol. It’s important that law enforcement be present at the site of the accident to take photos, measurements, and statements for a police report.
Request that you receive the police report number. Officers will sometimes determine who is at fault for the motorcycle accident, and this can be vital in resolving your motorcycle accident case.
Exchange Contact Information
After your accident, you should exchange insurance and driver’s license information with every party that was involved. An easy way of doing this is using your smartphone to take pictures of drivers’ insurance, licenses, and any other paperwork.
Gather Evidence
Take pictures of the site of the accident and any vehicles involved. Document the phone number, address, and name of any witnesses to the accident. Take pictures of your injuries as well.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Tell them what happened. Your insurance company needs to know this, no matter whose fault the accident is. Do not get in touch with the insurance company representing any of the other parties. Leave this to your lawyer. Other parties’ insurance companies can use what you say against you once you file a claim for compensation for your injuries.
Call a Lawyer
You won’t be able to recover what you are entitled to under California law for your injuries without a lawyer. Insurance companies know you can’t beat them in court without a lawyer, so they’ll offer you a tiny fraction of what you deserve and dare you to file a lawsuit over it.
Insurance adjusters are also trained to manipulate you into saying things they can use to pay you less or nothing at all, so you need experienced motorcycle accident lawyers to deal with the insurance companies for you.
The Santa Rosa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Nadrich & Cohen Can Help
Nadrich & Cohen are experienced, expert Santa Rosa motorcycle accident lawyers. We have been successfully helping injured motorcyclists obtain the financial compensation and justice they deserve since 1990. We have recovered over $350,000,000 on behalf of injured clients in the last 30+ years.
We are contingency fee lawyers, so the only fee we charge is a percentage of any financial compensation that we obtain from you. In other words, we don’t charge a fee unless we win your case.
If you can’t afford medical treatment, we can get you to doctors who will treat you on a lien, meaning you won’t owe them anything until your case is over.
Contact us today for a free consultation. You may be eligible for financial compensation. If you or a loved one was seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident, we will stay by your side and help get you through your difficult time.
