Don't sign without carefully reviewing all of the terms, including release of claims, non-disparagement clauses, and confidentiality provisions. You usually have the right to consult with an attorney who can negotiate better terms on your behalf.
Injured? We Fight for What You Deserve
There's nothing quite like the freedom of riding a motorcycle, but that freedom comes with risks that drivers in enclosed vehicles simply don't face. When a car makes a left turn in front of you or merges into your lane without checking its mirrors, the results can be catastrophic. At My Lawyer Manwel, we've represented countless riders who were following every rule of the road and still ended up seriously injured because a driver wasn't paying attention. Motorcycle accidents can lead to serious injuries, and unfortunately, bias against motorcyclists can make getting fair compensation an uphill battle. If you're looking for a motorcycle accident attorney in Los Angeles, read more to find out how to protect your rights after a crash and what it takes to build a winning case when you're up against a system that doesn't always give bikers a fair shake.
The physics of a motorcycle collision work against riders in every possible way. You've got maybe 500 pounds of metal between you and whatever you hit, compared to the 4,000-plus pounds of steel, airbags, and crumple zones that protect someone in a sedan. When impact happens, riders get thrown from their bikes at whatever speed they were traveling, and the human body isn't designed to absorb that kind of force. We see traumatic brain injuries even when riders wear helmets, because the sudden deceleration causes the brain to collide with the inside of the skull. Spinal cord damage is another devastating outcome that can leave riders paralyzed from the waist down or even worse. Road rash might sound minor to someone who has never gone through it, but severe cases require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring. Broken bones are almost guaranteed. Not usually clean breaks that heal in six weeks, either. Compound fractures, shattered pelvises, and crushed limbs happen regularly when a vehicle collides with an exposed rider. The medical bills pile up fast, and many of our clients need months or even years of rehabilitation just to regain basic functions they took for granted before the accident.
From day one, you're fighting against assumptions that jurors, insurance adjusters, and judges already have about motorcyclists. People picture a reckless biker weaving through traffic at dangerous speeds, and that image sticks even though most crashes happen when a driver violates a rider's right of way. Insurance companies know this bias exists, and they exploit it aggressively. They'll go through your social media looking for any photos of you on your bike, anything they can use to make you look like a thrill seeker who brought this on yourself. They'll question whether you were speeding even when the evidence clearly shows you weren't. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles who understands this will prepare your case with these tactics in mind. At My Lawyer Manwel, we counter bias with overwhelming evidence. We gather witness statements, traffic camera footage, and cell phone records that prove the other driver was distracted or negligent. We present our clients as the responsible riders they are, not the caricature that insurance defense attorneys try to create. This preparation makes a big difference between a lowball settlement and the compensation you deserve.
Your actions in the minutes and hours after a crash can make or break your case, so you need to know what to do even when your adrenaline is pumping and your body is screaming at you. Call 911 and insist on a police report, because it becomes critical evidence later. If you can move without making your injuries worse, use your phone to take pictures of everything. Get wide shots of the entire scene, close-ups of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and debris on the road. Exchange information with the other driver, but keep the conversation minimal. Don't apologize or admit any fault, because even a polite "I'm sorry this happened" can be twisted into an admission of liability. Get contact information from any witnesses before they leave. Go to the emergency room even if you think your injuries are minor, because internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries don't always show symptoms right away, and delaying treatment gives insurers an excuse to claim your injuries weren't that serious. Save everything from your clothing to your damaged helmet. Call a motorcycle crash attorney in Los Angeles before you speak with any insurance company, including your own. Adjusters will call you within days, sounding sympathetic and helpful, but their job is to minimize what they pay you. Let your attorney handle those conversations.
Insurance companies have armies of adjusters and lawyers whose entire purpose is to pay you as little as possible. They know that injured riders facing mounting medical bills and lost wages are under tremendous pressure to accept whatever they're offered. That first settlement offer will almost certainly be a fraction of what your case is worth, and they're counting on you being desperate enough to take it. A motorcycle injury lawyer in Los Angeles will calculate the value of your claim, including future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and the long-term impact on your quality of life. We don't let insurers set the terms of negotiation. When we take your case, the insurance company knows we're prepared to go to trial if they don't make a fair offer. You didn't cause this accident, and you shouldn't have to accept less than you deserve because an insurance company is betting you can't afford to wait them out.
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, don't try to handle the claims process alone. Contact My Lawyer Manwel for a consultation and let us review your case. A motorcycle accident attorney in Los Angeles will have the experience, resources, and determination to fight for every dollar you're owed. Riders trust us because we get results.
At My Lawyer Manwel, we fight for your rights in personal injury and employment law. See what our clients say about working with us.
I contacted My Lawyer Manwel for help with an employment dispute, and I’m very pleased with the service I received. He was knowledgeable, honest, and supportive throughout the entire process. Manwel kept me informed and handled negotiations with confidence and professionalism. He made a difficult situation much easier to manage and achieved a positive resolution. I would not hesitate to recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing experienced and reliable legal representation.
My Lawyer Manwel was incredibly helpful during my personal injury case. After my accident, I felt stressed and unsure of what to expect. Manwel explained everything in simple terms and was always available to answer my questions. He handled the legal details with professionalism and care, allowing me to focus on recovery. The settlement he secured helped cover my medical expenses and eased my financial worries. I truly appreciate his dedication and highly recommend his services.
I had a great experience working with My Lawyer Manwel on an employment law matter. He listened carefully to my concerns and provided clear, honest advice. Manwel was always responsive and made sure I understood every step of the process. He handled my case professionally and worked hard to protect my rights. The outcome was fair and allowed me to move forward with confidence. I’m very grateful for his help and would recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone facing workplace legal issues.
My Lawyer Manwel provided excellent support during my personal injury case. From the beginning, he was professional, patient, and very knowledgeable. He took the time to explain my rights and the legal process clearly, which made me feel confident and informed. Manwel handled all communication with the insurance company and kept me updated throughout the case. His dedication and attention to detail truly stood out. Thanks to his hard work, my case had a positive outcome. I highly recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing a trustworthy personal injury attorney.
Don't sign without carefully reviewing all of the terms, including release of claims, non-disparagement clauses, and confidentiality provisions. You usually have the right to consult with an attorney who can negotiate better terms on your behalf.
Enforceability varies dramatically by state, with some banning them entirely and others enforcing them when reasonable in scope and duration. Recent legal trends have moved toward limiting these agreements. Having an attorney review your specific agreement is essential.
Most discrimination claims must first be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or your state's equivalent agency before pursuing a lawsuit. Strict deadlines apply, often within one hundred eighty to three hundred days of the discriminatory act.
Misclassification occurs when employers label workers as contractors to avoid providing benefits owed to employees. The determination depends on factors like company control over your work, schedule flexibility, and who provides tools and equipment.
Numerous federal and state laws protect employees who report illegal activity, safety violations, or fraud from employer retaliation. Whistleblowers may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay, and other remedies if they face adverse employment actions.
Generally speaking, employers have some flexibility to modify duties and compensation, but they can't make any changes that violate contracts, discriminate, or constitute retaliation. Sudden changes following a complaint or protected activity may raise legal concerns.
A hostile work environment exists when unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic is pervasive or severe enough to create an intimidating or abusive workplace. This goes beyond occasional rudeness and must materially affect your ability to do your job.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the majority of employees working more than forty hours per week must receive overtime pay at one and a half times their regular rate. However, certain exemptions apply based on salary level and job duties, which employers sometimes misapply.
Wrongful termination happens if an employee is fired in a way that violates federal or state laws, employment contracts, or public policy. Examples include being fired due to discrimination, retaliation for whistleblowing, or refusing to engage in illegal activities.
Federal and state law prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who report illegal conduct or file discrimination complaints. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, or creating a hostile environment. If you experience retaliation, you may have an additional legal claim.
Document every incident in detail. That includes dates, times, witnesses, and what occurred. Report the harassment through your company's internal complaint process and keep copies of all communications. If internal channels don't resolve the issue, consulting with an attorney is an important next step.
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats someone unfavorably because of a protected characteristic like race, gender, age, religion, disability, or national origin. This can include hiring and firing decisions, promotions, pay, job assignments, and harassment.
If your health insurance paid for any treatment that's related to your injury, they may have a right to reimbursement from any settlement through a process called subrogation. Your attorney can often negotiate these liens down to maximize what you keep.
A settlement is an agreement that is reached outside of the court, where the at-fault party agrees to pay compensation in exchange for releasing liability. A verdict is a decision that's made by a judge or jury after a trial determines the outcome.
While you can represent yourself, insurance companies often take advantage of unrepresented claimants with lowball settlements. Studies show that injured individuals who hire attorneys recover significantly more compensation even after paying legal fees.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case, the severity of injuries, and whether it settles or goes to trial. Simpler cases may resolve in a few months, while complex litigation can take several years.
You may still have options, including your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if the incident involved a vehicle. An experienced attorney can identify all of the potential sources of compensation available to you.
Fault is normally established by examining evidence like police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. Your attorney will investigate the circumstances to build a compelling case. In some states, you may still recover damages even if you were partially at fault.
First, get medical attention even if you feel okay, as some injuries don't show symptoms right away. Document everything, including photos of the scene and witness contact information, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before talking to an attorney.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Victims can recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain, and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoer.
Every state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, typically ranging from one to four years depending on where you live. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation, so consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
A personal injury case is when someone suffers harm because another party was negligent, reckless, or engaged in intentional misconduct. A few examples include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries. If someone else's actions led to your injury, you may have grounds for a claim.