Motorcycle Litigation Basics
Motorcyclist are 10 times more likely to be injured and 35 times more likely to die than passengers in a car crash. With the increase in popularity or motorcycles, there are more and more motorcycle accidents each year. In the past, most motorcycle accident cases involved young riders (18-25) on sport bikes. But recently, I have seen a trend to more and more motorcycle accidents involving riders over 40 and in my case over 50 years old.
Most cases we handle involve "Failure to Yield" or "Left Turn" cases (CVC 21801a) in which a car turns directly into your path at an intersection, "Unsafe Lane Change" cases which occur on the freeway, or "Exit" cases, where a driver exits a driveway into you or your path. But we also take on the difficult cases- where the Traffic Collision Report alleges the motorcyclist is primarily at fault for riding at Unsafe Speed (CVC 22350) or for making an "Unsafe Lane Change" (CVC 21658a).
As a former Traffic Judge pro tem in California Superior Court- motorcycle attorney Tom Reinecke can answer your legal questions and provide you with answers.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need the Best Motorcycle Lawyer. Attorney Tom Reinecke has been recognized as the "Top Gun" of motorcycle accident attorneys in Southern California. The Reinecke Law Firm are Real Lawyers that get Real Results. We are not a referral service. We have offices serving Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire and San Diego.
For more information about what you should do after a motorcycle accident, see our motorcycle accident information page or call us at (800) 275-8326.
IMPORTANT - Never, ever give a written or recorded statement to any insurance company without contacting a motorcycle accident attorney first. The questions asked by the insurance company are designed to have you either admit liability or admit to being partially at fault for causing or contributing to the accident. YOU ARE NOT AT FAULT- CALL AN ATTORNEY.
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Free call and consultation: Call California motorcycle accident attorney Tom Reinecke at 800-275‑8326 for an immediate, no-obligation lawyer consultation. With offices in Santa Ana, San Diego and Los Angeles, we represent motorcycle accident victims throughout Southern California.
California motorcycle accident attorney Tom Reinecke has a proven track record of recovering compensation for his clients.
Motorcycle Litigation Basics
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may have many questions about your legal options. You may have never been involved in a lawsuit before and not know where to start. The following information provides a general overview about motorcycle accident cases. An experienced personal injury attorney at The Reinecke Law Firm in Serving All of Southern California, California, can answer your specific questions and provide guidance about how to proceed.
Pleadings and Causes of Action
A case arising out of a motorcycle accident is a personal injury action and will begin with the filing of the complaint. A complaint sets forth the claims that the plaintiff (the person bringing the lawsuit) has against the defendant (the person or company being sued). Generally, a motorcycle accident case will be based on negligence. To establish negligence, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty; that the defendant breached this duty; that the breach caused the plaintiff injury; and that the plaintiff was in fact injured. If there was more than one person responsible for the accident in which the plaintiff was injured, it may be advisable to name all potentially liable parties as defendants.
The defendant has to answer the complaint within a certain time (usually 20 days). The answer sets forth the portions of the complaint that the defendant admits to, if any; the allegations that the defendant contests; any defenses the defendant may have; and any claims the defendant is asserting against the plaintiff, another co-defendant or any other entity that is not already a party to the litigation. These claims are known as counterclaims (against the plaintiff), cross claims (against a co-defendant) and third-party claims (against a third party not yet part of the litigation). If the defendant does not respond to the complaint within the allotted period, the court may enter a default judgment against the defendant.
Instead of filing an answer, a defendant may choose to file a motion to dismiss in which it raises all its defenses. This motion will ask the court to dismiss the plaintiff's case and it can raise the following defenses: lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter, lack of jurisdiction over the person, insufficiency of process, insufficiency of service of process, failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted and failure to join a party.
Discovery
Discovery is the process of obtaining facts and evidence to support your case. Each party can request that the other party produce certain categories of documents, answer written questions (called interrogatories) and give testimony at depositions. In motorcycle accident cases, there are a number of relevant items of evidence. First, there is data about the vehicle, such as VIN number, mechanical issues, any defects or maintenance issues and the speeds the vehicles were traveling. Statements from eyewitnesses, as well as road conditions, traffic, weather conditions and any road obstructions are also important. Evidence about the motorcycle rider and driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash, such as training, licensing, experience and alcohol or drug use, should be collected. Finally, information about your medical expenses and documentation about your injuries are relevant to the determination of damages.
Resolution of the Case
It may be possible for the parties to resolve the dispute through settlement or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) such as mediation or arbitration. If the parties agree to binding arbitration, they are bound by the decision of a neutral arbitrator(s). Some states require litigants to go through alternative dispute resolution in some form.
In the absence of a settlement or ADR, the case will go to trial. At trial, the attorneys for each side present evidence and arguments, and the judge or jury decides the unresolved issues. Once the judge or jury has reached a decision, the judge will enter a judgment for the winning party. Either or both parties can appeal a judge's decision to a higher court. Settlements usually cannot be appealed if both parties agree to their terms.
Talk to an Attorney
A personal injury lawyer who know how handled motorcycle and automobile accident cases can explain the stages of litigation to you and answer any questions you have. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident and are thinking about bringing a lawsuit, contact The Reinecke Law Firm in Serving All of Southern California, California, today to schedule a consultation with a lawyer to talk about your options.
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