Motorcyclists injured by negligent drivers have the right to pursue compensation for injuries and damages from the at-fault parties. The skilled Westminster Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Bisnar Chase can win you the recovery you need after your bike crash.
Our legal representation has earned clients not only justice but also over $650 million dollars in compensation. Bisnar Chase has sustained a 99% success rate in winning motorcycle accident cases and continues to fight passionately for injury victims.
It is all too common for drivers to leave the scene of a motorcycle accident out of fear. It is not only inhumane and irresponsible to leave the scene of a personal injury incident, but it is also illegal in California.
The Westminster motorcycle accident attorneys of Bisnar Chase believe that wrongdoers should be held liable for their actions.
You will receive a comprehensive free consultation when you call the Orange County law offices of Bisnar Chase at 949-203-3814.
Westminster Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), in one year, one fatality and 21 injuries were reported in the city of Westminster as a result of motorcycle accidents. In Orange County, 17 people were killed, and 735 were injured in motorcycle crashes that year.
5 Steps to Take After Your Bike Crash
A bike crash can be a traumatic experience, and many people walk away with physical and emotional injuries. Although it may be difficult to act right away it is in your best interest to proceed immediately with the steps below in order to increase your chances of receiving maximum compensation for your motorcycle injury case.
Five important measures you should take shortly after your bike accident are:
- Proceed to a safe location: Being involved in a crash can be dangerous enough, but being involved in an accident in ongoing traffic can be even more hazardous. Put your emergency lights on, get out of the car and when there are no incoming cars, move to the sidewalk. Check to see if your passengers or the other motorist involved are badly injured, then call 911 immediately.
- Document accident damage with photos and, if possible, video: Most people think that the only photo or video they need to take is of the damage to the motorcycle from the accident. That is not the only aspect of a motorcycle crash that needs to be documented. Multiple elements are considered when a wreck occurs. The location, the debris from the incident, and the license plate of the vehicles involved in the crash are very important to take into account.
- Exchange information: If you are a cyclist who has been hit by a car, take down the full name, address, license number, policy number, and insurance company of the driver. Call the insurance company of the driver right away so you can set a claim in motion. From there, you will be able to get an idea of whether you will be compensated for the injuries you have sustained in your motorcycle accident.
- File a crash report: You must call the police after the motorcycle crash. Not only will the police officer be able to assess the accident, but they also will be able to file a report. The police report in a bike wreck plays a vital role in your claim process because if you do not provide a report to the driver’s insurance company, the policyholder could reject or even reduce the amount you receive for a motorcycle crash.
- Obtain a motorcycle accident attorney: Although kind and respectful over the phone, insurance companies can be anything but ruthless when it comes to covering the cost of damages in your motorcycle injury case. The bike crash lawyers of Bisnar Chase understand that insurance companies do not have your best interest at hand. Our law firm believes that if there is no win, there is no fee. Call 949-203-3814 to get free legal advice on your motorcycle accident claim.
Hit-and-Run Law
California Vehicle Code 20001 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.”
All motorists are legally required to remain at the scene of an injury accident, to exchange pertinent information with other parties, and most importantly, to help the injured victims. This can be something as simple as calling 911. When an injured motorcycle accident is left lying on the roadway, he or she is exposed to further injury.
Tracking Down Westminster Hit-and-Run Drivers
Leaving the scene of an injury accident is a felony crime. Victims of motorcycle accidents may wonder where to turn or how to seek compensation if the driver who hit them left the scene and has not yet been found.
Victims of hit-and-run accidents often do not have the time or ability to memorize the driver’s license plate or even write down what the vehicle looked like. In such cases, officials will have to rely on first-hand accounts from eyewitnesses, images captured on surveillance video from nearby buildings, and evidence left at the crash scene. Tire tracks and broken parts such as rear-view mirrors, headlights, and paint scrapes will be examined. Officials will often request help from community members to apprehend hit-and-run drivers. The sad fact remains that not all hit-and-run drivers are found.
Victims of hit-and-run accidents often wonder how they will receive fair compensation for their losses when the driver is unavailable. They will not be able to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault motorist or the driver’s insurance company. However, compensation may still be available through the uninsured motorist clause of the victim’s auto insurance policy. This type of protection can also help victims of accidents involving drivers who are uninsured or, in other words, have inadequate coverage.
Filing a Westminster Bike Injury Claim
It is important to remember that when a hit-and-run driver is criminally prosecuted, the criminal proceeding will not result in compensation for victims or their families. To pursue financial compensation from a negligent driver, the injured victim must file a civil lawsuit.
A personal injury claim is a lawsuit allowing an injured victim of a motorcycle accident to seek compensation for all the damages and losses he or she suffered in the accident. An experienced Westminster motorcycle accident lawyer will sit down with you, review your case, and help you determine what course of action to take.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Westminster
The Westminster Motorcycle Accident Lawyers of Bisnar Chase can help injured victims obtain more information about pursuing their legal rights and examine the options they have before them.
In cases involving negligence or wrongdoing, injured victims can seek compensation from the at-fault party for damages, including medical bills, lost wages, cost of rehabilitation, medical devices, pain and suffering, prescription drug fees, and other related damages.
Bisnar Chase motorcycle accident attorneys have a long and successful track record of holding drivers accountable for the injuries and damages they have caused riders.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Westminster motorcycle accident, please contact us at 949-203-3814 for a free case analysis.
