Hurt in a Motorcycle Crash? Talk With Colvin Accident Lawyers

Arvin Motorcycle Accident Lawyers: Spinal Injury Claims

Riders and families searching for Arvin motorcycle accident lawyers usually want two answers: can a claim be made, and what can it include? In California, a rider or family member may have a claim when another party’s carelessness caused the crash. This page explains spinal cord injury and wrongful death claims, how fault and deadlines work, and what to expect next. Colvin Accident Lawyers serves riders in Arvin and across Kern County from its Bakersfield office.

What Does a Spinal Cord Injury Claim After a Motorcycle Crash Cover?

A spinal cord injury claim after a motorcycle crash seeks compensation from the party responsible for the crash. It is a civil injury matter, not a criminal case. The claim may target an at-fault driver, a vehicle owner, or another responsible party.

Riders and passengers can bring these claims. When a rider dies, certain family members can bring a wrongful death claim. California’s wrongful death law, section 377.60, lists who may sue, including a surviving spouse, domestic partner, and children (California wrongful death law).

Doctors describe spinal injuries by the level of the spinal cord affected. Cervical nerves (C1 to C7) signal the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and diaphragm. Injuries between C1 and C4 can stop breathing, so medical care is urgent (NINDS spinal cord overview). Doctors, not lawyers, diagnose and classify these injuries. Crashes can also cause traumatic brain injury, so a rider may have more than one injury.

The firm also handles car, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, bus, dog bite, premises liability, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death matters. This page focuses on motorcycle and catastrophic injury claims for riders in Kern County, including Arvin, Bakersfield, Delano, and Tehachapi.

What Crash Causes Matter for Liability in California?

Liability turns on who failed to use reasonable care. The facts of each crash decide that question. Common causes in motorcycle claims include:

• A driver turning left in front of a rider.
• A driver who fails to yield or check mirrors.
• A driver following too closely.
• A road hazard or unsafe road condition.
• A vehicle defect.

California’s following-too-closely rule says a driver shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent (Vehicle Code section 21703). Under the general rule, everyone is responsible for injuries caused by want of ordinary care (Civil Code section 1714).

Did the other party owe a duty? Did they break it? Did that break cause the crash? Did the rider suffer harm?

Evidence answers those questions. It includes police reports, traffic camera or dashcam footage when available, vehicle damage patterns, and witness statements. An insurer’s early fault accusation is not the final word.

What Damages Can a Catastrophic Injury Claim Include?

A claim can seek compensation for the harm the crash caused. For the breach of an obligation not arising from contract, California measures damages as the amount that compensates for all the detriment proximately caused by the wrongful act, except where otherwise expressly provided by the Civil Code (Civil Code section 3333). The law separates economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost earnings, from non-economic losses, such as pain, emotional distress, and loss of companionship (Civil Code section 1431.2).

Claims in catastrophic injury cases may include:

• Past and future medical care, such as emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, medications, and follow-up visits with other doctors.
• Lost earnings and reduced earning capacity, including whether the rider can return to the same work.
• Non-economic harm, such as pain, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.
• For wrongful death, funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.

Future needs are estimated case by case. Medical providers and economic analysts often help with that work.

How Do California Fault and Filing Deadlines Work?

Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1).

Insurers often argue fault to lower offers. California Insurance Code section 790.03, subdivision (h), lists “Misleading a claimant as to the applicable statute of limitations” among unfair claims settlement practices, which are covered when “knowingly committing or performing with such frequency as to indicate a general business practice” (Insurance Code section 790.03).

Section 335.1 of the Code of Civil Procedure sets a two-year limit for injury and death actions (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). Deadlines for filing an injury lawsuit depend on the facts of each case, so it is important to act promptly.

A crash tied to a road defect follows a shorter path. A claim against a public entity for death, injury to a person, or injury to personal property or growing crops generally must be presented not later than six months after the accrual of the cause of action; other claims generally must be presented not later than one year after accrual (Government Code section 911.2).

What Are the Steps in a Catastrophic Injury Claim?

A claim usually moves through review, records, damages work, negotiation, and, when needed, a lawsuit. Timing depends on the rider’s medical condition.

1. First review. Start with a free first consultation. It is confidential and carries no obligation to continue. The firm gathers crash facts, injury details, and insurance information.
2. Investigation and records. The firm collects police reports, medical records, and liability evidence.
3. Damages documentation. Medical providers document current and future needs.
4. Demand and negotiation. The claim goes to the insurer. If needed, a lawsuit is filed to protect the claim before the deadline.
5. Resolution. The case ends in settlement or trial. The client decides whether to accept any offer.

Ask how fees and costs work, including whether costs are owed if there is no recovery. A contingency fee contract must be in writing, signed by attorney and client. It must state the fee rate and how costs affect the fee and recovery (Business and Professions Code section 6147).

Why Do Riders and Families Work With Colvin Accident Lawyers?

Colvin Accident Lawyers is a personal injury firm based in Bakersfield, California. Donald Norman Colvin is the responsible lawyer for this page.

• A Bakersfield office serving Kern County, including riders from Arvin, Delano, and Tehachapi.
• Practice areas that include motorcycle, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death claims.
• A team with assistants and office staff who help families organize records and appointments.
• Confidential consultations by phone or through the contact form.
• The chance to ask about the firm’s experience directly during your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arvin Motorcycle Accident Claims

Talk With Colvin About Your Rider’s Injury

If your rider cannot move their arms or legs after a crash, you do not have to work through the options alone. Our team can explain the next steps and deadlines in plain language. Call Colvin Accident Lawyers or use the contact form to start the conversation.

Colvin Accident Lawyers, Bakersfield, California — responsible for this site. Responsible lawyer: Donald Norman Colvin.