Motorcyclists in Bakersfield are put in constant danger by reckless drivers. A single mistake can cause an accident and cause life-threatening injuries for a rider. Families who lose a loved one in a tragic motorcycle accident can receive support for the path forward.
Demanding support for families after a tragedy is an important mission that Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield is proud to take on. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation for all family members in Kern County. It’s a chance to find out how to hold insurers fully responsible and get the most to protect the family’s future.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Losing a Loved One in a Motorcycle Accident?
Families should be left in peace to focus on remembering a precious loved one after a fatal motorcycle accident. Unfortunately, they can quickly find themselves in debt, especially when a loved one has provided a weekly paycheck to support the family.
A skilled attorney can help families seek justice and secure the most assistance to protect every close relative at such a difficult time.
These are a few of the benefits of having a Bakersfield Wrongful Death Lawyer:
- A wrongful death attorney provides a safeguard when a car insurance company tries to shift blame in an accident or attempts to downplay the devastating effect a fatal motorcycle accident has had on the family.
- A wrongful death attorney maximizes the support families receive to rebuild their lives and the family finances. A skilled attorney often secures the family much more than they could by handling a wrongful death claim themselves. A lawyer handles the frustrating claims process with insurers so the family can focus on grieving a lost loved one.
Your attorney fully investigates the accident and has the evidence ready to make sure the facts of what happened don’t change. We never want to see insurance companies get away with making false accusations against your loved ones.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?
In California, the right to file a claim falls to those left behind who can show that they were financially dependent on the deceased.
The first opportunity to file would usually go to a spouse of the rider or the adult children, adopted children, or stepchildren. These individuals would normally file a claim on behalf of the rest of the family. An executor or personal representative named in a will would also be in line to file on behalf of the victim’s estate.
If the fallen motorcyclist didn’t have a spouse or any living children left, the grandchildren could be allowed to file.
The parents of the victim may be able to file a claim if the victim had no other dependents.
A wrongful death lawyer could also represent the entire family and file the claim with as little disruption to close relatives as possible. A lawyer can represent everyone involved or just one person to see that fair support is earned after a tragedy.
Deadly Motorcycle Accident Dangers in Bakersfield
Bakersfield is a staging point for motorcyclists looking to enjoy a ride up to Lake Isabella or Sequoia National Forest. Other riders enjoy their rides to work in the open air on Highway 99 or along Truxtun Avenue.
Unfortunately, every route comes with its share of drivers who don’t look out for motorcyclists. They turn without seeing the rider coming directly at them. They switch lanes without checking a single mirror. These small errors in judgment lead to devastating accidents each year.
According to California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), Kern County recorded 16 fatal motorcycle accident victims in 2024. That figure was down slightly from 2023, when there were at least 25 lives lost in motorcycle accidents.
Each number represents more than a shocking statistic. They represent real lives taken, in many cases, by a driver’s mistake. The figures represent families who receive the news of a tragedy. They represent the people who must live their lives without the care and guidance of a precious loved one taken too soon.
Support for Grieving Families After a Fatal Bakersfield Motorcycle Accident
Families can find themselves with a stack of bills almost immediately after news of a tragic death arrives. They can face some unstable months ahead, financially speaking. More importantly, they could be on the path to financial trouble in the years ahead.
These concerns must be addressed in a motorcycle wrongful death settlement check. No amount of money can replace a loved one, but families should never be left to struggle due to a driver’s mistake.
These are just a few of the family’s hardships that a Bakersfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer would demand support for:
- The emotional trauma caused to family members and the support to pay for counseling
- The loss of a feeling of security and protection that a fallen rider always provided.
- The precious life events that have been lost. This can include a loved one’s absence at birthdays, weddings, and the birth of children and grandchildren.
- The expense of a funeral service and burial to remember a motorcyclist properly.
- Reimbursement for the income the deceased may have provided monthly for the support of a spouse and children. The totals should include the lost income that won’t be available in future years.
- Compensation for any medical fees built up before the victim’s death. This can include ambulance fees and hospital invoices.
Contact a Fatal Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Serving Families in The Bakersfield Area
Families who lose a loved one to someone’s careless accident can count on a free case review from Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield. There’s no obligation for this informational meeting, and it’s always confidential.
How Will I Pay a Wrongful Death Lawyer? We understand that families coping with a tragic loss of life won’t usually be left in the best financial position. It’s why our wrongful death lawyers work for families on a contingency basis. We don’t ask for anything upfront, and only get paid if we win your case for your loved ones. Then our fee comes out of the settlement that a car insurance company must provide.