Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in San Jose, CA
Advocating for Motorcycle Riders in Santa Clara County
Motorcycle rides should never be a terrifying experience, but it takes a distracted driver or a poorly designed intersection to cause serious injuries in an accident. Victims of these incidents often face significant losses and complex processes for recovering damages. With the guidance of a motorcycle accident lawyer in San Jose, CA, you gain expert legal guidance, advocacy, and results.
At Suits Litigation, Inc, we provide clients with exceptional legal support and guidance. That starts with a free, no-risk consultation with our San Jose motor vehicle accident attorney. James C. Suits II is ready to listen and be your tireless advocate.
Motorcycle Accidents Can Be Devastating for Numerous Reasons
Motorcycle accidents are devastating and can happen anywhere in the South Bay. You may be on I-880 and a truck driver doesn’t check their blind spot before merging into your lane. You might be getting onto Highway 85, and a driver doesn’t give you the right of way.
Victims of these accidents often face a few factors that contribute to their severity and complexity:
- Serious injuries are very common because a rider has very limited or no protection against the force and impact of a vehicle.
- Motorcycle riders often face a stigma that they cause their own accidents because they engage in reckless behavior, even if the evidence does not support this claim.
- Riders often struggle to prove both the severity of their injuries and the cause of such accidents, especially when no footage of the event is available.
The complexity of these cases makes it essential for victims to seek legal representation. Our San Jose motorcycle accident attorney has the extensive experience you need to fight for truly fair compensation. You should not fear riding down Highway 17 and seeing the sights because a driver was texting.
Notably, motorcycles account for only about 3% of all registered vehicles on the road and just 0.6% of the miles traveled nationwide. Yet, in 2023, they accounted for 15.5% of all traffic fatalities and 3.4% of all injuries, according to data from the National Safety Council. Your risks are high, but our extensive experience works for you.
Why Trust Suits Litigation, Inc With Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Suits Litigation, Inc, led by principal attorney James C. Suits II, is committed to providing motorcycle accident victims with solutions. We understand the personal injury law is complex, and much of the responsibility to prove your right to compensation is on your shoulders.
With decades of experience and compassion for victims, our motorcycle accident attorney will always provide you with exceptional support during your worst times. We serve Bay Area motorcyclists, providing careful attention to each person’s unique needs. When you hire our legal team, you can breathe a bit easier.
Key California Motorcycle Laws
Riders, like every other motor vehicle driver, must take necessary steps to protect others from injury by following the state’s laws. If you earned your motorcycle license, as required under California law, you know there are numerous rules you must follow. Some of the specific motorcycle rules in California that could play a role in your case include:
- Riders must obtain either a Class M1 or M2 license to operate a motorcycle on the roadways. Having a driver’s license is not enough to meet this requirement.
- Anyone under the age of 21 must complete the California Motorcyclist Safety Program to obtain a license.
- All riders and passengers in California are required to wear a helmet. That helmet must meet national standards and expectations.
- All motorcycles must be equipped with critical safety features to protect riders and others, including functioning turn signals, headlights, and taillights that are always on, even during the day.
- Riders must operate in a lane on the roadway like a vehicle. California permits lane splitting. However, riders must ensure that all parties are safe.
- All motorcycle riders must carry the minimum required liability insurance to protect themselves and others.
Abiding by these and other applicable motorcycle laws minimizes the risk of not receiving compensation if another vehicle strikes you. As your motorcycle accident lawyer in San Jose, you can expect James C. Suits II to demonstrate that you deserve fair compensation for your losses.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in San Jose
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to see accidents happening along the San Tomas Expressway/ Montague Expressway or along I-280 or I-880. Riders are often faced with serious accidents on these high-speed roadways. However, accidents also occur frequently in the city’s commercial districts and residential areas. There are numerous notable reasons why motorcycle accidents happen:
- Distracted drivers who do not see the motorcycle
- Drivers who are fatigued or otherwise unable to focus on the roadway
- Intoxicated drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Motorcycle failures that cause breakdowns
- Speeding drivers
- Drivers who do not know how to share the road with motorcycles in California
- Those engaging in illegal lane changes or failing to provide the right of way
In each of these situations, gathering evidence to demonstrate what occurred is critical. You can expect our San Jose motorcycle accident attorney to work aggressively at seeking every component of data available to demonstrate your rights to compensation.
How We Prove Fault in a Motorcycle Accident
If you were in a motorcycle accident along Highway 101 or you were rear-ended as a rider on the El Camino Real, you may be uncertain how an attorney can gather data to prove your case. Our extensive experience makes that possible.
We seek evidence from every possible area with the sole goal of creating a clear claim for you. Evidence may be available through dashcam footage, traffic camera data, witness statements, and expert reconstructions. Expect us to thoroughly examine it to understand why you are suffering fully.
Parties That May Be Liable for a Motorcycle Crash
Numerous parties could be at fault in your accident, including:
- The driver of the vehicle that hit you
- The owner of the truck that struck you
- The employer of the driver who struck you, if they were working at the time of the accident
- The city or state, if the road conditions were poor and contributed to your accident
- Motorcycle manufacturers, if they are found at fault
With all of the evidence we have, we will build a robust claim against any party that contributed to your losses. Our experience negotiating with insurance companies that fight motorcycle damage claims makes us the ideal law firm to call on. Expect San Jose motorcycle accident lawyer James C. Suits II to remain dedicated to your case until you win it.
Potential Serious Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Victims of motorcycle accidents often face a serious risk of injury. In our experience serving the community, especially after high-speed accidents along Highway 85 or the Lawrence Expressway, motorcycle accident victims suffer complex injuries and losses. If you suffered any of the following injuries, contact Suits Litigation, Inc for immediate guidance:
- Traumatic brain injuries with skull fractures
- Bone fractures, crushing injuries, or other complex breaks
- Spinal cord damage with chronic pain development and paralysis
- Amputations of digits or limbs
- Disfigurement from scars, road rash, burns, or amputations
- Road rash that results in serious infections
- Internal organ injuries
- Serious soft tissue injuries
After you are hurt in a motorcycle accident, seek immediate medical care and document the losses you have. As soon as it is safe for you to do so, contact our motorcycle accident lawyer in San Jose to start working on building your case.
Catastrophic Injuries After Motorcycle Accidents
It is critically important for those who have catastrophic injuries to seek immediate legal assistance. There is a significant amount of compensation necessary to help you recover from your accident and rebuild your life. If you settle too soon without the guidance of our catastrophic injury lawyer, you are likely to miss the compensation you need.
If you suffered serious disfigurement, loss of hearing or vision, paralysis, amputation, or onset of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, set up some time to speak to our lawyer about your case and your losses. Let us fight for fair compensation.
Fatalities in San Jose Motorcycle Accidents
Victims who suffer such devastating injuries may not survive. Data from the California Office of Traffic Safety indicates that, in 2023, 583 motorcycle riders lost their lives in crashes across the state. If your family member lost their life in a motorcycle accident, we encourage you to speak to our wrongful death attorney in San Jose immediately.
Immediate family members may seek compensation for all losses suffered that the individual would have recovered if they survived, as well as losses to the family. Examples may include funeral and burial costs, end-of-life medical care, loss of financial support, and loss of relationships. Let us take a closer look at what you are facing now.
Hit and Run Motorcycle Accidents in California
With the guidance of our motorcycle accident lawyer, you will have the resources available to you to track down those responsible and fight for fair recovery. Our hit-and-run accident lawyer in California has extensive experience fighting for victims, gathering evidence to hold those who hurt them accountable, and fighting for their rights in a court of law. Let our San Jose motorcycle accident attorney guide you in taking legal action after a hit-and-run accident.
Potential Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case
Victims of motorcycle accidents have the right to pursue compensation from those who caused their injuries for any losses they can document and back with evidence. Potential damages in a motorcycle accident can fall into several categories.
Economic damages in a motorcycle accident typically include:
- Medical costs for current and ongoing care needs
- Property damage, including repair or replacement costs for your bike
- Loss of earnings from being unable to work for a period of time
- Loss of earning capacity if you cannot do the same type of work due to your injuries
- Out-of-pocket costs associated with the injury and recovery process
Non-economic damages in a motorcycle accident include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma onset
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
To calculate these losses, our San Jose motorcycle accident lawyer will learn as much as he can about your injuries and the impact they have on your health and well-being. James C. Suits II aims to pursue fair compensation that enables you to recover to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Punitive Damages in California
There are limited instances in which punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, may be awarded to victims under California law. This type of award is not intended to compensate you, but rather to serve as a financial penalty for the victim.
Under California laws, victims have the right to pursue fair compensation for their losses. However, punitive damages are only awarded in situations where the judge determines the driver acted in an intentional or particularly heinous way, and that is what contributed to or caused the accident. During your free consultation with Suits Litigation, Inc, we will discuss whether these damages may be applicable in your case.
Statute of Limitations in a Motorcycle Accident in California
The California statute of limitations provides victims of motorcycle accidents with two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court. This two-year timeframe means that if you fail to file a lawsuit within the two years after your accident, the court will not likely hear your case.
Will My Motorcycle Accident Case Go to Trial?
Most of the cases our motorcycle accident lawyer in San Jose handles are settled far more quickly and without the need for a court appearance. That is due to our extensive experience in fighting for victims’ rights.
In situations where your case does go to court, you can trust James C. Suits II has the experience and legal acumen to guide you throughout this process.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney in San Jose, CA
With years of experience and a passion for helping victims to hold those who hurt them accountable, you can trust in Suits Litigation, Inc. for comprehensive legal representation. Schedule a free consultation with our San Jose motorcycle accident lawyer today. We do not charge you anything until we win you