Many Americans own motorcycles and enjoy hitting the open road on their bikes. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are increasing, and these accidents often lead to severe or even fatal injuries. If you or someone close to you suffered recent motorcycle accident injuries because of someone’s negligence, you need to contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney is essential to pursue full compensation for your losses, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, mental trauma, and lost income.
Consultations are free, and a motorcycle accident lawyer can advise on the many ways they can help you throughout the legal process.
Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Occur?
Avoiding a motorcycle accident isn’t always possible, even if you are a safe rider. Negligent and distracted drivers can put you at high risk of injury or death every time you mount your bike. Driver error is overwhelmingly the top cause of motorcycle crashes in the US. When drivers text, drink and drive, speed, or are distracted, motorcyclists are especially at risk. Some of the reasons that other drivers cause motorcycle accidents are:
- Left-turn crashes: A common motorcycle crash occurs when the car driver doesn’t see an oncoming motorcycle and turns left in front of them. Driver distraction, inattention, drinking, and poor judgment are frequent culprits in these crashes.
- Lane-change crashes: Motorcycles’ smaller size and profile than cars means it’s harder to see them when drivers change lanes. A motorcyclist can be in the car driver’s blind spot, and the driver might not look carefully enough when making a lane change.
- Rear-end crash: A rear-end crash into a motorcycle can be deadly. Distracted driving, inattention, tailgating, and speeding often cause rear-end motorcycle crashes. Many motorcyclists are rear-ended at red lights and stop signs simply because the oncoming driver didn’t see them.
- Head-on crash: A reckless or distracted car driver can hit a biker from the front if they turn in front of the motorcycle or drift into approaching traffic. A head-on crash is often deadly for the motorcyclist.
- No-contact crash: A negligent car driver may cause a motorcycle crash without hitting the bike. For example, if a driver forces the biker to react suddenly, such as slowing quickly or jerking the bike in an evasive action, the car driver can be liable for the crash even if the vehicles didn’t strike each other.
There also are other causes of motorcycle accidents other than driver error. The most common are motorcycle defects and unsafe and poorly designed roads. A road with dangers, such as loose gravel or potholes, can lead to a one-vehicle accident for a motorcycle. Obtaining compensation in such a case will require your attorney to prove that the local government should have repaired the road flaw before the accident. Defective or malfunctioning motorcycle parts, such as bad brake parts, can trigger a product liability lawsuit against the vehicle or parts manufacturer.
5 Reasons To High A Motorcycle Crash Attorney Now
There are many reasons that you should retain a motorcycle crash lawyer immediately after an accident caused by another driver:
Motorcycle Crashes Are More Serious And Involve Terrible Injuries
Motorcycle crash victims seldom leave the accident scene unscathed, and bikers are 24 times more likely as car occupants to be killed in a crash per mile traveled. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states there were 5,932 deadly motorcycle crashes in one recent year alone. It concluded that the death rate for every 100,000 registered bikers was 61 percent.
These statistics reveal that motorcycle accidents are frequently severe and deadly. A motorcycle accident attorney must always represent you when a crash involves severe injuries and damages. Your attorney knows how to fight for the most money and how to value your claim.
Building A Strong Legal Case Isn’t Easy
Imagine riding your motorcycle on a two-lane highway, and a car suddenly turns left in front of you without signaling. The driver may not have seen you, but whatever the reason, they are almost certainly at fault.
You may think after the crash that proving the driver caused the crash and injured you will be easy. Not necessarily. After the chaos of a motorcycle crash with injuries, you may not have all of the evidence you need to prove fault. Maybe you didn’t take photos and videos, which is understandable if you suffered an injury. Perhaps there are no witnesses to the crash. Maybe the other driver says you caused the accident.
The at-fault party’s insurance company will always attempt to minimize their financial exposure and may even blame you for the accident. Your motorcycle wreck lawyer will collect all necessary evidence to prove who was at fault. The attorney can gather evidence that can be difficult on your own, such as the at-fault driver’s cell phone records.
The Insurance Company Will Try To Evade Responsibility
Whether their client was at fault or not, the insurance company will try to avoid paying a claim if they can. Insurance companies exist to make money for their owners and shareholders, nothing more. A motorcycle accident attorney in your area knows every trick and scheme the insurance company will pull. They know how to effectively rebut claims and efforts to reduce what you are paid.
Medical Bills for Motorcycle Crashes Are Often High
Motorcycle crashes are almost always bad news for riders because they are not protected by a 4,000-pound vehicle from the forces of the wreck. There may be much higher medical expenses after many motorcycle accidents.
If another motorist strikes you on your motorcycle, some of the severe injuries you can suffer are:
- Head trauma or severe brain injury
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Internal organ damage or bleeding
- Compound bone fractures
- Severe road rash
- Burns
- Broken ribs
- Face and eye injuries
- Shattered joints
Many motorcyclists are faced with months or years of recovery after a crash, and many are permanently disabled. A motorcycle accident attorney will accurately assess what your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering are from the crash and hold the at-fault party accountable. Other possible losses in the crash your attorney may account for include property damage, transportation costs, and mental trauma. The attorney will fight for the most money for any future medical expenses you have, such as surgeries, rehabilitation, and more.
Experienced Court Representation
A motorcycle crash attorney will seek a fair settlement for your injuries. But sometimes, the at-fault party or insurance company digs in its heels and won’t pay you what you deserve. An experienced personal injury attorney can take the case to court with a personal injury lawsuit if all else fails.
Your attorney will know the local courts and state laws and can provide solid advice when deciding whether to settle or sue. Pay attention to what your lawyer says about settling or going to court; their experience will tell them if your best path is to take the settlement offered or risk a trial.
Having a skilled lawyer at your side means you don’t need to worry about making errors in court or leaving out critical facts when dickering with the insurance company regarding compensation. Your lawyer will also assemble any legal documents you need to file your claim. The attorney also can present the most convincing case to the jury so you have the best chance of a favorable verdict.
Stress Relief
Imagine being severely injured in a motorcycle crash and being laid up in the hospital for six weeks. Can you imagine having to haggle with insurance companies and attorneys when you are in great pain and stressed? A motorcycle accident attorney will immediately lift this unthinkable burden from your overwhelmed shoulders. You can focus on your recovery, and your lawyer will concentrate on proving fault and getting you the most compensation.
Do You Have A Motorcycle Crash Lawsuit?
Being injured in a motorcycle accident doesn’t necessarily mean that you can receive payment in a lawsuit. Obtaining compensation for your losses in a motorcycle accident means proving that another party caused the crash. This requires showing that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, breached their duty, caused the crash, and you suffered damages as a result. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will prove these elements with critical crash evidence, such as:
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction experts
- Crash re-creation
- Eyewitness testimonies
- Photos and videos of the crash scene
- Surveillance video, if available
Collaborating with an experienced attorney on your claim increases the odds of getting compensation from the liable party. This person might be a car driver who was texting and driving, not yielding the right of way, speeding, or falling asleep while driving.
The first step in deciding whether you have a valid claim is to consult an experienced motorcycle crash attorney. They can review your case at no charge to determine if another party’s negligence may have caused your injuries and other damages.
Should You Speak To The Other Driver’s Insurance Company After A Motorcycle Crash?
Motorcycle crashes are usually serious, with a lot of injuries and damages. Assuming another driver hit you, don’t be surprised if you receive a telephone call from their insurance company. The insurance firm may even call you when you’re in the hospital on the same day as the accident!
The insurance company will almost certainly ask how you feel and how you are doing after the accident. Remember, the insurance representative isn’t your friend. They don’t care about your injuries or your rights. Their only interest is to reduce what you are paid in a claim. Ideally, they can get you to state something on the record that ruins the claim, such as you were at fault, even if you weren’t.
After seeking medical attention and talking to your insurance company, the next step after a motorcycle crash should be to talk to a motorcycle accident attorney. If the insurance company calls you, politely refuse to speak to them and refer them to your personal injury attorney. Your attorney knows what to say and not say to an insurance company and how to negotiate.
Furthermore, watch out for the insurance company trying to give you a check for your medical expenses after a crash. It might offer to ‘pay your medical bills’ after a serious accident. A non-attorney might think this sounds like a good deal. However, you should always call a lawyer before accepting an early settlement offer.
The insurance company knows that you probably don’t know your full injuries and medical needs. Nor do you know how long you will be out of work or your potential degree of pain and suffering. The insurer can save a ton of money by getting you to agree to a quick and early settlement, but don’t let that happen!
What If You Weren’t Wearing A Helmet?
Some states have motorcycle helmet laws, and some do not. What if you didn’t wear a helmet and suffered an injury in a crash? Not wearing a helmet doesn’t prevent you from receiving fair compensation in a claim or lawsuit. The insurance company may attempt to argue you were partially at fault for your injuries, but a motorcycle accident attorney knows how to refute that claim. Bottom line, you can still receive fair compensation for your crash injuries, regardless of whether a helmet was worn.
Speak To A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Did you get hit by a car on your motorcycle? You probably have severe injuries and a pile of medical bills that grows by the day. Why should you pay out of pocket for your medical bills and lost earnings if someone hit you? You can sue the at-fault party for your losses, so speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer today for a free consultation.
Motorcycle crash attorneys do not charge for the initial consultation and are compensated by a contingency agreement. You only pay the attorney if you win your case through a settlement or jury verdict. If you don’t win, you don’t pay, so call a personal injury lawyer in your area now.
For years, Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos has been fighting for the rights of our clients, recovering millions of dollars for accident victims and their families. We understand the complexities of your case and are here to guide you through every step.
