Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles put riders in a vulnerable position. Because they lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, they are more likely to be hurt or killed during a crash. Unfortunately, campaigns urging drivers to share the road haven’t been enough to eliminate motorcycle accidents.

Whether your family has suffered a death or you’re coping with a severe injury, you may be entitled to compensation. At Huber Thomas Law, our motorcycle accident lawyers have helped clients recover millions of dollars in damages. Here’s what you should know if you’re dealing with the aftermath of a life-changing accident.

The Insurance Information Institute found per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, fatalities were 25 times more likely to occur in a motorcycle crash than a car crash.

In 2019, there were more than 5,000 motorcyclist fatalities. While there has been some fluctuation, the numbers have remained fairly consistent over the last decade.

Further, there were 84,000 injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents in 2019. These catastrophic crashes can have devastating results. One of the most commonly seen injuries is traumatic brain injuries, which can lead to life-long costs related to:

• Surgeries
• Rehabilitation
• Long-term medical support
• Specialized medical equipment
• Loss of income

If you’re suffering from injuries after a motorcycle accident, you need a reputable attorney on your side. This will ensure you have the compensation you need to cover these costs for years to come.

Statistics show motorcycle riders aren’t at fault for most of the crashes they’re involved in. Because they undergo extensive training, they’re aware of the risks present on the road. Unfortunately, drivers of traditional passenger cars commonly violate the right-of-way motorcyclists have.

The main causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Cars making left-hand turns in front of motorcyclists
• Cars changing lanes without detecting a motorcycle nearby
• Head-on collisions
• Tight corners at high rates of speed
• Hazardous road conditions due to weather, construction, or pavement issues
• Motorcycle lane splitting during times of high traffic
• Reckless driving and speeding
• Alcohol or drug use leading to impairment
• Distracted driving due to cell phone use

When it comes to understanding the cause of an accident, reconstruction is essential. At Huber Thomas Law, our motorcycle accident attorneys work with experts to get a clear view of the crash scene. This is the only way to ensure an independent and fair investigation that produces credible evidence for our clients. Whether it’s a clear-cut accident or one with many contributing factors, our team will reconstruct the scene for a judge or jury.

It’s no secret that motorcyclists love the feeling of riding in the open air. That’s what makes this hobby so appealing. Unfortunately, it provides much less protection than a traditional vehicle. Not only are motorcycles lighter and less sturdy, they leave riders open to a range of injuries. For those who ride without a helmet, the risks are even greater.

Road rash, sprains, and fractures may occur in minor accidents. In more serious cases, injuries may be fatal or life-altering. Some of the most common types of injuries from motorcycle accidents include:

• Whiplash
• Concussion
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Loss of limbs
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Serious burns

The cost of immediate medical transportation and care after an accident can quickly add up. Plus, motorcycle accidents often lead to lifelong injuries that require ongoing treatment. This is why it’s so important to seek the compensation you deserve if someone else was at fault in the incident.

Accidents on the road can happen in the blink of an eye, which is why people often feel shocked and shaken up. A motorcycle accident is no different, in fact, they are among some of the most gruesome scenes.

First and foremost, try to stay calm. Then, follow these important steps to protect your health, safety, and financial well-being.

Assess the situation and call for help

Once you’re in a safe place away from traffic (an adjacent parking lot or at least the shoulder of the road), it’s time to call for help. If you or any other parties are injured, call 911 and ask for an ambulance. Even if no one appears to be hurt, you should call the police. This is how you get an official accident report for your insurance company and/or attorney, if necessary.

Gather personal information

It’s essential to quickly gather important details about the other parties involved in any accident. No matter how much or how little damage there is, ask for the following information:

• Full name
• Contact information
• License plate number
• Driver’s license number (try to take a photo if possible)
• Auto insurance details

If there are people nearby who saw the crash happen, gather their information as possible witnesses. Ask them for a statement and record it using your phone. Witnesses will be an important part of your case if you hire motorcycle accident attorneys.

Take photos of the scene

If you have time before the police arrive on the scene, take photos of the scene. Include close-up images, as well as views of the entire scene. This will provide context for your legal team as they try to reconstruct the crash site.

Be sure to take photos of motorcycle damage and any skid marks on the road.

Inform your insurance company

After you leave the scene, it’s time to inform your insurance company. Simply call and tell them you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident. There is no need to provide extensive details, as your motorcycle lawyer can do this later.

It’s also important to note you should not speak with the other party’s insurance company at this point.

Seek medical advice

At first look, it may appear that you don’t have any injuries, but this is a bad assumption to make. It’s important to visit a doctor for a check-up to ensure you aren’t suffering from any invisible injuries that will cause pain later. Your thorough evaluation should include tests, X-rays, and subsequent doctor’s visits.

In the event that you do need treatment or surgery, medical bills add up quickly. Keep all of these records in a file for safekeeping. This is an important paper trail to maintain for any potential legal case regarding your accident.

Contact a motorcycle accident attorney

Last, but certainly not least, find a motorcycle accident attorney to take on your case. These incidents can be incredibly stressful, especially if you’re coping with injuries and damage that left you without a method of transportation.

How do you know if you should hire a lawyer? These three situations warrant a consultation:

• You or another rider on your motorcycle was injured
• Another party in the accident was injured or killed
• There is significant property damage

In short, this is one of the most important decisions you make in the aftermath of an accident. Your motorcycle accident lawyers can help you bring a strong claim against the other party to secure the compensation you need for medical bills and more.

Lawsuits often require a lot of time and money. This is why so many cases end up settling outside of court. While we acknowledge this, our motorcycle accident attorneys still prepare for every case as if it’s going before a judge or jury. We research, interview witnesses, and use technology to recreate and analyze accident conditions. This dedication to preparation gives us an advantage when it comes time to negotiate.

Further, when you partner with Huber Thomas Law, you gain the benefit of an entire team. While you will certainly have a specific attorney assigned to your case, all of us weigh in and work together. This collaborative approach gives our clients decades of combined experience and expertise.

Our case victories

When it comes to winning cases regarding motorcycle accidents, preparation is critical. With proven success in the courtroom, our legal team will take your case seriously from day one. Because we work together, we bring extensive experience to the negotiating table, and when necessary, to the courtroom.

Just take a look at some of our case victories:

• $1 million for a bicyclist struck from behind by a suspected distracted driver
• $2.3 million after a woman was injured by an airport shuttle van that moved while she was still boarding
• A $1.6 million jury verdict for a client who underwent back surgery after a serious car accident

When it comes to motorcycle accidents, you shouldn’t face your case alone. Expert help will increase the likelihood of fair compensation to cover long-term costs.

At Huber Thomas Law, we’re proud to be tireless advocates for our clients. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you navigate insurance claims, hospital bills, and much more. We clearly explain every step of the process, so you always have the information you need about your case.

We have helped bring hundreds of cases to trial, resulting in millions of dollars awarded to our clients. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation regarding your case.