A motorcycle accident can happen quickly and with little warning. The after effects of being in a crash on your motorcycle can last for the rest of your life. It only takes a brief moment for you or someone you love to get hurt in a serious crash on motorcycle. After the accident, you may not be able to use your arms and legs like you could before the accident. There is even the possibility that you may not be able to work for several weeks or months after you sustain injuries. In some cases, you may not ever be able to return to your previous employer.
You should always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, but even a helmet cannot protect you from severe injuries when it goes up against a car or truck that may hit you when you are out riding. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 200 motorcycle fatalities in 2016. Motorcycle riders often take the blame when the accident is actually the result of another driver’s negligence. If you or someone you love sustains injuries in a motorcycle accident, you and your family will need an attorney to advocate on your behalf and protect your rights.
Common Causes for Ohio Motorcycle Accidents
Any type of moving vehicle can cause an accident and result in injuries to the driver and others. The problem with motorcycles is that there is very little protection for the body of the individual riding, therefore, the injuries are usually severe, if not fatal. There are many causes of accidents involving motorcycles, but some of the most common reasons are:
- Drivers not paying attention. A lot of drivers often claim to not see the motorcycle before the crash. Usually, this means drivers are not paying attention while driving before they hit a motorcyclist.
- Distracted driving. In many cases, drivers are trying to do too much when they are behind the wheel like talking on the cell phone, texting, or eating and not focusing on the road.
- Making left turns. Often drivers hit motorcyclists when they try to make a left turn. The driver does not pay attention to the surrounding area before starting to turn.
- Speeding. Many drivers are traveling too fast to slow down when they approach a motorcyclist. Excessive speed causes severe or fatal accidents.
- Reckless driving. Some people just do not obey the rules of the road. When drivers weave in and out of traffic, tailgate, and change lanes without signaling, an accident with a motorcycle rider can take place.
If you or someone you love sustains injuries in a motorcycle accident, you will need to schedule an appointment with a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you receive compensation for your injuries and property damage. You need someone to fight to protect your rights and make sure you receive the treatment you deserve.
Typical Injuries after Motorcycle Accidents
Some injuries are common after an individual is in an Ohio motorcycle accident. A dedicated motorcycle accident attorney will have a good understanding about the amounts of compensation given for specific types of injuries. After an accident, you should meet with a lawyer to discuss all of your options and compensation possibilities. Some common injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents are:
- Road rash. A condition when a motorcycle rider slides over the pavement and skin scrapes off which occasionally leads to nerve damage.
- Broken bones. Motorcycle riders often experience fractures in the face, legs, arms, and hands due to the body having no coverage on a motorcycle. It can sometimes take months to recuperate from broken bones.
- Traumatic brain injuries. Even if you wear a helmet, you can receive severe head injuries. A concussion can be mild or severe after a motorcycle accident and could be a sign of more serious injuries.
- Spinal cord damage. A motorcycle accident can cause a spinal cord injury that will leave you paralyzed temporarily or permanently.
Insurance Company Offers for Ohio Motorcycle Accidents
Insurance companies are in the business of trying to pay out as little money as possible for any type of accident. In fact, they hire employees that make it their business to deny and low-ball insurance claims on a daily basis. Prior to accepting an offer for payment from an insurance company for your Ohio motorcycle accident, you should take the time to consult with a motorcycle accident attorney in your area to discuss your options. It may seem like a fair accident settlement to you, but a lawyer will be able to help you decide if the offer is fair and will compensate you for any and all damages you receive in an accident. If you jump at the first offer the insurance company makes to you and your family, you may lose out on the possibility of receiving fair compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, and any other pain and suffering.
You have the right to negotiate with the insurance company to request more money than the settlement offer they present. An attorney will be able to negotiate on your behalf to make sure you receive adequate compensation to cover all of your injuries and damages. Insurance companies thrive on intimidation, and they will work hard to try and bully you into taking the first offer. A lawyer will be your best advocate to protect your rights and shield you from intimidation tactics.
Motorcycle Accident Claims in Ohio
Each and every motorcycle accident is unique, and there is no set amount a victim may be able to collect for their injuries and property damage. A motorcycle accident attorney can review the specifics of your case and help you decide a fair and equitable amount to ensure you and your family will be able to survive while you are out of work recuperating from your injuries. Your lawyer will be on your side to ensure you receive the compensation you need to get you back on the road to recovery.
The best way to determine what a motorcycle accident lawyer can do for you and your family is to schedule a consultation to discuss your specific case and put together a plan of action. An attorney will be able to answer any lingering questions you may have about the process of filing a claim for your accident and how you can move forward. It is in your best interest to work with an attorney that has the experience of handling motorcycle accident claims.
Make Sure You Collect All Pertinent Information for Your Ohio Motorcycle Accident
If you are in a motorcycle accident in Ohio, it is important that you gather all relevant information from the other driver, if you are able to after the collision. You need to make sure you collect the other driver’s name, address, vehicle registration information, and insurance information. Do not leave the accident scene without collecting this information or providing it to the other driver. You should also contact the local authorities for the area where the collision took place. The police report will be a good starting point for your motorcycle accident attorney to begin the investigation into the accident.
You will also need to make sure you seek medical attention even if you feel you do not have any injuries. Many injuries do not make an appearance until several days after the accident, and you do not want to jeopardize not being able to file a claim because you did not seek medical treatment. Your attorney will be able to assist you in filing a claim to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost earnings, property damage, as well as pain and suffering.
An Ohio Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You
After a motorcycle accident, you will need someone on your side that can help you get the justice you deserve. It would be a good idea for you to consult with an attorney after your collision to help you decide how to proceed with filing a claim to collect compensation for your injuries. A motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to review your accident and medical reports and help you get the responsible party to pay. You may have permanent injuries that can change your life dramatically and you will need someone with experience to help you navigate the confusing motorcycle accident claims process.
You have a right to ride your motorcycle on Ohio roads if you choose to be a motorcycle rider. No one deserves to suffer injuries, especially when you make sure you are aware of and follow all the rules of the road. Your attorney will make sure you receive compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, and your lost wages. A lawyer will remain by your side until you get the justice you need to provide for yourself and your family while you are recovering from your injuries.
It is your motorcycle accident attorney’s job to make sure that the responsible party pays for your injuries and damages. You will have someone in your corner at all times looking out for your best interests. A lawyer will work to negotiate a fair settlement that will include your current and any future injuries you may have. Your attorney will understand how the motorcycle accident claims process works and will be able to use it to your advantage.
When you hire your own attorney, you will have someone investigating the accident, collecting records and reports, and talking to the insurance company so you can focus on your recovery process. You may have a long, difficult road ahead of you. Do not jeopardize your health by trying to work as your own attorney. Leave the legal work to a motorcycle accident attorney. A lawyer will not take the first offer presented to you but will work to make sure that all of your injuries and damages receive consideration to ensure the settlement matches your needs.
The Ohio Car Accident Lawyers knows and understands that being in a motorcycle accident can be a stressful and scary time. You will have an enormous amount of medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Even after you recuperate from your injuries, your life may never be the same as it was prior to the accident. We will take our time and explain your rights to you and your family. Our attorneys care about your well-being and want to make sure you receive all the compensation you need to continue your life in the best way possible. Let us lift some of the burden off your shoulders and fight the battle with the insurance company for you and your family.
Contact the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers for Assistance with Your Ohio Motorcycle Accident Claim
If you or someone you love suffers injuries in an Ohio motorcycle accident, contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. We can investigate your accident, review your medical and police reports, and negotiate your claim with the insurance carrier of the driver responsible for your accident. Our attorneys will fight to protect your rights and make sure you receive all the compensation you need. Let us help make the responsible party pay you for your injuries and property damage. We will be by your side until you receive the justice you deserve.
You do not want to attempt to negotiate with the insurance company on your own because they will work hard to pay you as little as possible. The Ohio Car Accident Lawyers has attorneys that do not scare easily and will not fall victim to the insurance company’s scare tactics. Our job is to protect your rights and the rights of your family, and we take our job very seriously. Call our office today to schedule a no-obligation consultation so we can discuss how we can help you with your case.