Maison Law represents the families of fatal motorcycle accident victims in Hanford. If you’ve suffered the unfortunate loss of a loved one in a motorcycle accident due to the careless actions of another, the wrongful death attorneys at Maison Law are here to get you the financial support you need. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Hanford?
Losing a loved one in a motorcycle accident is devastating. No amount of money can make up for a family member’s absence, but there are legal options available to make the process easier for you and your family. If your loved one died in a fatal motorcycle accident due to the careless actions of another, a wrongful death attorney can file a lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family members. The recoverable damages from a wrongful death claim include:
- Burial and funeral expenses for the decedent
- Lost income the deceased would have continued to earn
- Pain and suffering the decedent was exposed to before their untimely death
- Medical bills the decedent may have accumulated
- Loss of consortium
Who Can Receive Compensation in a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Hanford?
According to the Code of Civil Procedure, section 377.60, the following people can seek compensation for a wrongful death:
- Surviving spouses
- Domestic partners
- Children
- Grandchildren (only if the deceased person’s children have also passed away
- Stepchildren may claim damages if they were at least 50% dependent on the decedent’s financial support
- Anyone entitled to the deceased’s property under intestate succession law
However, if no one in the decedent’s life fits the listed people above, there are additional individuals who qualify for compensation. If a person is dependent on the decedent such as a stepchild, or parent, they are entitled to compensation.
Most Common Causes of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Hanford
Since 1997, according to the Federal Highway Administration, fatal motorcycle accidents have gone significantly up, while fatal car accidents have gone down. Why is that? While it may come as no surprise to some, motorcycles travel at a much higher rate of speed and with far less protection than all other vehicles on the road. Even in Hanford’s Kings County, according to the Transportation Injury Mapping System, speeding is the result of over 33% of all motorcycle accidents in the county.
The most common collisions resulting in fatal motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: even momentary glances can cause devastating accidents. Distracted driving can be proven through camera footage, cell phone records, and collision investigations.
- Speeding: speeding only increases the severity of accidents and is a leading contributor to fatal motorcycle accidents every year in California. A driver’s CPU data can potentially reveal their speed before an accident.
- Moving violation: running red lights, illegal U-turns, or failing to yield can disrupt the flow of traffic, leading to major accidents. These illegal actions can typically be proven by traffic camera footage and eyewitnesses.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): this action is one of the leading causes of fatal motorcycle accidents in California.
- Lane-splitting: occurs when motorcyclists ride between lanes of traffic, which can lead to accidents if drivers are not aware of the motorcyclist.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Hanford?
Unfortunately, there is no typical settlement amount for motorcycle accident cases as they depend on numerous factors such as liability and the severity of your damages due to the untimely loss of your loved one. Damages can be broken down into economic damages and non-economic damages. These include:
- The financial support received from the decedent
- Loss of income the decedent would have continued to earn
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of benefits the family would have received from the decedent
- Loss of consortium
- Mental trauma and anguish associated with the loss of a loved one
If the decedent was found partially to blame for the accident, you and your family are still entitled to compensation. California adheres to the Comparative Negligence Law, which states:
“Under the pure comparative negligence rule, the state allows the plaintiff to claim damages for the 1% they are not at fault even when they are 99% at fault.”
So, if your loved one was partially at fault for the accident, you and your family still reserve the right to compensation, it will just be reduced by the percentage at which the decedent was found at fault.
Contact a Fatal Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Hanford
If you’ve lost a loved one due to the careless driving of another, the motorcycle accident attorneys at Maison Law are here to give you and your family the attention you need to help you get through this difficult time. We have years of experience in wrongful death cases and liability law to get clients the compensation they need to get their finances back together after the loss of a loved one. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
