Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Torrance

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Torrance, California?

  The Torrance Police Department's non-emergency phone numbers are (310) 328-3456 and (310) 618-5641.

• Where can you get a copy of the police report for the accident in Torrance, California?

  You can obtain a copy of your police report by going to the Records Division in the main lobby of the Torrance Police Department at 3300 Civic Center Drive. You are encouraged to phone them first at (310) 618-5529 to check if the report is available. For $16, you can access your police report online by clicking the following link: https://buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com/ui/home

• Can you wait for a while before suing a negligent government entity in Torrance, California, for causing a motorcycle accident?

  The statute of limitations in California for motorcycle accidents is two years. However, if the claim is against a government entity or agency, the time period is drastically shortened to just six months. This is called an administrative claim and must be filed using the government's form. They then have 45 days to respond to you. If your claim gets rejected within 45 days, you can now take your case to court. The statute of limitations will now start to run from the date the denial was mailed to you. In the event that you do not hear back from them or receive a rejection letter, the usual two-year statute applies, though it would be unwise to count on having two years to accomplish this.

• What if somebody who doesn't speak fluent English was ordered by a judge to attend a driving program/course in Torrance, California, after a motorcycle accident?

  You are encouraged to speak up and tell the judge about this in order for them to find a way for the program to be useful to you. Ask for the form called “LA-400 Service Not Available in My Language: Request to Change Court Order.” Once provided, all you have to do is fill out the questions asking about:

  1. Your name and the languages that you speak
  2. Your contact information
  3. Information about the court order from the judge

  You will then have to choose between asking the court to change your order or asking the court for more time to participate in the program. This is usually done when language assistance is available. If you know the exact date, you will be asked to provide this. Submit this form to the clerk of your court and keep a copy.

• Can you still sue the government of Torrance for a motorcycle accident if you've already missed the six-month deadline?

  There may still be a chance with the California Court of Appeals by petitioning the court for relief from section 945.4. Of course, this depends on the circumstances that led to you missing the time window, but there have been instances when denials of petition have been reversed. Again, this must be filed within six months from the date of the court rejecting your “Application to Present a Late Claim.”

• Can an injured motorcyclist still sue the other negligent driver for an accident in Torrance, even though their vehicles didn't collide?

  This is called a “no-contact” crash which happens mostly, ironically enough, because of the motorcyclist swerving to avoid crashing into something. And yes, you can still sue the other driver if it were proven that their negligence caused you to crash. For cases like this, the importance of hiring an attorney can't be understated as they would know how to establish that the other party is at fault, especially if the accident left you with serious injuries.

• Should recorded statements be given immediately after a motorcycle accident in Torrance, California?

  Insurance carriers ask for recorded statements to better understand what happened. Most of the time, all that is needed from you is your basic biographical information, such as your name and age. Beware of giving anything more than this, as whatever information you provide may be used against you. If, for example, you were asked if you were fine, and you responded with “yes,” then this may be used as justification that you don't need too much compensation. Additionally, you shouldn't be answering questions about your well-being after an accident if you haven't yet seen an attorney, especially a doctor, as some injuries take some time to develop signs and symptoms.