There are many questions people have when they have been injured in a motorcycle accident.
Because of the type of vehicle involved, liability issues are important, as are the types of injuries people can suffer from this type of accident. Below we have provided you with answers to some common questions, however, for more detailed information, contact our office.
Motorcycle claims require a skilled handling due to the nature of the types of accidents they are usually involved in. Liability is often disputed, and the auto driver will often try to blame the accident on the motorcyclist, leaving you with a claim that is denied and no one to help you with your medical bills and other losses.
This is a crucial moment in the timeline of your case. Priority one is to seek medical care, of course, especially if your injuries might be subtle or hard to detect. If you are able, however, you also want to collect important information from the scene. This can include anything from the other driver’s information to specific observations about time, place, road conditions, and any obstacles that may have played a role. In the days ahead, you will also want to be assiduous about assembling documentation from other sources, including police reports, medical records, and any correspondence that occurs with insurance carriers.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, it is a good idea to not say anything too specific about the accident. Many times, in the moments following an accident, people say things that may not necessarily be true. A potentially incorrect admission of guilt can severely impact your motorcycle accident claim.
Whenever you are making a statement to the other parties involved in your motorcycle accident, it is a good idea to have a witness, preferably a lawyer, present.
It is estimated that injury or death are the outcome in nearly 80 percent of all motorcycle accidents in the United States. Included in this startling statistic are the nearly 2,000 motorcyclists who die each year as a result of an accident and the staggering 50,000 who are injured in collisions and the like.
Head injury seems to be predominant in almost all motorcycle accidents and is actually the primary cause of death. This is not to say however, that all head injuries incurred by motorcyclists will be fatal. As mentioned previously, the number of those who pass away as a consequence of a motorcycle accident are minute, but tragic nonetheless, when compared to the number who sustain varying degrees of injuries.
Along with many Federal laws governing the wearing of protective gear, such as helmets that meet the terms of the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218, many states can also exercise the option of instituting additional regulations. Hence, it is wise to check with a state authority that would be able to advise you on what needs to be worn in order to operate a motorcycle in that particular state. This will not only protect you from injury but also from the trouble you would undoubtedly bring upon yourself for disobeying the law.
It is also wise to ensure that you exercise caution and obey the law on the roads. Speed limits are imposed for a reason – to protect you and others on the road. However tempting it might seem to thrash your bike when out on the road, you must refrain from doing so. Not only would you be breaking the law by speeding but you could cause injury or death to yourself or another person.
Motorcycles endure a higher risk than most vehicles of being hit by another vehicle. Motorcycles can be difficult to see because of their size, particularly for drivers of larger vehicles such as trucks and buses. There are many other situations that can result in an accident occurring through no fault of your own. After seeking medical assistance and getting the other driver’s insurance details where applicable, you should seek legal assistance, as you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries.
Unfortunately in many cases the motorcyclist is killed as a result of the accident. In cases such as these, a family member may be entitled to claim for wrongful death depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. If you are the family member of someone that passed away as the result of such an accident, you should seek legal assistance from a qualified lawyer as soon as possible, as statues of limitation may apply, which can affect your eligibility to claim.
The more knowledge and expertise your lawyer has with regards to motorcycle accident laws, the higher your chances of getting compensation. A more experienced lawyer within this field will be able to exercise specialist knowledge and skill to ensure that your chances of success are maximized. He or she will aim to get you as much compensation as possible by putting together as solid a lawsuit as possible.
Motorcycle Accidents
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We offer a FREE initial consultation with our CA motorcycle accident attorneys. We offer evening and weekend appointments and can come to your home if you cannot make it to our California office. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
