Motorcyclists in Apple Valley encounter hazards and dangers that can go beyond normal traffic risks. Roads ranging from open desert stretches to those where conditions can easily destabilize a bike can put riders in harm’s way. The result of a crash can leave an injured rider facing a serious injury and unfair presumptions about who is at fault. An Apple Valley motorcycle accident lawyer from Gonzales Law Offices can help identify what actually contributed to a collision.
Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
At Gonzales Law Offices, we represent motorcycle accident victims anywhere in California. We understand that motorcycle riders injured on High Desert streets need an attorney who understands how motorcycle accidents are different from other motor vehicle crashes. Some of these unique considerations include visibility, road conditions, and rider exposure.
Attorney Mark Gonzales has recovered over $1 million for his clients. He also worked for insurance companies, where he gained valuable insight into how insurance companies investigate and defend motorcycle claims. However, past results do not guarantee a similar outcome; every case is different.
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Why Motorcycle Crashes Are a Serious Safety Issue in Apple Valley
Motorcycle crashes are a particular concern in Apple Valley due to the open roadways, higher travel speeds, and the rider’s lack of protection. Crashes can become serious quickly on desert routes, with miles between intersections and vehicles traveling at highway speeds.
In Apple Valley, 29 motorcyclists were killed or injured in 2023. Statewide, 583 motorcyclists were killed that same year. These figures are an indicator of how vulnerable riders can be in comparison to other motorists in the state.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and Driver Errors
Driver error is one of the most common factors in motorcycle accidents and is often the result of a misjudgment of a motorcycle’s speed or distance. Left-turn collisions, unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, and distracted driving are common types of driver errors in motorcycle accidents. Their smaller size and reduced visibility make motorcycles easy to overlook, which increases the chances of drivers failing to recognize their presence.
Hazards in the road surface, such as loose gravel, slippery pavement, or debris, can also more easily cause a motorcycle to lose stability than a passenger car. Apple Valley has wide-open stretches of road and significant speed differentials between vehicles, increasing the chance of an accident if a driver does not compensate for a motorcyclist on the road.
How Motorcycle Accident Claims Differ From Other Injury Cases
Motorcycle accident claims can present different issues that often arise in car accidents. Riders may experience prejudice from insurance companies that immediately assign blame based on perceived speeding or recklessness, often without proof. Injuries are also typically more severe and can involve greater medical recordkeeping and future care.
Accident reconstruction, roadway documentation, and witness interviews may become more important pieces of evidence as to what occurred in the wreck. Motorcycles handle differently than cars, so liability can depend more on issues of visibility, vehicle positioning, and driver decisions before the wreck.
Meet Attorney Mark Gonzales, Esq.
Lead Counsel, Gonzales Law Offices
Since 2007, Mark has represented injured clients across Southern California in car, motorcycle, and truck accidents, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and premises liability. His time in insurance defense gives him inside perspective he uses to help clients take on powerful carriers. He has recovered over a million dollars for clients in difficult cases.
Bar: State Bar of California
Affiliations: CAALA, LACBA
Education: University of La Verne College of Law
Offices: Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Ontario
Free Consultation No Fees Unless We Win Se Habla Español
Does Not Wearing a Helmet Automatically Prevent Recovery in California?
Motorcyclists are required to wear approved helmets under California law, but not wearing a helmet does not automatically preclude an injury claim. The issue of wearing a helmet may come up when determining the extent of certain injuries, most notably head injuries.
Liability for the crash remains a question of fault. The facts of each case will determine how the collision happened and whether a crash caused injuries that were due to the negligence of another party.
What if the Motorcycle Accident Was Caused by a Road Hazard?
Motorcycle collisions can be caused by hazards on the road, including loose gravel, uneven pavement, potholes, or road maintenance. When a roadway condition is a contributing factor to a crash, liability may be attached to a public entity or contractor that was responsible for maintaining the road.
The regulations and deadlines for roadway condition claims differ from typical injury claims, which require prompt identification of the responsible entity.
Can a Motorcycle Passenger File a Claim After a Crash?
Yes, a motorcycle passenger can file a claim for injuries. This is possible when they were injured in a crash, and the incident was due to another person’s negligence. A passenger on a motorcycle is almost never at fault, even if they were riding with the person operating the motorcycle.
A passenger could file a claim against another driver or against the person driving the motorcycle, as well as other parties, depending on the circumstances of the crash.
Why Do Motorcycle Accident Claims Often Involve Disputes Over Fault?
Motorcycle accident claims are some of the most commonly disputed by insurers, as there is a tendency for these insurers to work on a hypothesis and assumption about the rider’s conduct. In many cases, factors such as sight lines, vehicle location, and traffic flow are all called into question.
Determining liability for these claims requires extensive investigation of crash site details and witness accounts, and physical evidence, instead of basing conclusions on first impressions or statements from drivers.
Where Do Motorcycle Accidents Commonly Occur Around Apple Valley?
Motorcycle crashes in Apple Valley sometimes happen on high-speed surface streets and connectors to neighboring towns. Locations close to Bear Valley Road, State Route 18, and roads toward Victorville may be more dangerous due to differences in speed, open areas, and minimal lighting at night. The local road conditions are usually analyzed when determining how and why a motorcycle accident happened.
Contact an Apple Valley Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accidents can result in severe injuries for riders, lengthy recoveries, and fault disputes that don’t accurately represent what occurred on the road. Learning about how California law applies to motorcycle crashes is an important step toward protecting your rights after an accident.
An Apple Valley motorcycle accident lawyer can help determine how a collision occurred, who is at fault, and what legal options are available to you. The legal team at Gonzales Law Offices is here to help injured motorcyclists by reviewing cases, explaining rights, and guiding the claims process when negligence caused a preventable crash. Schedule a consultation today to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer.
Apple Valley Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Reviews
★★★★★
“On April 9th 2024, I was in a very severe accident caused by a reckless driver. I had contacted Gonzalez law firm in which Mrs. Marilyn explain the procedures, and helped me through process. They were very responsive and answered any questions that arose. They were very attentive and if I needed any additional help, they were willing to get me the necessary help I needed. They were very helpful and would highly recommend this law firm.” – Carmen Villalobos
★★★★★
“I am extremely pleased with Gonzalez law. Mr. Mark Gonzalez himself is a very well rounded and educated lawyer in his field. He was communicative, concise, and efficient with handling my personal injury case. I am grateful to have him as my lawyer. His staff was informative and helpful with getting through my process and the he decision to choose this firm was the best decision I could have made. Thank you Mr. Gonzalez and your team! Continue to serve the community well. It is very much appreciated!” – Roza Keflom
★★★★★
“Great Experience. Once I entered you can feel they care. They talk with Experience and knowledge. Thankful to be represented by this law firm! Will recommend.” – Edward SerranoWB
I could not be more happy with the help Mark Gonzales provided. He was there for me every step of the way. He explained each step in a way that was easy for me to understand. He was available to me when ever I had a concern. His staff made me feel like I was family. I highly recommend Mark to anyone who needs legal help!
Robert R.
Mark helped me recover all my expenses due to my car accident. The insurance company tried to slow the process and doubted that I was even injured. Mark fought for me and gave me peace of mind. I felt like I had an army on my side since his staff worked tirelessly for me. They got the insurance company off my back and helped me get back on my feet faster than I expected.
April F.
Mark did a fantastic job for me when I slipped in a restaurant. I owner had the nerve to claim it was my heels, when clearly the floor was damaged and caused me to fall. He tried to make himself look like the victim of a scam. Mark put an end to that real fast. He took control of everything for me. He helped me get my medical costs paid as well as compensation for the lost time at work.
Dottie F.
The Law Office of Mark Gonzales was a smooth experience people were great and professional !! I would recommend them to anyone and if I ever need an injury attorney again I will definitely come back. THANK YOU.
Vanessa M.
The people working here are very nice and helped make a bad experience better. They made the process go smoothly and were always willing to help and answer my questions. The attorney was very personable and willing to help. The office makes sure you are comfortable and that you understand the process. I highly recommend them.
Elizabeth R.
I would like to thank the attorney Mark Gonzalez and his staff for the prompt results representing my family with our case, I would highly recommend his office, thank you in advance.
Jose G.
I want to highly recommend the lawyer Mark Gonzalez due to his great work. He took my case and won it even though another lawyer had said it was a lost case. Very friendly environment especially with the secretary at the front desk. Thank you!
Marelena R.
Mr. Gonzales did an amazing job in solving my case. I was feeling helpless and all hope lost, but him and his staff got me through it. I wouldn’t consider any other attorney than Mr. Gonzales himself. 100% recommended!
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