Irvine Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Irvine Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Driving in Irvine can be dangerous, whether you are on the busy I-5, State Route 55, or on busy downtown roads; accidents can happen unexpectedly and have devastating results. Motorcyclists are more likely to suffer severe injuries in accidents than other drivers, and if you have been hurt in such an accident, you need to consult an Irvine motorcycle accident lawyer quickly to discuss your legal options.

Representing Injured Motorcycle Accident Victims in Irvine, CA

The team at Duque & Price has years of experience representing vehicle accident victims in Irvine and the surrounding communities of Orange County. Motorcycle accidents may be less common than passenger car accidents, but they have a much higher chance of resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries.

The legal aftermath of any accident in California can be confusing. When you believe that another driver is responsible for causing the accident, you have a limited time to gather evidence and build a case against them, and you may have multiple options for claiming compensation for your damages. You need to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to have the greatest chance of not only succeeding in your recovery efforts but also maximizing your compensation.

Our firm is ready to provide compassionate and results-driven legal counsel for all stages of your motorcycle accident case in Irvine. We have a proven record of successful personal injury representation in Irvine and have earned a reputation as a leading choice for personal injury counsel in Orange County. The sooner you consult our firm, the sooner we can begin building your case and guiding you toward your recovery.

Building Your Motorcycle Accident Case in Irvine

The National Safety Council reports that motorcyclists face a much higher risk of injury or death in an accident than most other drivers. In 2023, motorcycles only represented about 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States, but motorcyclists accounted for nearly 16% of all traffic accident fatalities that year. There were 6,335 deaths and 82,564 injuries from motorcycle accidents throughout the United States that year.

The most recent accident data available from the California Office of Traffic Safety is from 2022, and that year, there were 16 recorded motorcyclist injuries and deaths in Irvine. Motorcycle crashes often occur for the same reasons as all other accidents, but motorcyclists are also more vulnerable in certain situations than others. Some of the most commonly reported causes of motorcycle accidents in Irvine include: 

• Distracted driving, such as texting while driving. This is a pervasive issue in the United States and a leading cause of accidents, and motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to inattentive drivers.
• Speeding. Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions increases the risk of an accident, and speeding is a major contributing factor in fatal crashes throughout the United States. Excessive speeding could lead to criminal penalties for the speeding driver if they cause a serious accident.
• Intoxicated driving. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but intoxicated driving is a leading cause of serious accidents in California each year. A driver who causes an accident this way faces criminal charges along with liability for the damages they cause to others.
• Moving violations, such as failure to yield the right-of-way, illegal turns, improper lane changes, or failure to stop for red lights or stop signs.

These are just a few examples of how motorcycles might happen in Irvine. California uses a fault-based system to resolve all vehicle crashes involving multiple drivers, so if you believe that another party is responsible for causing your recent motorcycle accident, you must prove fault before you can claim any compensation for your damages.

You may need various forms of evidence that you will not know how to obtain on your own, so it is vital that you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer right away so they can begin building your case. Once you have established liability, your attorney can determine your most viable options for recovering compensation for your damages.

Recovering Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident

Once you establish fault for your motorcycle accident, your attorney can help you claim compensation for your damages. This process usually starts with an auto insurance claim; California law requires every driver to have auto insurance that includes bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. When a driver causes an accident, their policy can pay for the damages they inflicted on others.

Dealing with insurance companies, however, can be challenging as they will almost always push back against these claims in whatever way they can. Do not wait for an insurance company representative to attempt to deny or devalue your claim unfairly before hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer. When you have an attorney help you with your insurance claim, you are more likely to receive a fair settlement offer.

When you must file a personal injury case to recover your losses, the right attorney can potentially help you recover compensation for the economic damages you suffered because of the defendant’s negligence or misconduct. These could include: 

• Property damage, such as the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
• Medical expenses, including the cost of future medical care you may need if you suffer a serious injury.
• Lost wages. If you cannot work after the accident, the defendant is responsible for the income you cannot earn during your recovery.
• Lost earning capacity. When you cannot work in the future due to the severity of your injuries, your attorney may be able to help you recover compensation for the income you are no longer able to earn.

In addition to these economic damages, you also have the right to claim compensation for your pain and emotional suffering. Your lawyer can help you figure out a fair amount that reflects the severity of the injuries you suffered and the scope of long-term complications they will cause. Generally, the amount of pain and emotional suffering compensation a plaintiff obtains reflects the overall severity of their injuries.

A motorcycle accident could be life-changing, and you may have grounds to claim more compensation than you expect. Having the right attorney on your side can significantly improve your chance of recovering as fully as California law allows, and the team at Duque & Price is ready to help. Reach out to our firm at your first opportunity to learn more about the legal services we offer to clients in Irvine and the surrounding areas.

FAQs

How Do You Prove Fault for a Motorcycle Accident in Irvine?

To prove fault for a motorcycle accident in Irvine, you may need various forms of evidence that your attorney can obtain for you. Police reports, vehicle computer data, drivers’ cell phone records, and witness statements are often crucial for proving fault for accidents in Irvine. Some of this evidence will not be obtainable for long, so it is important to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible so they can start building your case.

What Is a Motorcycle Accident Case Worth in Irvine?

The value of a motorcycle accident case in Irvine largely depends on the severity of your injuries. If you can prove that another party caused the accident, your attorney can help you claim compensation for your medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost income, and the pain and emotional suffering you experienced. You have a better chance of maximizing your total compensation with an experienced attorney handling your case.

What Happens if I Share Fault for My Motorcycle Accident?

If you share fault for your motorcycle accident, California’s pure comparative negligence rule applies to your case, and you will have a fault percentage assigned to you. You will still be able to claim compensation with a personal injury case, but your case award will be reduced by your fault percentage. Shared fault can also make it difficult to obtain an auto insurance claim settlement. Your attorney can explain what to expect if this applies to your accident case.

Why Should I Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

You should hire a motorcycle accident lawyer because your case is likely to be more difficult to resolve than you expect. You need skilled legal counsel on your side to not only help you prove fault for the accident but also to secure maximum compensation for your losses. Your attorney can negotiate with insurance companies for you and build a comprehensive personal injury case aimed at securing maximum compensation for your damages.

What Will It Cost Me to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Irvine?

The cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer in Irvine will be a percentage of your total compensation if you choose Duque & Price as your legal counsel. Under our contingency fee policy, there are no upfront fees for our legal representation. We will only charge our client a fee if we win their case, and the contingency fee is a percentage of the total recovered. If we are unable to obtain compensation for you for any reason, you pay no fee.

Irvine Motorcycle Accident Attorneys You Can Count On

The team at Duque & Price can provide the compassionate and results-driven legal counsel you need on your side in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. Whether you are seeking compensation for your own injuries or acting on behalf of a catastrophically injured family member, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Irvine motorcycle accident lawyer so we can start working on your case.

Irvine, CA Motorcycle Accident Resources

• California Motorcycle Accident Statistics
• Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement in California