Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto represent motorcycle accident victims in Modesto. If you or a loved one has been injured in a U-turn motorcycle accident in Modesto, our team of accident attorneys will help you get fully compensated for your damages. Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a U-Turn Motorcycle Accident in Modesto?
Motorcycle U-turn accidents typically result in severe injuries to the motorcyclist. Motorcyclists have limited safety gear protecting them from collision with other vehicles, as well as with the concrete if they’re thrown from their bike. According to the Transportation Injury Mapping System, there were over 200 motorcycle accidents in 2021, which resulted in major injuries or death.
While the majority of motorcycle accidents result in severe injuries, insurance companies will still attempt to only compensate accident victims for their immediate injuries. This type of compensation often leaves victims with enormous medical bills down the road and without financial stability if they’re too injured to return to their line of work.
Personal injury attorneys take into account your future medical treatment, loss of income, and the damage done to your enjoyment of life after a motorcycle accident. For that reason, it is recommended to seek the legal counsel of a Modesto motorcycle accident lawyer if you are injured in an accident. In addition to compensation, an attorney will provide you with the following services:
- Connect you to trusted doctors for continued treatment
- File a lawsuit to get you compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Assign liability to all additional parties responsible
- Communicate with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Build your case by gathering concrete evidence to confirm your claim
- Represent you in court if your case goes to trial
Are U-Turns Legal in California?
U-Turns are when a driver makes a 180-degree turn onto a road that goes in the opposite direction. It is a common and legal maneuver in California that most drivers will perform from time to time if they’ve realized they’re going the wrong way or they need to turn back to get something they’ve left behind. However, there are illegal U-turns. U-turns performed illegaly present risk to other drivers, especially fast-moving motorcyclists whom most motorists fail to see before turning into the opposite land of traffic. According to the California Vehicle Code 22102, a U-turn is illegal when:
- There is no U-turn sign
- At a railroad crossing
- In a business district
- On a one-way street
- In front of a fire station driveway or parking lot
- On a divided highway where there are double yellow lines or strips of land down the center
A U-turn in California is LEGAL when:
- Across a double line
- In a residential area while other cars are not within 200 feet
- At an intersection during a green light as long as there are no signs indicating otherwise
- On a highway if a divider opening is provided for turns and U-turns
How Much Time Do I Have to File an Injury Claim for a U-Turn Motorcycle Accident in Modesto?
According to the Statute of Limitations in California, you have two years from the day you lost your loved one to file a wrongful death claim. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if a government vehicle ran a red light and caused your accident. You would have six months, instead of two years to file a personal injury claim.
Another exception would be the “discovery rule.” This rule delays the statute of limitations if you could not have reasonably known about your injuries right away. For example, let’s say a truck makes a U-turn in a parking lot without checking the flow of traffic and the driver pulls in front of your motorcycle. You fall and hit your head at a low speed with your helmet on. You seem fine, so you brush yourself off and continue on your way. Years later, however, you begin to have neurological issues that your doctor says must be from a time when you suffered some sort of blunt trauma to your head. In this situation, the “discovery rule” applies as the two-year clock does not start running until the day your injury was discovered. If you believe you’ve suffered injuries from a motorcycle accident, don’t wait to contact a Modesto motorcycle accident lawyer to see what legal options are available to you.
What Compensation Can I Receive for a U-Turn Motorcycle Accident in Modesto?
Motorcycle accidents can be devastating physically and financially. Most victims are left with permanent injuries and debt from medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. When examining your claim, an attorney will calculate the compensation you can receive. No case is the same, so the amount you’ll receive will be dependent on the severity of your damages. These damages include:
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospital bills
- Medications and medical equipment
- Ongoing treatment for current and future medical needs
- In-home care
- Lost income
- Loss of consortium
- Vehicle repair
- Emotional pain
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These damages are a combination of economic damages and non-economic damages. Although rare, punitive damages may be claimed if the liable party acted with extreme recklessness, or malice toward you. An example of this would be drunk driving or road rage.
Contact a U-Turn Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Modesto
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to the carelessness of another driver, the Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto can help you obtain the compensation you need. We know how traumatic and overwhelming a motorcycle accident can be to accident victims and their families. That’s why we want to help the suffering accident victims of Modesto. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront costs and you don’t pay a cent until we’ve won your case.