A San Bernardino motorcycle accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase is ready to fight for your rights and win your case. We have represented injured plaintiffs in many severe motorcycle accidents with outstanding results.
Bisnar Chase has decades of experience with motorcycle accident cases, handling everything from low-impact collisions to catastrophic injuries. We have helped countless riders, including one case that resulted in a $30 million recovery for our client.
If you have been injured in an accident or know someone else who has, our team will fight for you and provide the superior representation you deserve.
The Best Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Near You in San Bernardino
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm in San Bernardino. You don’t have to take our word for it; our results speak for themselves.
- We have a 99% success rate.
- Over $1 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
- Established in 1978, with decades of experience and an office in San Bernardino.
- Award-winning trial lawyers.
- Offering a free consultation – no win, no fee.
Contact us today and let us maximize your compensation. You can call us at (909) 253-0750, send us an email, or message us using our 24/7 website live chat.
Legal Resources for Motorcycle Accidents in San Bernardino
When Should I Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
It’s best to immediately consult with a qualified motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Time is of the essence to protect your rights and secure evidence and witnesses.
You must understand your legal rights if you or a loved one has been injured in a San Bernardino motorcycle crash or collision.
Motorcycle Accident Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations in California is two years. That means you have two years from the date of the accident or the discovery of a related injury to file an injury claim. However, there are exceptions to that timeline. For example, you only have six months to file a claim against the government.
Regardless of the circumstances, we advise contacting us as soon as possible. Don’t risk losing out on the compensation you deserve.
How Bisnar Chase Will Help
When you contact Bisnar Chase, the initial review of your case is always free with no obligations. If you sign with us, our team will get to work immediately for you.
- We will investigate the accident and identify any potentially liable parties.
- Our team will complete any paperwork and filing, unless you are required to do it personally. In that case, we will help you as needed.
- We build your case, conducting depositions, securing witness statements, and working with investigators and experts.
- The Bisnar Chase team will conduct all negotiations.
- If a fair settlement cannot be agreed upon, we will go to trial for you. All of our lawyers are experts in the courtroom.
- We will advance the costs required to win your case, from filing fees to hiring expert witnesses. You pay nothing out of pocket at any time, because our fees come from the final settlement.
Working with the best San Bernardino motorcycle accident lawyers in your area is the best way to maximize your compensation. Call us at (909) 253-0750 or email us today to get the ball rolling on your case.
How Long Will My Motorcycle Accident Case Take to Settle?
Settling a motorcycle accident claim can be complex, and the time involved in resolving it ultimately depends on several factors. These include:
- The severity of injuries sustained by those involved.
- If liability or the facts of the accident are disputed.
- Whether or not all parties agree to a settlement offer.
The complexity increases when multiple insurance companies are at play. However, experienced attorneys understand how to navigate these processes quickly while securing the best possible results for their clients.
Generally speaking, though, settling motorcycle accident claims typically takes 6-12 months. The facts are often disputed in motorcycle collisions, with opposing insurers trying to claim that the rider is partially or fully to blame.
Settlement vs. Trial
If a fair settlement cannot be agreed upon, we will file a lawsuit and take your case to trial. Most law firms avoid trials at all costs. This is because they take more money, time, and resources, and the results can be unpredictable.
But in some cases, a trial is the only way to get the justice you deserve. The Bisnar Chase team is made up of seasoned trial lawyers with a track record of success in the courtroom. We will do whatever is best for your case.
What Compensation Will I Receive From My Motorcycle Accident?
As personal injury lawyers, we’ve helped many clients navigate the difficult time after an accident. The money that could be awarded will depend on the circumstances of your case.
Compensation can come in different forms, for both economic and non-economic factors, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Future care and treatment costs
- Emotional trauma
- Punitive damages in some cases
The amount of compensation you might receive can vary based on many factors, such as:
- Severity of your injuries.
- The amount of work you’ve missed.
- The actions of the at-fault party.
- Whether your property was damaged, and the level of damage.
Can I Collect Compensation for PTSD After My Motorcycle Accident?
PTSD after a motorcycle accident is not uncommon. Victims may experience severe mental trauma, especially if the crash was highly traumatic or resulted in death or serious injury to another person. Victims can sometimes recover financial compensation for their PTSD following a motorcycle accident through a personal injury lawsuit.
To do this successfully, evidence must be presented proving psychological and emotional damages have been suffered due to the incident and proof of related medical expenses accrued over time.
You must also have physical injuries. Psychological trauma alone is not enough to file a successful legal case.
Trust Bisnar Chase
Working with an experienced motorcycle injury lawyer in San Bernardino County can make a big difference. We know how to assess your situation, are familiar with all local courts and defense teams, gather the evidence needed to build a strong case, and advocate for your rights to help ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Ultimately, every case is unique, and it’s impossible to say precisely how much compensation you might be entitled to without looking closely at your situation’s specifics. Compensation can range from thousands to millions of dollars. But rest assured that we’re here to guide you through the process and fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Cases
If you have lost a loved one to a severe motorcycle crash, our team can help. We handle wrongful death lawsuits in San Bernardino on behalf of surviving family members.
Compensation for a wrongful death case varies slightly. We will fight for damages, including:
- Medical expenses.
- Pain and suffering before the victim died.
- Funeral or burial expenses.
- Loss of financial support.
- The loss of love, companionship, and emotional support.
You do not have to have been financially reliant on the victim to file a wrongful death action. In most cases, the loss of the other intangibles that the deceased brought to your life is far more important.
We are here to help you hold the wrongdoers accountable for their actions and your losses. Contact us today and let us fight for justice for you.
What to do After a Motorcycle Accident in Califoria
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in California, it’s essential to know your rights and understand the legal process.
After an accident, gather as much information at the scene as possible. This can include:
- Contact information from any witnesses or drivers who were involved or saw the accident.
- Call 911 for medical help if anyone needs assistance.
- Contact law enforcement so they can investigate what happened and create an official record of the incident via police report, including facts about who was responsible for causing damages/injuries.
- Once authorities have released you from their jurisdiction, take pictures of all vehicles used during the crash (for evidence), seek qualified legal advice regarding municipal liability-insurance policies, etc.
- Lastly, document everything, such as receipts and treatments related to injuries incurred. This will be helpful when pursuing personal injury claims due to negligence by another party.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, some of these steps might be impossible at the time of your accident. If you were taken to hospital in an ambulance, or were unconscious in the immediate aftermath, do not worry. Our team will investigate the accident and secure as much evidence as possible to support your case.
Top 10 Most Common Motorcycle Accidents
There are many types of situations in which a motorcyclist can experience danger, accidents, and injuries, including catastrophic and fatal injuries.
Speeding
Excessive speeds make it much more difficult to avoid road hazards, and sudden stops and to judge upcoming road conditions and changes. Experiencing a crash at high speeds increases a motorcycle rider’s risk of serious or fatal injury.
Speeding also makes it much more difficult and nearly impossible for drivers ahead to tell how fast you are going, or even see you at all.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Changing lanes with your turn signal on, and going the speed limit with a slow and steady lane change can be dangerous enough. Being reckless, not using your turn signal, and weaving in and out of traffic can be deadly at any speed.
Lane Splitting
Motorcycle riders many times have chosen to ride a motorcycle to get through congested roadways and heavy traffic, with the ability to lane split. But all it takes is one driver to change lanes in your line of drive, not seeing you or disregarding your position for any reason can prove fatal in milliseconds.
Sudden Stops
Braking on a motorcycle is not the same as braking in a vehicle. If you apply too much pressure on the front brake, chances are you are going to stop and fly over the handlebars or slide out. It is easier to slam on the brakes and come to a sudden stop, but not on a motorcycle.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence is never advised and there is never any excuse for driving under the influence. Alcohol, prescription meds, marijuana, and any other type of mind or body-altering items should never be consumed before or during driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle.
You not only put yourself and your property at serious risk but other innocent lives that are vulnerable to your reckless endangerment.
Car Doors
Riding too close to parking, driving, or stopped cars allows the opportunity for the door of a vehicle to open into your line of drive. Running into a vehicle’s car door at any speed can inflict serious or fatal injuries, and expensive property damage, and can definitely ruin your day.
Inexperienced Drivers
Inexperienced drivers do not have the amount of knowledge or experience to react in sudden or complex situations. Even in everyday simple circumstances, an inexperienced driver can panic and cause a potentially dangerous or deadly situation. Inexperienced motorcycle riders should take extreme caution when learning how to ride a motorcycle or when practicing riding a motorcycle.
Learning how to ride a motorcycle, stay safe on the road, and watch for hazards takes time, patience, experience, and skill. So take extra caution.
Motorcycle Defects
Any type of defect on a motorcycle or on a vehicle can cause serious and hazardous situations. Locked steering, brake failure, tire blowouts, or engine stalls; our team of lawyers has experience fighting and winning any and all of the listed defects.
It’s up to you to ensure your vehicle or motorcycle is not on any current recall or auto defect lists. You can check by entering your VIN number at Safercar.gov/VIN/.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Road conditions can change at any moment and in the blink of an eye. Road Debris Accidents and Injuries can occur when objects like ladders, furniture, trash, and an infinite list of potentially deadly road hazards can fall out of the back of trucks or off the tops of cars. Whether it was their fault or not does mean it can’t still kill you.
Left Turn Accidents
When making a left turn, drivers feel they have enough time to complete their turn before you approach them, or sometimes, due to a narrow profile of a motorcycle, never see you approaching at all. These situations can be immediate fatalities that nobody ever saw coming. In the blink of an eye, you are soaring through the air or head first into the side of a vehicle.
Even if you land and are still alive, other drivers are not expecting a body to be landing in their path on the roadway in front of them. Many motorcycle riders who experience serious and catastrophic injuries weren’t from the first initial accident, but from getting hit and run over by other vehicles once they landed in the street after the initial crash.
Be ready, stay alert and cautious, and if you are still involved in a motorcycle accident or have experienced an injury on a motorcycle, contact our team of skilled and experienced San Bernardino Motorcycle Attorneys who are ready to win your case.
What Determines if My Motorcycle is Totaled?
The determination of whether or not your motorcycle is totaled after an accident depends on various factors. Generally, it’s based on the severity and scope of damage caused to your vehicle due to the crash.
The decision often considers cost-versus-value estimates that compare repair costs against current market value for similar vehicles in comparable condition.
When assessing, insurance companies will also consider any potential risks associated with repairing the bike versus simply replacing it altogether.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you navigate insurance requirements while fighting to ensure fair compensation throughout this process and more effectively protect your rights following a motorcycle accident.
Most Common Injuries From a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries.
- Torn flesh from road rash.
- Head and brain trauma are the most common injuries due to the lack of safety features on a motorcycle.
- Bone fractures or breaks are also common injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents.
- Neck and back injuries, such as whiplash or nerve damage, can occur if there is not enough protection or support for riders during an accident.
- Spinal cord injury may cause physical disability depending on the severity.
- Internal organ damage is possible from blunt force trauma caused by impact with another vehicle or terrain/object at high speed.
All motorcyclists should wear proper headgear and protective clothing while obeying traffic signals when riding to avoid suffering life-altering consequences if an accident occurs.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely to die in a crash than occupants of passenger cars per vehicle mile traveled. The statistics below are frightening and highlight the importance of motorcycle safety and the need for riders to take proper precautions on the road.
- According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one fatality and 80 injuries occur as a result of motorcycle accidents within the city of San Bernardino each year.
- Per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Over 30 million emergency department visits are due to motorcycle-related accidents and injuries.
- Countywide, 26 people were killed and 436 were injured in motorcycle crashes in the last year.
- In 2022, over 6,200 motorcyclists were killed and more than 82,600 were injured in accidents across the United States.
- The number of motorcycle accidents rose by about 33% from 2013 to 2021.
It is common for motorcyclists to suffer devastating injuries in an accident because of the lack of protection motorcycles provide. Motorcycles do not have seatbelts, airbags, or a metal frame surrounding them. The only protection a motorcycle rider has is what they choose to wear.
No Win, No Fee Motorcycle Injury Lawyers
The aftermath of an accident is difficult, especially when you are dealing with injuries and trying to arrange treatment. Bisnar Chase will advance the costs required to win your case because we want to ensure you are taken care of while maintaining peace of mind.
When you hire a personal injury attorney to represent you in your case, one of their primary roles is to help shield you from financial liability. This is a difficult time in your life, and we are here for you every step of the way. If we do not win your case, you will not pay.
Your attorney will work to prove that you were not at fault for the accident or incident that caused your injuries, and they will also work to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance companies or the other party’s legal team to secure a settlement or judgment that covers the costs of your medical care / medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy, and other expenses related to your injury.
After we resolve your case, our fees come from the settlement. They are capped at a certain percentage by law to ensure that the victim is fully compensated. If we don’t win, you pay nothing.
For more information, contact our team today.
What If You Were Partially At Fault?
It is extremely common for the at-fault party or their insurance company to try to cast blame onto the motorcycle rider after a crash. They will accuse you of speeding, lane splitting, or unsafe overtakes, in an effort to escape liability.
We will not let that happen. Bisnar Chase works with the best experts in the business to prove where the fault really lies.
However, there are cases where the motorcyclist does share a part of the blame. That does not stop you from filing a successful legal claim and winning compensation if the other driver was also at fault.
Comparative Negligence
California has a comparative negligence law for motorcycle crashes and other traffic collisions. This means that you can still recover compensation, but it may be reduced by your level of fault.
For example, if a court decides that the other driver was 90% at fault for the accident, and your negligence was 10% to blame, your compensation would be reduced by 10%.
Don’t leave money on the table because you are worried that you may be partially at fault. Contact our team and let us review your accident and provide expert guidance.
Why Can You Trust Bisnar Chase Motorcycle Lawyers?
The motorcycle accident lawyers at Bisnar Chase understand how difficult this time in your life is, financially, mentally, and emotionally. Having a legal representative you know has the skill and ability to fight and win against anyone in the world will give you peace of mind.
Being able to trust and lean on your attorney allows for a relationship and bond to take formation, decreasing your stress and concerns, making this legal process much less burdensome, and more enjoyable, from a perspective of understanding that someone who cares is fighting for you, to get you what you want, need and deserve.
Our staff is always available to take your calls or meet with you in person to discuss any questions you have about your case or situation. Our team of dedicated and knowledgeable paralegals, pre-lit staff, and mediators are always making sure every detail is thoroughly examined and ready early.
We won’t keep you waiting or wondering what’s going on with your case, giving you the peace of mind you need in this difficult time of your life.
We also support undocumented immigrants to have proper representation in the same way we protect undocumented workers.
California Motorcycle Helmet Laws
According to California Vehicle Code Section 27803: “A driver and any passenger shall wear a safety helmet meeting requirements established pursuant to Section 27802 when riding on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.”
In fact, it is unlawful to operate a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle if the driver or any passenger is not wearing a safety helmet.
Can You Still Represent Me If I Wasn’t Wearing My Helmet?
Yes, but you will bear some of the blame for your injuries, which can reduce how much compensation is recovered.
There is no question that helmets save lives and prevent serious head injuries. In fact, the CDC reports that motorcycle helmets prevent 37 percent of crash deaths among motorcycle riders and 41 percent of crash deaths for motorcycle passengers.
Helmets are the best pieces of safety equipment a motorcyclist can wear. But it is also important for motorcyclists to pay attention to their clothing.
Motorcyclists should wear upper-body clothing that covers their skin. They should wear gloves, long sleeves, and long pants at all times. Protective clothing with armor points on the shoulders, elbows, back, knees, and ankles is also a good idea.
High-visibility clothing can also help reduce the risk of accidents. However, a court can only hold you liable if you fail to wear legally required safety gear. Everything else is optional.
Contact our San Bernardino Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Injured victims of San Bernardino motorcycle crashes can pursue financial compensation from the party responsible for the accident. For example, if a car driver causes a crash by driving carelessly or recklessly, they can be held accountable for the motorcyclist’s injuries.
If the motorcycle rider crashed because of a defective motorcycle part, the manufacturer of the faulty product can be held liable. If a dangerous condition on the roadway caused or contributed to the crash, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can be held accountable.
In such cases, a claim must be filed within two years of the incident in California. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover damages, including medical expenses, lost earnings, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and other related factors.
Contact us today and let us get started on your case. We have a 99% success rate with more than $1 billion won for our clients. We are here to navigate the legal process and maximize your compensation, so you can focus on your recovery.
Our expert San Bernardino motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help. Contact us for a free consultation today. You can call (909) 253-0750, send us an email, or use our 24/7 website live chat. We look forward to hearing from you.
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
Serving California Since 1978
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with a national reputation. The firm has been in business since 1978 and has represented thousands of clients. Based in Newport Beach and with offices across California, Bisnar Chase has recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, emphasizing superior client representation above all.
