Riverside Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Riverside Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycles are very popular throughout California, and while most riders enjoy their time on their bikes without experiencing any issues, motorcycle accidents can and do happen regularly across the state. While less common than other motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle crashes cause far worse damage. Additionally, motorcyclists face unique risks that do not apply to the occupants of enclosed passenger vehicles.

Riverside Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Experienced Legal Representation for Motorcycle Accident Victims in Riverside

If you or a relative recently sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, you could have grounds for legal recourse if another party is responsible for causing the collision. A motorcycle accident is likely to cause a host of immediate and long-term damages, not all of which may be immediately noticeable. Additionally, the economic fallout of the incident can compound into a very challenging financial situation for the victim and their family, and this can happen very quickly.

You need legal counsel you can trust to have the best chance of recovering as fully as the law allows when another party is responsible for injuring you. The attorneys at Easton & Easton are an experienced team of attorneys who have successfully handled many personal injury claims in Riverside, including many arising from motorcycle accidents. We know the challenges that victims of these incidents face and how to guide them to the best possible outcomes for their recovery efforts. The sooner you speak with a Riverside motorcycle accident attorney you can trust, the more likely you are to reach a favorable outcome to the proceedings ahead of you.

Proving Fault for a Motorcycle Accident in Riverside

Before you can secure any kind of compensation for the damage you suffered in your recent motorcycle accident, you must first establish fault for the incident and identify the party or parties responsible. California uses the fault rule for resolving vehicle accident claims, meaning the party who causes the accident in question is liable for any and all resulting damages. In Riverside, a few of the most commonly reported causes of motorcycle accidents that generate personal injury claims include:

  • Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol, which is illegal in every state. DUI carries severe penalties for conviction, including fines, jail time, and driver’s license suspension. Many defendants will also be required to have ignition interlock devices (IIDs) installed on their vehicles after completing their suspension periods. These penalties increase substantially when DUI results in bodily harm or death.
  • Distracted driving, which is the most commonly cited cause of all motor vehicle accidents in the United States each year. Any form of distraction behind the wheel puts the distracted driver and everyone around them at risk. However, motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to distracted drivers because their vehicles are smaller and harder to notice than most passenger cars.
  • Speeding, which can not only increase the chances of a motorcycle accident happening in the first place but also increase the chances of catastrophic or fatal injuries. If a driver exceeds the speed limit, they have much less time to react to sudden changes in traffic or road conditions.
  • Poor visibility. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to accidents whenever visibility is restricted in any way. Inclement weather, driving at night, and driving through heavy traffic can all increase the chances of a motorcycle accident.
  • Reckless driving. Unfortunately, not all drivers uphold their duty of care to operate their vehicles safely and responsibly. If a driver causes a motorcycle accident through clear disregard for the safety of others or any form of egregious negligence, they are likely to be charged with reckless driving as well as face a civil suit from the injured rider.

After you have determined how your accident happened, you must prove who is responsible for causing it. Unfortunately, many victims of motorcycle accidents are so severely injured that they have little to no recollection of the actual accidents, and they must rely on their legal representatives to help them identify those responsible for their damage.

When a motorcycle accident happens because of negligence, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant had a duty of care in the situation in question that they failed to fulfill. They must then show the full scope of damage caused by the incident in question and prove they are the direct results of the defendant’s negligence and not some other cause. When an accident results from intentional misconduct or criminal action of any kind, the state is likely to open a criminal case against the defendant, and this may modify the victim’s civil case in many ways.

Comparative Fault in Personal Injury Cases

California is one of few states to enforce a pure comparative negligence rule. Under this statute, a plaintiff may recover compensation for their damages if they bear partial liability for causing the damage. However, they lose a percentage of their final compensation equal to their portion of fault for causing the accident in question. So, for example, if the plaintiff is found 10% at fault in a $500,000 claim, this would mean losing 10% of their case award for net compensation of $450,000 instead.

Most states uphold a modified comparative negligence rule that bars plaintiff recovery if they are 50% or more at fault. There is no such limit in California, so it’s theoretically possible for a plaintiff to bear 99% fault and recover 1% of their total claimed damages. However, the higher the plaintiff’s fault, the more vulnerable they are to a countersuit from the defendant. Therefore, if you have any concerns about bearing partial responsibility for your recent motorcycle accident, it is crucial that you speak with a Riverside motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible.

Claimable Damages in Motorcycle Accident Cases

The state’s personal injury statutes are relatively flexible about the damages a plaintiff may seek from the defendant who injured them. But, first, they have the right to seek full repayment of all the economic losses they suffered, which often include:

  • Medical expenses. Many motorcycle accidents cause severe or catastrophic injuries that require extensive ongoing treatment. Therefore, the plaintiff can seek accountability for all their immediate medical expenses as well as the cost of any and all ongoing medical care they will require to reach maximum medical improvement. Your Riverside motorcycle accident attorney can work with your medical team to gather any documentation you need to substantiate your claim for immediate and future medical expenses.
  • Lost income. The victim of a motorcycle accident could be left unable to work for an extended time due to the severity of their injuries. If the defendant’s actions cause you to miss work or if you must use accrued vacation time during your recovery, they are responsible for repaying these losses.
  • Lost future earning potential. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents often cause life-changing injuries, some of which interfere with victims’ ability to work and live independently. If you suffered any long-term or permanent loss from your recent motorcycle accident in Riverside, you could seek repayment for the future income you are no longer able to earn.
  • Property damage. The at-fault driver’s auto insurance may cover some of your vehicle repair costs, but any outstanding property losses can be included as economic damages in your personal injury action.

When you have an experienced Riverside motorcycle accident attorney representing you, you have the best chance of maximizing the compensation you receive for your economic damages. However, this may not be the end of your recovery, depending on the severity of the harm you experienced.

Pain and Suffering in a Motorcycle Accident Claim

Most people are aware of the concept of claiming compensation for “pain and suffering” in a civil suit, but most will find it hard to assign a monetary value to these intangible losses when they experience personal injuries. The state does not limit pain and suffering compensation in motorcycle accident claims or other vehicle accident cases. However, the plaintiff must have sound reasoning behind the amount they seek in their claim.

Your Riverside motorcycle accident attorney can provide valuable guidance in determining fair pain and suffering compensation for your recent motorcycle accident. There are generally two methods used for calculating non-economic damages in personal injury claims:

  1. The multiplier method is used when a plaintiff has suffered extreme harm involving long-term or permanent damage. Their attorney will calculate their total economic damages and then multiply this figure by a factor of one to five, depending on the severity of their condition.
  2. The “per diem” method is most often used when plaintiffs are expected to make full recoveries. The plaintiff’s attorney will help them determine a fair amount of daily compensation, and the defendant will be required to pay this amount for every day the plaintiff spends recovering.

If you or your family member suffered any type of permanent harm from the motorcycle accident in Riverside, CA, your pain and suffering compensation could be the largest compensation you secure from your successful civil claim. If you are unsure how to calculate an appropriate amount for your damages, it is crucial that you speak with an experienced Riverside motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible.

Motorcycle Accidents FAQs

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Receive for a Motorcycle Accident?

A: California law allows you to seek compensation for any and all economic losses the defendant caused you to suffer. These are likely to include vehicle repair costs, immediate and future medical expenses, lost wages, and future earning potential. You also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation in proportion to the severity of your experience and the level of long-term harm you face. Your Riverside motorcycle accident attorney is the best asset you have for maximizing your final case award.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Riverside Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

A: If you are hesitant about hiring legal representation due to the anticipated high cost of your attorney, it’s important to remember that the team at Easton & Easton accepts cases on a contingency fee basis. You only pay a legal fee once we win your case, and your fee is a predetermined percentage of the final case award, so there are no unwelcome surprises at the conclusion of your proceedings. In addition, you will not pay anything upfront or any ongoing legal expenses for the duration of your case, and you owe nothing if we are unable to secure compensation on your behalf.

Q: How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Motorcycle Accident Claim?

A: The time your case will take to reach a conclusion largely depends on whether the defendant accepts liability for the damage they’ve done. If they agree to settlement negotiations, it may only take a few weeks to finalize your case and obtain a settlement offer that meets your needs. However, if the defendant refuses to negotiate, denies liability for your damages, or asserts comparative fault, you will need to prepare for protracted litigation that can take months to resolve.

Q: Will My Riverside Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help Me Secure a Larger Case Award?

A: The right attorney can dramatically improve the final compensation you receive in any personal injury case. When you choose Easton & Easton to represent you, we have the experience to identify every channel of compensation available in your case. As a result, we are often able to exceed our clients’ expectations in terms of their recoveries, and the sooner you secure our legal representation, the better your chances are of maximizing your case award.

Q: What Happens If I’m Partially at Fault for My Recent Motorcycle Accident?

A: California enforces the pure comparative negligence rule. This means that a plaintiff may still recover compensation for their damages if they are partially to blame for the accident in question, but they will lose a percentage of their case award. The judge overseeing your case will assign a fault percentage based on your level of liability, and this is the percentage that is deducted from your final compensation. For example, if you bear 30% of the fault for the accident in question, you lose 30% of your case award. There is no fault threshold that bars plaintiff recovery under the pure comparative negligence rule.

The attorneys at Easton & Easton have extensive professional experience handling all personal injury cases on behalf of our clients throughout the Riverside area and surrounding communities. If you or a loved one is struggling with injuries and financial losses another party caused, we can help. Contact our firm today and schedule a consultation with a Riverside motorcycle accident attorney to learn more about your options for legal recourse.

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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Best Law Firms Orange County 2020

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.

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Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.

Top 100 Trial Lawyers

Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.

The Best Lawyers in America

Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.

Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California 2016

Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.

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Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.

10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms in all of Southern California

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.

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Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for 2015

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Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.

Top Rated Lawyers AV Preeminent

Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.

10 Best 2015 Client Satisfaction

Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.

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Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.

The National Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40

Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.

Avvo Rating Top Attorney Personal Injury

Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.

Nation's Premier Top Ten Attorney Personal Injury

Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.

Nation's Premier Top Ten Attorney Personal Injury

Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.

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Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer | Costa Mesa Auto Accident Attorney | Catastrophic Injuries

“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”

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Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…

Sara McClelland
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Caila Dean

Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…

Lisa Bluemel

The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…

Sofia Sanchez

I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…

Dan Campbell

Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…

Kyle Keith

What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…

Logan Ross

I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!

-Allee

Ashlee A.

Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.

Jeffrey N.

I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!

Mark B.

They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.

Vamsi P.

Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.

They are the BEST!

Jennifer P.

I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.

Claudia C.

I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way

Linda M.

The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!

Ericka P.

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