Motorcycle wrecks are more likely to be deadly than accidents involving only passenger cars. Motorcycles offer riders little protection from the impact of a collision. Motorcycle riders routinely are thrown from their bikes during the violent impact of a crash. Regardless of whether another motorist causes the collision, the exposed motorcyclist usually sustains the brunt of serious or fatal injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio or Tennessee, you may be able to take legal action against the driver who caused your injuries. A Kentucky motorcycle accident lawyer at Becker Law Office will review the details of your accident and explain your legal options. Our legal team has been fighting for injured people for more than 30 years. We may be able to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver to help you recover from your motorcycle wreck injuries.
Schedule a free legal consultation with Becker Law Office today. Learn about your options for filing a claim and recovering the compensation you deserve.
When a motorcycle crash occurs, the driver who caused the accident can be held legally liable for the injuries that result. This is true regardless of whether the motorcyclist was wearing a motorcycle helmet at the time of the accident.
You can demand compensation from the at-fault driver by filing a personal injury claim. The claim will be resolved through an out-of-court settlement agreement or decided in a civil court.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 5,286 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2016—the largest number of motorcycle rider deaths since 2008.
In addition, the NHTSA reports:
The statistics indicate that motorcyclists and motorcycle passengers face a very serious risk of life-altering or fatal injuries when a collision happens. In fact, the NHTSA says motorcycle riders are nearly 27 times more likely to die in a motorcycle crash than occupants of passenger cars.
Motorcycle crashes can happen anywhere, and they can happen for many different reasons. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says most motorcycle crash deaths – 62 percent – occur on major roads that are not classified as interstates. An estimated 12 percent of motorcyclist fatalities happen on interstates and freeways, and the remaining portion of accidents occur on smaller local roads.
Accidents on any road may be caused by road defects, by problems with the motorcycle, or by decisions made by the motorcycle rider or drivers of passenger cars. Some of the top causes include:
In many cases, the negligence or recklessness of a driver is directly responsible for causing a motorbike accident. Many drivers simply do not detect motorcycle riders in traffic or do not pay adequate attention to sharing the road. This can have devastating consequences when a driver’s carelessness results in a crash. However, a skilled Kentucky lawyer could help to hold a motorist accountable for a motorcycle crash.
A motorcyclist often suffers multiple injuries in a car accident. A motorcycle rider hit by a car could be hurt by the initial impact of the crash, by being thrown from his or her bike, or by being dragged by the motor vehicle. It is not unusual for a motorcycle to wind up on top of an injured motorcyclist after an accident.
Some of the most common injuries that a motorcycle rider may suffer in an accident include:
Injuries from motorbike wrecks can cause significant pain and suffering, and require extensive medical care followed by weeks or months of rehabilitation. Unfortunately, some injuries never heal, and the victim has to live with impairments, as well as a loss of earning power and income.
A proper claim will take into consideration all present and future medical expenses and losses caused by the accident. The Kentucky motorcycle crash attorneys at Becker Law Office will pursue maximum compensation for you if you have been seriously injured by someone else’s negligence or recklessness.
In its most recent annual report about motorcycle accidents, the NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,772 motorcyclists’ lives over the course of the year and that 740 more lives could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.
Reported helmet use rates for fatally injured motorcyclists were 61 percent for riders and 48 percent for passengers, the NHTSA says. Meanwhile, a DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet is estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 41 percent effective for motorcycle passengers.
Currently, according to the IIHS, 19 states and the District of Columbia have universal helmet laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear a helmet. Laws requiring only some motorcyclists to wear a helmet are in place in 28 states. There is no motorcycle helmet use law in three states (Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire).
While we at Becker Law Office encourage all motorcyclists to wear a DOT-compliant helmet when riding, we also want you to understand that whether or not you were wearing a helmet has no effect on a claim.
If you have a claim for motorcycle accident injuries, you need an experienced motorcycle injury attorney representing you—whether to negotiate a settlement or present your case to a jury.
Our attorneys at Becker Law Office will:
To pursue the most favorable settlement, you’ll want an experienced and skilled negotiator who knows insurance company tactics representing you. If your case goes to court, you’ll want a seasoned trial lawyer who excels at litigation to advocate on your behalf.
When you are represented by Becker Law Office, you will be represented by skilled negotiators and nationally recognized trial lawyers. You get two firms in one with Becker Law Office. You’ll have the right attorney to handle your case, wherever it leads.
The Kentucky motorcycle accident lawyers at Becker Law Office are seasoned negotiators. We will fight to achieve a just settlement for you without a trial. If your case goes to court, you will be represented by the attorneys who have been named among the top 100 Trial Lawyers in Kentucky. You have both legal teams in your corner.
To learn more about how Becker Law Office can help you, give us a call or contact us online today. We handle motorcycle injury claims from our offices in Louisville, Lexington, Florence and Cincinnati.
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