Chico Motorcycle Rider Dead, But Who is Responsible?
CHICO, Calif. – The Chico Police Department reports that the intersection of East 20th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway had to be closed down this Friday evening due to a fatal motorcycle accident. Police say that they responded to the 1000 block of East 20th Street, along with medical and fire personnel. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead after they were taken to the hospital with major injuries.
During the three hours the intersection was closed, the CPD Major Accident Investigation Team began their investigation, which is still ongoing. The California Highway Patrol’s motorcycle safety program says that all drivers are responsible for sharing the road regardless of whether they are driving a car or a motorcycle. If you are in a motorcycle crash or accident, it is important that you have the right legal professional by your side, which means experienced motorcycle accident attorneys.
A Chico motorcycle accident lawyer from the Ehline Law Firm can help you file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the required compensation for your injuries. Our top Chico motorcycle accident attorney can help deal with the insurance company as you grieve or heal.
Without More Facts, Let’s Study Chico Motorcycle Accident Law
Due to California’s high cost of living and the traffic on the state’s freeways, many people are choosing to ride motorcycles instead of cars. This allows them to save money on gas and reduce their commute time. Unfortunately, the number of accidents involving motorbikes has increased.
Accidents cause most motorcycle fatalities. According to the NHTSA, the risk of death for riders is 27 times greater than for occupants of cars. This is because of the lack of body mass and weight of motorcycles. Compared to cars, motorcycles do not have the necessary safety features, such as seat belts and airbags.
If you or someone you know has been injured due to a motorcycle accident in California, you have the right to seek compensation from the other liable parties involved. At Ehline Law, our experienced lawyers can help you navigate through the legal process and deal with your wrongful death claim in any fatal motorcycle accident.
Various types of motor vehicle accidents can occur in Chico, California. If you or someone you know was injured in one of these accidents, you have the right to make a motorcycle accident claim and pursue legal action against the other parties involved.
Due to the lack of protection, motorcycle accident cases can result in more serious injuries, and death than a typical passenger in a bus or car occupant faces.
Motorcycle accident victims tend to sustain multiple motorcycle accident injuries or even death when a motorcycle accident occurs, including:
- Broken bones
- Neck and head injuries
- Paralysis.
Some of the most common types of injuries that can occur in motorcycle accidents include:
- Road rash
- Broken bones.
Head-on Collision Injuries
Another type of motorcycle accident is known as a head-on crash. This occurs when both the drivers of cars and motorcycles collide head-on. Usually, these types of accidents happen when a vehicle driver exits off the road and gets into a one-way collision. The devastating impact of this type of collision can lead to the death of the other or both parties. If the victim’s family members are not able to recover from the injuries from insurance, they can file a wrongful-death lawsuit under California personal injury law.
Left-Hand Turn Motorcycle Crash Cases
One of the most common types of motorcycle accident cases is a left-hand turn accident. Usually, the person who made the left turn is responsible for the accident. However, if the driver of the vehicle going straight was speeding or driving dangerously, the fault might fall on them.
Lane Splitting Legal Duty
Most motorcycle riders are also prone to performing a road maneuver known as lane splitting. This occurs when a motorcycle tries to pass slower vehicles by moving into the middle lanes.
Excessive Speed
In addition, vehicles are not allowed to go faster than certain speed limits. If a motorcycle is involved in an accident caused by a speeding vehicle, the other party might be held accountable for the damage it caused.
Road Debris and Hazards
In addition, other factors, such as road hazards and objects on the road, can also cause motorcycle accidents. The city can be held liable for the injuries caused by these accidents. In motorcycle accidents, the liability of the other party can also be determined based on the speed at which the vehicle was moving in many cases. There is always the risk of an offset based on pure comparative negligence rules as well. Personal injury lawyers can explain this type of motorcycle collision better over the phone.
Bad Weather Motorcycle Wreck
The court takes into account various factors when determining the liability of an at-fault party in a motorcycle accident. The weather conditions at the time of the accident can also affect the safety of the motorcycle. The personal injury attorneys you hire must understand the differences riders face compared to regular motor vehicle operators and the California law regarding lane splitting and related traffic laws, such as distracted driving regulations.
The other party’s actions and the traffic rules at the time of the accident can also be considered factors that affect the safety of the motorcycle. The photos and videos taken during the accident can also be used to support the claim. For example, if the other driver claims you were not wearing protective gear or a motorcycle helmet, video and images can restate that argument.
Investigations
The condition of the vehicles at the time of the accident can also be used to support the claim, so film them. The type of protective equipment worn by the motorcycle rider at the time of the incident can also be used to back the severity of the claim. The history of recklessness in both parties can also be considered when it comes to backing or denying a claim for medical bills; future lost wages based on the other driver’s negligence.
Witnesses can testify about the recklessness of both parties involved in accidents involving motor vehicles. Some of the physical evidence that can be used to support a claim include the skid marks and broken pieces of the vehicle. If a motorcycle accident is not caused by another vehicle, the recovery can often be handled through an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist claim.
However, if the collision between two vehicles caused the incident, then one party can file a lawsuit against the other party, ad infinitum. If the injuries caused by the collision were severe or ended up as fatal injuries, a motorcycle accident victim may seek to file a lawsuit against any negligent drivers for medical treatment or any future medical expenses, as well as noneconomic damages like pain and suffering.
Hospital Bills
A motorcycle accident victim can also seek compensation for the damages caused by accident, such as lost wages and medical expenses, but here are some others.
- Court costs
- Attorney fees
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Chico, you can claim compensation with help from our best Southern California reckless driving accident attorneys. Our law offices will handle the claims against the other vehicle, and we can get copies of the police report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or the local, Chico PD. But after the wreck, you still need to handle some things with motorcycle accident claims, whether you lane split or not.
- Make sure to notify the police when you are feeling well enough to do so. The law enforcers should make a police report documenting the serious injury incident. This document can help you later with your legal options. For example, it may discuss poor maintenance on roads or drive recklessly by other drivers. It may document the surrounding traffic conditions and whether cars were going in the same direction or the wrong way in the same lane. It may document if anyone was driving recklessly too.
Statute of Limitations and Waiving Rights to Money?
Getting involved in many motorcycle accidents can be a daunting task. However, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure that the lawsuit can be filed as soon as possible. California’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years unless an exception applies. If you go after a government agency or a cruise line, you may only have six months to file a claim against the responsible party.
One of the most important steps that you should take when it comes to filing a lawsuit is to make sure that the injuries sustained by you during the accident were caused by the negligence of the other party. Even though it’s obvious that the incident caused the injuries, you still have to show proof of the damages that you can claim. With the help of an experienced attorney, such as Michael Ehline, you can easily navigate through the various factors that affect filing a personal injury lawsuit. In the instance case, the CPD Traffic Unit would always appreciate information about the recent crash. Anyone with information can contact 530-895-4911.
In conclusion, there are many potential at-fault parties who could make reliable for this latest Chico motorcycle accident. As we gather more facts, we will update our story.
Chico, CA Motorcycle Lawyers Can Explain More
If you plan on filing a lawsuit after being involved in a motorcycle accident in Chico, you need to hire an experienced attorney to help you. Michael Ehline can help you with the various steps involved in filing a lawsuit against the drivers of other vehicles. You need a lawyer who can handle your case in Chico, as you are likely injured due to a motorcycle accident.
The staff of Ehline Law Firm can provide you with the right legal services, and our No-Win, No-Fee promise ensures that you can receive the best possible financial compensation. To get a free consultation, please use our online contact form for a virtual consultation. You can also contact our motorcycle accident attorneys at (833) LETS-SUE to swiftly pursue the at-fault driver for your permanent disability.
