Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari represents bikers who have suffered a motorcycle accident because of the negligence of another.
There are more motorcycles registered in California – many in Southern California – than in any other state. That is not surprising when you take in the state’s population and climate.
According to a 2015 estimate by the Governors Highway Safety Association, there were 5,000 fatal motorcycle accidents, making 2015 the third year in a row when the body count was above 5,000.
The good news for California is that unlike the rest of the country, motorcycle deaths fell by 7%, according to the GHSA report. But because of the large motorcycle population, that still made the state’s total number of motorcycle deaths second only to Florida’s.
What a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Do for You
When a biker has a motorcycle accident it is very likely that the serious personal injuries can be extensive and catastrophic. Spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries are frequent results of motorcycle accidents.
If you or a loved one was in a motorcycle accident, Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari will do everything legally possible to get you the compensation you deserve. He will:
- Get you proper medical care and ensure that your medical bills are paid.
- Get your bike and your gear (helmet, gloves, etc.) fixed or replaced.
- Get you a replacement vehicle while your bike is being repaired.
- Get you reimbursement for lost wages and benefits.
- For a deceased motorcyclist’s family, if the accident is ruled to be a wrongful death, you may be eligible for funeral expenses and compensation for the lost income of your family member.
At The Shahriari Law Firm we do NOT permit an insurance company to nickel-and-dime you or for them to low ball a settlement offer.
Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari offers a free, no-obligation consultation to bikers who suffered serious personal injuries or to the families of bikers who lost a loved one to a wrongful death. The Shahriari Law Firm takes cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing until your case is resolved.
Motorcycle Stereotypes and Your Case
People – including law enforcement and juries – are biased against motorcycles. That is why a motorcycle accident lawsuit is not the same as a car accident case.
It is important that the motorcycle accident lawyer you choose to represent you knows how to fight the stereotype people have of motorcyclists. The Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari has the experience to not let this bias effect how much compensation you get for your injuries and losses.
Insurance and My Case
According to studies, approximately three-fourths of motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle.
The most common cause of a motorcycle accident is a motor vehicle making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
Intersections are the most likely place for a motorcycle accident to occur. Often the motor vehicle driver has violated the motorcyclist’s right-of-way and ignored traffic controls such as lights or stop signs.
However your motorcycle accident happened, the insurance company is going to resist compensating you or offer to compensate you a lot less than you deserve.
Never lose sight of the fact that regardless of how “nice” the insurance adjustor is, their job is to pay out as little as possible. This is why Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari urges you not to talk to insurance adjusters other than to give them your motorcycle accident lawyer’s contact information.
If the other driver is not insured, or if they are under-insured, you still may be able to get compensation through the Uninsured Motorist Coverage that probably comes with your own car insurance policy.
Whose Fault is It?
Without an investigation into all aspects of your motorcycle accident, often liability (who is responsible), is unclear. Negligence might lie with a variety of entities, including:
- Other driver
- Manufacturer or seller of the bike or of after-market items
- Government entities responsible for road design and safety
- Other driver’s employer, if they were driving while on business for their employer
Even if you are partially responsible for the accident, you still may be eligible for compensation. California has comparative liability laws. This means that though the court could hold you partially responsible, the other party could be held partially responsible for your damages.
For example, if you didn’t stop at a stop sign, the court could find you 10% responsible and the other driver 90% responsible for the motorcycle accident. If the verdict came back as $100,000, the other driver’s insurance would owe you $90,000, or 90% of $100,000.
Statute of Limitations and Your Motorcycle Accident
There is a deadline by which time you must file a lawsuit. The deadline varies depending on the situation, but if you miss the deadline, you give up all rights to seek compensation.
Whether or not you have decided to file a lawsuit, you should talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. You want to find out your legal options so you can make an educated decision about how you want to proceed.
Another reason to talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible is so your motorcycle accident attorney can begin an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari will find out from the other driver’s insurance company how much insurance the other driver is carrying. He also will hire various experts to investigate the crash, to talk to witnesses, and to ensure that you are getting the medical attention you need.
A Free Consultation to Answer Your Questions
If you and Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer Cyrus Shahriari decide to work together, he takes your case on a contingency basis. This means you pay nothing until your case is resolved.
Contact The Shahriari Law Firm for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Motorcycle Accident
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: The police report says I’m at fault for my motorcycle accident. How do I prove I’m not?
A: Police reports are frequently wrong. If the officer did not see the motorcycle accident, then he is writing down information he has heard from others or used his expertise to determine what actually happened. Because the officer did not see the accident, in most cases the police report is not admissible into evidence in court. It’s considered hearsay.
As your motorcycle attorney, we will start a full-scale investigation into what happened to determine all who might be liable for your motorcycle accident. When we take the officer’s deposition, at that point we can demonstrate why the police report is incorrect.
Q: The police report claims I am at fault for my motorcycle accident because I was not wearing a helmet. Is this right?
A: California recognizes comparative negligence. This means that you can be held partially responsible for a motorcycle accident if the defense can prove your actions contributed to the accident.
Since you must wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle in California and you weren’t, you might be held 10% responsible for the motorcycle accident. If we settle your case for $100,000, for example, that means that you will receive $90,000 from the other party.
Q: How much money is a motorcycle accident worth?
A: Just like a car accident, every motorcycle accident is different. That is why one biker might walk away with a few thousand dollars and another one might obtain a 7-figure settlement. The 3 things that have the biggest impact on the results you get are:
- How badly you’re injured
- What is your amount of lost wages and benefits
- How much property damage was there
Two other elements that will influence the results you get will be the motorcycle lawyer you choose and, to a lesser degree, where the accident happened.
Q: How long does a motorcycle accident case take to resolve?
A: The more damages you suffered in the motorcycle accident, the longer it will take the case to resolve. Once a settlement or verdict has been accepted, you cannot go back for additional compensation if additional injuries or complications arise. So we want to wait until all your medical issues are known and handled.
Insurance companies know that the COVID-19 Pandemic has shut down and caused significant delays in trial availability. So they either refuse to settle or offer a low-ball settlement that is often pennies on the dollar of what they should compensate you for.
Your case could take anywhere from 6 months (assuming the insurance company is reasonable), to 2 or 3 years, which is most likely.
Q: How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost?
A: There are no upfront fees or retainers when you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. The Shahriari Law Firm takes your case on a contingency basis and puts up all the money until your case is resolved. Once your case is wrapped up, The Shahriari Law Firm gets a pre-agreed upon percentage of the award it obtained for you.