Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga

Riding a motorcycle is exhilarating, especially while traveling around the Inland Empire. There’s a lot of freedom on the open road, but motorcyclists and other motorists need to look out for each other and practice common sense.

When a serious motorcycle collision happens, it’s important to speak with an attorney about your injuries. You may be able to file a legal claim to cover medical bills, damage to your vehicle, and other financial losses associated with the crash.

To speak with an experienced Rancho Cucamonga motorcycle accident lawyer, contact our law office serving San Bernardino County. You can also reach our law firm by phone at (909) 982-0707.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in California?

They are quite common, particularly in our region of Southern California.

According to data from the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC), 565 California motorcyclists died in accidents in 2021. Nationwide, there were 5,932 motorcyclist fatalities from auto accidents.

SafeTREC provided a further breakdown of these 2021 numbers for San Bernardino County and found that there were 230 serious injuries in the county caused by motorcycle accidents. There were also 47 motorcycle accident-related fatalities in San Bernardino County in 2021.

For perspective, this means that among all California counties in 2021, San Bernardino County had the second highest number of motorcycle accident fatalities and the third highest number of motorcycle accident serious injuries.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

For most motorcycle collisions, you have two years from the date of the crash to file an accident claim. Once that two-year deadline has passed, you will not be able to seek legal action.

Keep in mind that some motorcycle accidents have shorter and stricter deadlines than the typical two-year statute of limitations. It is in your best interests to contact our motorcycle accident attorney in Rancho Cucamonga about your collision and the injuries you sustained.

Can I File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit If I Was Partly Liable for the Crash?

Yes. This is because California is a pure comparative negligence state.

Pure comparative negligence means that a person can seek damages after a motorcycle crash even if they were 99% to blame for the accident. The percentage of fault gets deducted from the total amount of legal damages awarded.

This is another reason why it’s best to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer near you as soon as possible after a collision.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas

Founded in 1995, the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas provides the people of San Bernardino County with strong legal representation after serious accidents. In addition to our high Avvo ratings and recognition from legal organizations, there are numerous qualities that set us apart from other Inland Empire law firms

Experience Working for Insurance Companies on Accident Cases

When Fernando D. Vargas began practicing law in 1987, he represented insurance companies as a defense attorney. This gave him insight on how these companies operate, and the tactics they use to minimize payouts. He can use this knowledge to negotiate better counteroffers and build stronger cases for motorcycle accident clients.

Personal Attention on the Needs of the Client

Accident victims and their families matter to us, which is why Fernando D. Vargas will personally handle each case. He will always be available if you have any questions or have a sudden concern. We encourage you to read testimonials from past clients to get an idea of what we can offer you after a devastating auto accident.

Se Habla Español: Legal Services in Spanish

To best serve the Hispanic community in San Bernardino County, it’s important to have fluent Spanish speakers. Fernando D. Vargas is fluent in Spanish, and members of his legal team are fully bilingual as well.

Free Legal Consultations

After a serious motorcycle crash, your first concern is recovering from your injuries and paying off your medical bills and other expenses. At our Rancho Cucamonga law office, your consultation is free of charge. This allows you to get honest advice from a qualified motorcycle accident attorney without any additional financial burdens.

Representation on a Contingency Fee Basis

Our law firm takes cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we only get paid if we can secure a settlement or win damages in a jury trial. If we don’t win, you don’t have to pay us. Accident victims have nothing to lose when they come to the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas.

Contact Our Rancho Cucamonga Lawyer About Your Motorcycle Accident

The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas is on your side. We are ready to listen and to be your advocates following a serious injury. To discuss your crash with an experienced Rancho Cucamonga motorcycle accident lawyer near you, contact the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas.

Motorcycle Crashes Caused by Excessive Speed

When drivers exceed the speed limit, they put their own lives and the lives of others at risk. It’s up to motorcyclists to be safe on the road, but it’s also up to other drivers to exercise caution and abide by the posted speed limit.

Motorcycle Crashes Caused by Reckless Drivers

Reckless driving refers to all kinds of actions behind the wheel that increase the chances of a serious collision. In addition to speeding, examples of reckless driving include running red lights or stop signs, tailgating, frequent lane changes, street racing, doing donuts, and refusing to yield. If you were hit by a reckless driver, our Rancho Cucamonga motorcycle accident attorney can help.

Motorcycle Crashes Caused by Distracted Driving

Driver distraction means a person’s attention is diverted away from the road and their hands could be off the wheel. This can take many forms, from texting while driving, looking up directions on the phone, making a call without a hands-free kit, eating while driving, and rubbernecking.

Motorcycle Crashes Caused by Drivers Not Checking Blind Spots

It’s easy for a motorcyclist to get lost in a driver’s blind spots. This is particularly true of vans and SUVs as well as semi-trucks and delivery vehicles. Even with that reality in mind, drivers need to be attentive and check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or making turns in order to avoid hitting a motorcyclist.

Motorcycle Crashes Caused by Drunk Drivers

Drinking and driving is never allowed, and yet people continue to put lives in danger. According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), alcohol-related accidents caused 1,920 injuries and fatalities in San Bernardino County in 2022. Our law firm can hold these irresponsible motorists accountable for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Request a Free Consultation with Our Rancho Cucamonga Motorcycle Accident Attorney

No matter what caused your motorcycle accident or who was responsible, you can count on the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas to provide help. We are provided to offer bilingual advocacy for injury victims throughout the Inland Empire. To discuss your case with a proven Rancho Cucamonga motorcycle accident attorney near you, contact our law firm today.

Lane Splitting Motorcycle Accidents

Lane splitting is when a motorcycle rides between two lanes of traffic that’s moving in the same direction along the dividing line. California is the only state in the country in which lane splitting is legal. While legal, it can be dangerous for motorcyclists as well as other drivers. Motorcyclists should exercise caution if they decide to lane split.

Motorcyclists and Dooring Accidents

Dooring is when a driver of a passenger vehicle opens their door, which is then hit by other people in a vehicle. This often happens when people park on the street and don’t pay attention to other vehicles approaching. Getting doored most commonly affects motorcyclists and bicyclists.

Motorcycle Convoys and the Potential for Collisions

If you’re out for a motorcycle ride with friends in Rancho Cucamonga, it’s important to be responsible and follow the rules of the road. That’s not always easy, and sometimes reckless driving in a convoy of motorcycles can lead to serious crashes. Be sure to look out for everyone you’re riding with when you’re out for a ride.

Motorcycle Collisions Caused by a Defective Vehicle or Faulty Parts

Driver error is not the only reason motorcycle crashes happen. Sometimes the issue is poor vehicle design, bad manufacturing practices, and faulty tires and other parts. If these factors contributed to your accident, the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can hold motorcycle companies and the makers of defective parts accountable for endangering consumers and commuters.

Motorcycle Collisions Caused by Poor Road Conditions

Pot holes, debris in the road, broken streetlights, lack of signs or warnings, and malfunctioning traffic signals could make a road dangerous to drive on. In these kinds of situations, the local road authorities in San Bernardino County could be held liable in a motorcycle crash for failing to make repairs or improvements.

Discuss Your Collision Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Victims of motorcycle accidents and their families know they can trust the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas for solid legal counsel. To request a free case evaluation with a proven Rancho Cucamonga motorcycle accident lawyer near you, contact our Inland Empire law offices today.

Common Injuries Motorcyclists Experience in an Accident

Even if you’re wearing a helmet and the right kinds of protective gear, you could still be seriously injured in a motorcycle crash.

Road Rash – Road rash is a term for skin abrasions caused by skidding or sliding along the roadway surface after a motorcycle crash. These abrasions can be quite severe depending on the nature of the collision.
Hand and Arm Injuries – It’s natural to hold out your arm to brace your fall, but the severe impact from a motorcyclist can lead to major injuries as well as nerve damage. The latter is known as biker’s arm.
Broken Bones – Major fractures are possible from a motorcycle accident, particularly the arms and legs. It’s also possible to break ribs or other bones depending on the collision and the motorcyclist’s impact with the ground.
Joint Dislocation – In addition to broken bones, a hard impact in a motorcycle crash can cause all kinds of sprains, strains, and joint locations.

Catastrophic Injuries in a Motorcycle Crash

If you suffer catastrophic injuries in a motorcycle crash, you may experience long-term or permanent changes in your mobility and overall quality of life. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – You can suffer a concussion and even more severe types of head trauma even if you are wearing a motorcycle helmet. These kinds of injuries can affect cognition, memory, emotions, mood, and motor skills.
Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries – Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial paralysis, loss of use of the lower extremities (paraplegia), and loss of use of all limbs (quadriplegia).
Loss of Limbs – Some injuries in severe motorcycle crashes may result in the loss of a limb or may necessitate surgical amputation as part of emergency medical care.

Compensation After a Serious Motorcycle Accident

When seeking compensation after a motorcycle crash, our Rancho Cucamonga law firm will help cover financial losses associated with:

Medical bills and any emergency medical care
Future health expenses related to physical rehabilitation and ongoing treatment
Lost wages due to extended leave or loss of employment
Loss of future earning potential because of a long-term or permanent disability
Property damage to the motorcycle and any belongings at the time of the crash

Our team will help you understand the true value of your claim. We will tabulate the full total of losses and make sure any settlement offer or legal damages reflect the impact the motorcycle accident had on your life.

Legal Options After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident

If you lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle crash, our law firm can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party. Like injury claims, you have two years from the date of the fatal crash to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Damages sought in a wrongful death lawsuit can be used to cover funeral expenses, grief counseling, your deceased loved one’s lost wages, and the lasting effect of your loved one’s absence on your household.

Contact Our Rancho Cucamonga Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

If you were seriously hurt while riding your motorcycle in Rancho Cucamonga, you need an experienced accident lawyer on your side. The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas is ready to help. To request a free case review, contact our San Bernardino County law office today.