Do I Need a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcycle accidents in Lincoln, California, may leave you with serious injuries, even more serious medical bills, and an even more serious legal battle. Whether you were on Highway 65 or a neighborhood street, dealing with everything after a motorcycle accident could be a challenging and dangerous path without having a lawyer. At the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika, we’ve helped Northern California accident victims for over 20 years, securing substantial settlements like $2,350,000 for an auto accident and $300,000 for a trucking case involving a low back injury. In what follows, we will discuss challenges and considerations of managing a motorcycle accident claim on your own, how we at Brian P. Azemika Law can help you, and the types of compensation you may be entitled to. 

Common Challenges Without a Lawyer 

Pursuing a motorcycle accident claim independently in Lincoln may seem advantageous in the beginning. However, challenges do arise when facing the aggressive insurance companies in California and the applicable law. Notable concerns include: 

• Insurance Company Tactics: Insurance adjusters often exploit motorcyclists’ vulnerabilities, using tactics such as offering quick, lowball settlements that fail to cover long-term medical needs or lost wages. They may claim your injuries, like road rash, fractures, or traumatic brain injuries, are minor or pre-existing to reduce payouts. Without legal expertise, you might accept an offer far below what your case is worth, as seen in cases where Brian turned a $45,000 offer into a $400,000 jury verdict. 
• Proving Liability: Motorcycle accidents often suffer from a bias that attributes reckless behavior to the rider, even when the driver may be at fault (e.g., failure to yield or distracted driving). Proving the driver acted negligently will require evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and camera footage. Accumulating a collection of evidence and then presenting it in the right way is a task too complicated for an individual to handle without some form of legal assistance. In California, there is a comparative negligence rule in place, which means the value of your claim could be diminished if you were found to share some fault in the accident.   
• Coping with Medical and Financial Burden: Serious injuries, such as a spinal cord injury or fractured bone, may require extensive medical treatment and time off from work. Without proper legal assistance, you may find it hard to document your medical bills or determine your future losses, which will reduce your case. Insurance companies may delay payments, leaving you responsible for paying medical bills upfront. 
• Legal Deadlines and Procedures: California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, and missing deadlines can result in the loss of recovery. Filing claims, negotiating settlements, or preparing for trial involves complex paperwork and legal knowledge that can be challenging without the guidance of an attorney. 

These challenges underscore why going it alone can jeopardize your financial recovery and peace of mind. 

How Brian P. Azemika Can Help 

At the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika, we provide personalized, aggressive representation to motorcycle accident victims in Lincoln. Brian P. Azemika handles every case directly, ensuring you get one-on-one attention from an experienced Northern California personal injury lawyer. Here’s how we assist: 

• Thorough Investigation: We gather key evidence, including accident reports, medical records, and expert witness testimony, to construct a persuasive case. For instance, in a $750,000 slip-and-fall case Brian fought, his attention to detail was effective in recovering a substantial amount of money for his clients. We will apply the same rigor to motorcycle cases and separate any bias riders may experience. 
• Negotiating with Insurers: Brian knows the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts and counters them effectively. He’ll handle all communications, ensuring your statements aren’t twisted to reduce your claim’s value. 
• Maximizing Compensation: We explore all avenues for recovery, including upfront medical costs and ongoing expenses, such as lost earning capacity and other damages related to the incident. Our results, including the $300,000.00 trucking accident settlement, illustrate our ability to recover fair settlements. 
• Trial-Ready Advocacy: If insurers won’t offer a fair deal, Brian’s courtroom experience shines, as demonstrated by the $400,000 jury verdict he won against a low initial offer. He prepares every case as if it’s going to trial, ensuring no stone is left unturned. 
• No Upfront Costs: We work on a contingency fee basis; you pay nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome. This removes financial barriers to getting top-tier legal help. 

Our clients, like Irene J. and Andrea P. from Sacramento, praise Brian’s compassion and results-driven approach. Serving Lincoln from our Sacramento and Roseville offices, we’re local experts ready to fight for you. 

Compensation Available for Motorcycle Accident Victims 

Compared to cars, motorcycles offer significantly less protection to shield the rider in the event of an accident. That is why injuries from motorcycle accidents can be substantial or even catastrophic. If you are in Lincoln, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:   

• Medical Expenses: Reimbursement for emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing care for injuries like fractures, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries. 
• Lost Wages and Future Earnings: Compensation for income lost due to recovery time and reduced earning capacity if injuries impact your ability to work long-term. 
• Pain and Suffering: Addresses physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life, which can be significant in motorcycle cases due to severe injuries. 
• Property Damage: Reimbursement for repairs or replacement of your motorcycle and gear, such as helmets or protective clothing. 
• Permanent Disability or Scarring: Compensation for long-term or permanent impairments, like those seen in catastrophic injury cases. 
• Wrongful Death: If a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, families may recover funeral costs, loss of companionship, and financial support, as in Brian’s $300,000 wrongful death settlement. 

California’s fault-based system allows you to seek damages from any liable party, such as negligent drivers, employers, or even manufacturers for defective parts. Brian ensures all liable parties are held accountable to maximize your recovery.

Why Choose the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika? 

Motorcycling accident claims often require a lawyer who understands the legal landscape and the unique challenges of different riders. The combination of Brian P. Azemika’s years of legal experience, knowledge of the Lincoln and Northern California areas, and proven results, including settlements from $300,000 to $2,350,000, makes him a perfect advocate for your case. We are committed to our clients and will work to ensure you never feel like you are in the dark. When you work with our firm, you will have direct access to Brian, allowing you to receive updates and ask questions about your case at any time. 

Contact Us for a Free Consultation Today 

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Lincoln, don’t take on insurance companies or the complexity of laws by yourself. Contact the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika for a free case evaluation or a no-obligation consultation. Contact us online or call us to discuss your case in the comfort and safety of a confidential consultation. Our Sacramento and Roseville offices serve Lincoln and the surrounding communities in the fight to recover the compensation you are entitled to. Let us take the burden of the legal process off your back so you can focus on your recovery.