Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in San Bernardino

Even if they wear appropriate safety gear, follow every rule of the road, and ride responsibly, motorcycle riders are still at a very high risk of suffering life-altering harm due to the negligence of another driver. Tragically, a much higher percentage of motorcycle wrecks end up causing fatal injuries compared to crashes involving enclosed motor vehicles. This often leads to family members of motorcycle crash victims being in the difficult position of suing in their loved one’s name for harm stemming from the accident.

If your family is going through this experience, you understand that lawsuits over fatal motorcycle accidents in San Bernardino are not endeavors to face on your own. By working with a capable and compassionate motorcycle injury attorney, you can ensure your legal proceedings go as smoothly as possible while also fully preserving your and your family’s well-being. Call Valero Law Group to learn how we can help you move forward.

What Losses Are Recoverable After a Fatal Motorcycle Crash?

Money alone cannot make up for a close family member’s life being unjustly cut short, and the goal of filing suit over a fatal bike crash in San Bernardino is not an attempt to do that. Instead, this type of lawsuit helps to minimize the long-term financial and emotional harm that a deceased person’s family members will experience by reimbursing them for specific losses they can trace directly to that tragedy.

Compensable damages can include the following:

• Funeral, burial, or estate administration expenses paid on the decedent’s behalf
• Medical bills paid on the decedent’s behalf for injury-related treatment they received before passing away
• Lost future financial support the decedent would have provided, potentially including the lost future value of an inheritance
• Lost household services and assistance
• Lost love, companionship, guidance, and advice
• Loss of consortium with a spouse

It may also be possible to seek compensation for physical pain and suffering that a decedent experienced between the accident and their untimely death. Valero Law Group can explain potential compensation in more detail during an initial meeting.

Establishing Valid Grounds for a Motorcycle Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In San Bernardino, it is possible to sue over a deadly motorcycle crash in which the deceased person would have had standing to file suit themselves had they survived their injuries. Therefore, successfully filing suit for a wrongful death from a motorcycle accident requires proving that the accident, and the person’s untimely death, likely would not have happened without a specific reckless or careless act by the defendant(s).

However, there is an order set by California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60 for which family members of a deceased person can file a claim of this nature, with the decedent’s surviving spouse or domestic partner and children getting first priority. State law also sets a filing deadline of two years after the date of death for this type of claim to begin, with virtually no exceptions.

Call a San Bernardino Attorney for Help After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident

No one deserves to lose their life because of another person’s irresponsible actions. Nevertheless, this scenario occurs on California’s roads every day. It often involves a motorcyclist suffering fatal harm because another motorist broke a traffic law, drove while distracted, or failed to give the biker the appropriate space and respect.

Support from qualified legal counsel can be essential to pursuing civil recovery from fatal motorcycle accidents in San Bernardino and relieving some of the stress on family members. Call Valero Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss your legal options.