Man Injured in Jamestown Motorcycle Accident
A local man was injured in a Jamestown motorcycle accident on the night of August 6, 2019. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a 68-year-old Jamestown man was riding his 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle south on 7th Street. He reportedly rode over an uneven portion of the road and lost control. The bike drifted off the roadway and allegedly landed onto the biker’s left leg. First responders transported him to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. An update regarding his condition was not immediately available.
What to Do After a Jamestown Motorcycle Accident
Gathering necessary information after a motorcycle accident may be challenging to do if you have suffered traumatic injuries. If possible, follow these steps to protect your wellbeing and legal rights after a collision:
- Call Authorities: Anyone who is involved in an accident causing injury or property damage is required to remain at the scene under California law. Police should be requested at the crash site to take a traffic collision report. You will want to get a copy of this report when it is ready and provide it to your insurer. These reports are vital in determining who is at fault for a crash.
- Seek Medical Treatment: Motorcycle accidents often involve catastrophic injuries. Getting proper medical care is critical. Be sure to follow your primary provider’s advice and do not miss any scheduled appointments. If you miss too many or allow gaps in treatment, an insurance company may dispute the severity of your injuries.
- Exchange Information: If a motorcycle accident involved another car, be sure to exchange contact information. This includes names, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, addresses, and insurance policy information.
- Talk to Witnesses: Eyewitnesses to a motorcycle crash is essential in any case. If it is possible, try to take down contact information for anyone who may have witnessed the collision.
- Collect Evidence: Take photographs of the accident scene with a cell phone or camera. Include the cars, their positions, and any roadway marks. If a motorcycle accident involved a road defect such as uneven roadway surface, be sure to take pictures of this as well. You will need this evidence to prove your claim with insurance companies.
- Preserve Damaged Items: You will want to hold onto your damaged motorcycle, helmet, and other equipment after a crash. This evidence will be critical in proving your injuries and damages to an insurance carrier.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: If the other driver’s insurance claims adjuster contacts you for a recorded statement, politely decline until you speak to a Jamestown motorcycle accident attorney. Any statement you make may be taken out of context, which may affect the value of your personal injury claim.
For more information on what to do after a motorcycle accident, please feel free to download the California Motorcycle Accident Handbook for free on Amazon. To learn about the damages that may be claimed in a motorcycle accident case, watch the below video.
Government Entity Claims for a Jamestown Motorcycle Accident
A motorcyclist has the right to file a claim against a government entity if a road defect is involved in an accident. A personal injury lawyer will establish that the government entity was negligent in their duty of care owed to the injured party. Negligence will be determined by proving that the government entity had a responsibility to maintain the roadway, and the government agency violated that obligation. These types of claims must meet specific criteria and filing deadlines. Under California Government Code 911.2, a claim must be filed with the appropriate government agency within six months after the crash. If the deadline is not met, the injured biker’s case may be dismissed by the court, and the right to recover fair compensation may be lost. This is why it is critical to have an experienced injury lawyer at your side. An attorney can ensure all appropriate guidelines and statute of limitations are met.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Jamestown
I’m Ed Smith, a Jamestown personal injury attorney. Being injured in a motorcycle accident may be devastating. You may feel stressed out about how to provide for your family if you are unable to return to work. In times like these, you may benefit from the insight of an experienced injury lawyer. You are welcome to call me anytime at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice.
You are invited to take a look at our client comments and reviews at:
I am honored to be a member of several legal groups, including the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates. The first group showcases the top one percent of attorneys who provide their clients with the highest standards of excellence. The other forum limits membership to trial lawyers who have achieved verdicts and settlements worth over $1 million.
If you are interested in seeing how our law office has resolved cases for our prior clients, visit our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photo Source: By “ElasticComputeFarm” via Pixabay
:ds llo [cs 854]