Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto represents motorcycle accident victims throughout the city. Left turn accidents are one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents you’ll find, often resulting in serious injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt in one of these accidents or want to know more about your options, contact us for a free consultation.
Why Would You Need Our Lawyers?
When you’re in a motorcycle accident of any kind, you’re probably wondering what you need to do and if you need our lawyers. The answer, obviously, depends on your needs. Generally, you have the right to pursue an injury claim. That said, trying to go through the claim process alone, especially when injured, is tough. Beyond physical recovery, there’s paperwork and negotiations with insurers to handle. That’s where we step in.
Here’s how we manage left turn motorcycle accidents:
- First, we explain your legal rights and options in a free consultation
- If you want to move forward, we’ll start by investigating the facts and helping you gather important evidence
- With our team’s experience and resources, we’ll get a proper accounting of your damages and losses
- We’ll handle negotiations with the insurance company
Our overall goal is to simplify things for you. Motorcycle accidents often require significant medical care, possibly surgery and therapy. Managing this alongside insurance can be difficult, so we handle the legal side while you focus on getting better.
Who’s Responsible For a Left Turn Motorcycle Accident?
In most left turn motorcycle accidents, it’s not hard to figure out who’s responsible: the driver that hits you. Most of the time, this happens when the driver:
- Doesn’t yield to you
- Misjudges the distances between them and you on their turn
- Is distracted by their phone or something inside their vehicle
- Is driving while impaired
This amounts to negligence, and is the primary determining factor in establishing liability–or the legal responsibility for covering your injuries and damages. However, other parties like other motorcyclists, pedestrians, parts manufacturers, government agencies, or repair shops could also share some blame.
Once you have that figured out, though, you can move forward with actually filing your injury claim.
What Are Your Damages After a Motorcycle Accident?
There’s two ways to look at your “damages” after a left-turn motorcycle accident. First and foremost, there’s your physical injuries and other losses. Any motorcycle accident is going to cause some level of injury just due to the nature of them, and a left turn accident is no exception.
Then, there’s your legal damages, which is financial support made available to you under California law as an injury victim. In order to get these damages, you have to file an injury claim, either through the insurance claim outside the court system or a personal injury lawsuit within the court system. Both options allow you to recover damages from the responsible parties, which usually involve things like your:
- Hospital bills and treatment costs, and any future medical care needs.
- Lost income or wages due to the accident, both past and future.
- Physical pain and mental anguish from the accident. You can also recover separate damages for th emotional distress
- Permanent physical changes or disabilities resulting from the accident.
- Reduced quality of life due to injuries.
- Funeral and burial expenses in a fatal accident. Your surviving family members would need to file a wrongful death claim to get these.
Don’t forget to file your injury claim within California’s two-year statute of limitations from the accident date. Missing this deadline means giving up your right to recover these damages.
What Should You Do After the Accident to Protect Yourself?
You probably don’t expect to be in a left turn motorcycle accident when you’re riding along Highway 99 or in Downtown Modesto. Unfortunately, this is exactly what can happen. At that point, your rights aren’t enough for a successful claim. You have to take certain steps to protect yourself and your claim. Here’s what you should do:
- Get medical help – Your well-being comes first. Check yourself for injuries and seek medical care right away. Whether it’s calling for an ambulance at the scene or visiting an emergency room/urgent care, getting medical help is crucial. Follow up with a doctor for continued care.
- Exchange information – If possible, exchange contact and insurance details with the other involved driver. If they leave, inform the authorities immediately and report the incident.
- Report the accident – Contact either the Modesto Police Department (MPD) or the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office to officially report the accident. While a police report may not serve as evidence in court, it contains essential information for your claim.
- Document the scene – If possible, document the accident scene by taking photos and videos. Avoid repairing or replacing any damaged property or motorcycle parts, as this evidence could be vital for your claim.
Following these steps can greatly support your recovery process. While it won’t undo the injuries, it lays a foundation for your legal claim. More than that, it also shows you’re being proactive.
What Injuries Can You Expect in a Left Turn Motorcycle Accident?
A left turn motorcycle accident might have its own unique circumstances, but what doesn’t change from case to case is the typical injuries. As you might expect, these injuries happen despite precautions and even wearing a helmet and safety gear.
Unfortunately, the injuries commonly associated with these accidents can be quite severe, both physically and mentally. This means you can expect to have to deal with:
- Fractures and broken bones – Bones can break due to the force of impact.
- Road rash – Skin abrasions and cuts from contact with the road.
- Traumatic brain injuries – Serious head injuries that affect thinking and memory.
- Spinal cord injuries – Damage to the spine causing paralysis or loss of movement.
- Internal organ damage – Damage to your internal organs, especially your kidneys, liver and spleen.
- Soft tissue injuries – Sprains, strains, or tears to muscles and ligaments.
- Psychological injuries – Emotional trauma like PTSD or anxiety.
To lower the risk of these injuries, riders should wear helmets and protective gear, follow traffic rules, and stay alert. Despite precautions, accidents can still happen, so it’s essential to remain cautious. Even with these injuries, our team will be there to help and support you throughout the claims process.
Experienced Left Turn Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Modesto are Here to Help
Being in a left-turn motorcycle accident can turn your life upside down. Whether it’s injuries, property damage, or just losing the joy of riding in Modesto, the effects can linger long after the crash. At Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto, we understand the challenges you’re facing. Our team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers will be there to help you through the claims process. Contact us today for a free consultation to get the recovery process started.