Fresno Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

While motorcycle travel has its advantages, negligent drivers often put riders at risk. When a collision occurs, the lack of protection frequently leads to severe harm, ranging from traumatic brain injuries and spinal damage to wrongful death.

Even for those wearing full safety gear, a high-speed impact with a passenger vehicle can cause life-altering consequences. If you’ve been injured in a wreck, our Fresno motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help.

Fowler | Helsel | Vogt has been serving injured clients since 2010, and we’re here to listen to your story. Contact our Fresno personal injury lawyers today to get a free consultation.

Why Choose Fowler | Helsel | Vogt After a Fresno Motorcycle Wreck?

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, having the right legal team can make a major difference in your recovery, your finances, and your ability to move forward.

At Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, our Fresno motorcycle accident lawyers are committed to helping injured riders pursue the compensation they deserve.

Here’s why injured riders turn to us:

• Available 24/7: The aftermath of a motorcycle wreck can be chaotic and stressful at any hour of the day. Our firm is always available to answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide the guidance you need throughout every stage of your case.
• Serving injured riders since 2010: Since the day we opened our doors, Fowler | Helsel | Vogt has been a dedicated advocate for motorcycle accident victims across the community, helping injured riders secure the compensation they need to heal and move forward.
• No win, no fee: You should never have to worry about legal costs on top of everything else you are dealing with after an accident. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case.
• We are local: We are not a distant, out-of-state firm that does not know your community. We are locals. We know these roads, we know these courts, and we are deeply committed to fighting for every client we represent.
• Free consultation: Getting answers about your legal options should not cost you anything. We offer a completely free, no obligation consultation so you can understand your rights and make informed decisions about your case before taking a single step forward.

What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Injuries?

Motorcycle riders know the potential dangers they face on the road. In busy traffic, the compact nature of motorcycles as a mode of transportation can make riders especially vulnerable. Even when wearing proper protective gear, motorcyclists are at risk of life-changing injuries.

A lawyer can help victims pursue compensation after crashes caused by reckless behavior, distracted driving, or unsafe road conditions.

Some of the most common motorcyclist injuries include:

Head and Brain Injuries

Motorcycle head injuries range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and skull fractures. The brain, one of the body’s most vital organs, can suffer devastating effects when swelling occurs after impact.

Wearing a helmet in compliance with California law and using proper protective gear can reduce the risk of fatal outcomes. In many cases involving Fresno traffic, these injuries occur due to drivers failing to check blind spots (a common cause of severe collisions).

Victims often face overwhelming medical costs as treatment and rehabilitation begin immediately after the crash.

Road Rash

Road rash is a common injury resulting from a motorcyclist sliding across the pavement after being thrown from their bike. While protective gear such as leather and denim can reduce damage, severe cases can still lead to deep wounds, infections, nerve damage, and scarring.

Spinal Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are another severe risk of motorcycle crashes. Because the spinal cord transmits signals from the brain to the body, any damage can result in permanent complications, including nerve damage and loss of mobility.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Foot, leg, and arm injuries are sadly common in motorcycle wrecks. Some severe cases can even lead to amputation.

Accidents that result in broken bones are unfortunately especially common in heavy traffic. Often, drivers fail to check blind spots, or they engage in reckless behavior around motorcycles.

The resulting medical costs from surgeries, therapy, and rehabilitation can be extensive, making legal support from a motorcycle accident lawyer critical.

How to Prove Negligence in a Motorcycle Wreck Case

In California, to succeed in a motorcycle accident case, an injured motorcyclist generally needs to prove the following elements to establish the liability of the at-fault party:

• Duty of care: The injured motorcyclist must establish that the at-fault party (usually the other driver) owed a duty of care. This duty is the responsibility to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner to avoid causing harm to others on the road.
• Breach of duty: The motorcyclist needs to demonstrate that the at-fault party breached their duty of care. This could involve actions such as reckless driving, failure to yield, distracted driving, or other negligent behaviors that led to the accident.
• Causation: The breach of duty must be shown to be a direct cause of the motorcycle accident and resulting injuries. Essentially, the motorcyclist needs to establish a clear connection between the at-fault party’s actions and the harm suffered.
• Damages: The injured motorcyclist or their attorney must be efficient at gathering evidence of actual damages, such as medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other losses resulting from the accident.

Keep in mind that California follows a pure comparative negligence system, meaning an injured party’s own negligence can be considered when determining compensation. Even if a motorcyclist is found to be largely at fault, they may still recover damages under California law. 

However, their compensation would be reduced in proportion to their share of responsibility. This means that even when fault is heavily disputed after a motorcycle wreck, victims may still have a path to financial recovery.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Motorcycle Accident in California?

In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after a motorcycle wreck is generally two years from the date of the accident. This means you have two years from the accident date to file a claim in court or settle your case outside of court.

However, there are exceptions to this deadline. For instance, if the at-fault party is a government entity, you may be required to file a claim with the government agency within six months of the accident, before proceeding with a lawsuit.

Please note that waiting too long to file a claim can result in your case being dismissed and you being unable to recover compensation for your motorcycle injuries. Contact a personal injury attorney now to get started on your claim.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Fresno Today

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle crash, don’t wait to get the legal support you need. Whether you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury or lost a loved one in a wrongful death incident, our Fresno motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help you face the legal process.

If you’re dealing with medical bills, lost wages, or insurance claims, we are committed to providing personalized and dedicated representation. Get a free consultation with Fowler | Helsel | Vogt to learn more about our firm.