Livingston Man Seriously Hurt in Motorcycle Crash
A Livingston man was seriously hurt after a motorcycle crash on State Route 99 in Merced County on the night of Tuesday, May 18, 2021. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the incident happened shortly after 8:00 p.m. on southbound Highway 99 near Westside Boulevard in Winton.
Report on the Motorcycle Crash That Left a Livingston Man Seriously Hurt
A 25-year-old man from Livingston was riding a 2018 Kawasaki and was involved in an accident with a 2018 Lexus coupe, CHP traffic officials reported. The motorcycle rider was transported via air ambulance to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto for treatment of serious injuries. Officials said the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening in nature. Further details on the crash were not immediately available.
What You Should Know About Motorcycle Accidents and Insurance Coverage
When a motorcycle rider suffers injuries in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, the injured party may be entitled to financial compensation for damages incurred. However, these types of cases can be challenging as various factors are involved that may impact their outcome.
If serious injuries are involved in a motorcycle accident, damages may exceed the minimum bodily injury liability limits required by California law. When an at-fault party does not have sufficient coverage or none to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) may come into play. This type of coverage is handled under a first-party insurance claim and should cover personal injury damages up to the limits of the policy.
Because of the prevalence of drivers without insurance in California, all drivers are encouraged to purchase an auto or motorcycle insurance policy with UM and UIM limits that exceed the state minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. For more details on accidents with uninsured drivers, watch the video below.
Dealing with Auto Insurance Companies After a Traffic Collision
The value of a motorcycle accident claim will depend on the facts and circumstances of the case. Since insurance companies are focused on protecting their bottom line, they will search for any reason they can find to dispute bodily injury claims, make lowball settlement offers, or outright deny cases. A claimant will need to gather, preserve, and present compelling evidence to protect themselves from such defense tactics. This includes:
- Medical records that provide documentation of the injuries resulting from the motorcycle accident, related treatment, and limitations that affect function for the patient
- Estimates of need for future medical treatment as proven through expert witness testimony
- Statements from eyewitnesses to the motorcycle crash
- Traffic incident reports, testimony from accident reconstruction experts, and accident investigation information
- Calculations of lost wages and loss of future earning capacity if permanent injury or disability is involved
- Assessments by engineers of defective motorcycle parts and equipment
- Documentation of how a motorcycle rider and their life has been affected by the accident
Every personal injury case requires a thorough analysis of the facts, legal issues, and evidence surrounding the incident and resulting injuries. At our law firm, our attorneys believe that injured parties should focus on their recovery instead of dealing with difficult insurance companies and defense counsel. That is why we provide the assistance, guidance, and support our clients need throughout the legal process with the goal of obtaining fair compensation and justice on their behalf. To learn more about how we can help, do not hesitate to reach out to us today to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced injury lawyers.
Personal Injury Attorney in Merced
I’m Ed Smith, a Merced personal injury attorney. It is easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed after getting into an accident as a motorcyclist. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver or entity, contact our experienced lawyers at our law firm today for free, friendly advice. We provide each client we represent with the compassionate advice, guidance, and representation they deserve. To schedule a free case evaluation today, give us a call at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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Since 1982, we have helped California residents obtain fair compensation and justice in motorcycle accident cases. To see how we have helped resolved cases for former clients, head over to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
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