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Personal Injury Lawyers for Motorcycle Accident Victims
Motorcycles make up only a small percentage of vehicles on the road. Despite this, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorcyclists are also 4 more times more likely to sustain serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents. Victims of motorcycle accidents must receive the best help to get the compensation they need to recover and heal.
If you are a victim of a motorcycle accident, contact the experienced Cleveland motorcycle accident attorneys at Joseph Law Group today. We use a five-star approach to make sure our clients receive honest and compassionate legal help. We are well-versed in all areas of personal injury law. Give a Cleveland motorcycle attorney from our law firm a call today at (216) 522-1600 for a free case evaluation.
Common Causes of Cleveland Motorcycle Accidents
It’s no surprise that common causes of car accidents in Cleveland and common causes of motorcycle crashes have some overlap. Speeding, driver impairment, and negligent drivers pose serious risks to everyone on the road. However, a motorcycle’s limited size and visibility make some dangers unique to motorcyclists. Below are some of the more common causes of motorcycle accidents:
Road Hazards
Most road hazards are much more dangerous for motorcyclists than they are for drivers of a truck or car. Cars have the benefit of being more stable and heavier. Motorcycles are much smaller and lighter than cars, which means seemingly insignificant things like gravel or wet leaves can cause major accidents. As such, wet roads are highly dangerous for motorcycles.
Inattentive Drivers and Poor Visibility
Because motorcycles are significantly smaller than other automobiles, they tend to be much harder for a car driver to spot. Motorcyclists should wear reflective gear anytime they ride. This helps prevent other drivers from overlooking them.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a growing problem, especially due to the sheer number of things that can distract drivers inside their vehicles. Cell phones, food, and even other passengers can all contribute to accidents that can result in a motorcyclist’s severe injury. If this is the case for you or a loved one, an Ohio distracted driving accident attorney from Joseph Law Group can help recover compensation for your injuries while you focus on healing.
Left Turn Accidents
These types of accidents are often deadly. According to the NHTSA, almost half of all fatal crashes involving a car and a motorcycle were due to the car turning left. The car driver in these accidents is almost always at fault because left turns must yield to all oncoming traffic. However, in states with comparative negligence laws like Ohio, motorcycle riders can share fault if they were speeding or running a red light.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Cleveland motorcycle accident lawyers today.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Ohio?
Lane splitting is when motorcyclists ride between vehicles traveling in the same direction. Lane splitting is also called white-lining since the rider is driving on the line that separates lanes of traffic. A motorcycle rider may use this tactic to bypass traffic congestion and save time.
Lane splitting is not legal in Ohio. In fact, lane splitting is illegal in every state except California. Lane splitting can cause serious accidents, especially if other drivers are distracted.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcyclists don’t have doors, windows, airbags, or seatbelts as other vehicle drivers do. Most riders only get protection from a motorcycle helmet and appropriate motorcycle gear. Motorcycle gear typically includes thick leather or denim clothing to prevent road rash and other serious injuries that can happen during an accident. Unfortunately, many motorcyclists skip wearing protective gear to stay cooler and more comfortable. This can lead to traffic accidents that cause much more severe injuries.
Some of the most frequent motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, like concussions and skull fractures
- Back injuries and spinal cord injuries
- Amputation/loss of limb
- Road rash
- Broken bones and fractures
- Nerve damage
- Lacerations and bruises
- Facial disfigurement
If you or a loved one is a victim of a motorcycle crash, contact the knowledgeable motorcycle lawyers at Joseph Law Group today. Our law firm has a skilled team of Cleveland motorcycle accident attorneys ready to help injured motorcyclists today.
What Should I Do After A Motorcycle Accident?
The minutes immediately following a major car accident can be a scary situation to handle, let alone the moments after a motorcycle accident. If you are involved in a motorcycle crash, it is important to remain calm and follow the steps we provide below:
1. Move Out of the Roadway
It’s not always easy to see when a motorcycle has been involved in a serious accident. It is important to move away from the oncoming traffic which could cause more injuries and harm.
2. Assess Injuries
Communicate with the other accident victims to see if anyone has a serious injury. This can help 911 operators determine the best agencies to send to the accident scene.
3. Call the Police
Police should be notified of every accident. Even if there are no immediate injuries, call 911 and have them dispatch police and medical services to your location. Injuries like whiplash and head injuries can appear after the accident. Police also make an accident report with the information that can assist your attorney if you need to file a personal injury case later on.
4. Gather Information
You should get as much evidence as possible from the scene of the accident. Too much information is better than too little in motorcycle accident claims. As such, you should:
- Take pictures and videos of any property damage to the vehicles involved, including motorcycle damage
- Take pictures of any injuries that happened as a result of the collision
- Get the name of the other car driver (or drivers) and their contact information
- Exchange insurance information
- Get the name of the responding police officer, or accident report number, if possible.
- Document the weather and driving conditions as well as any other information you deem relevant to your case
5. Get A Complete Medical Examination
Even if you came away from the accident with minor scrapes, it’s important to get a complete examination. A complete exam can catch any other injuries that aren’t immediately visible and that the shock and adrenaline from the accident may have masked. Make sure your treating practitioner knows all the details surrounding the accident and any potential injury.
6. Contact an Experienced Cleveland Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accident claims can be hard to navigate alone. Often, insurance companies will offer the bare minimum. That amount will probably not even begin to cover medical costs and property damage, not to mention lost wages and lost earning potential. That’s why you need to contact a Cleveland motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible about your case. Our experienced personal injury lawyers have handled many motorcycle accident cases with successful outcomes for our clients.
7. Do Not Speak to Insurance Adjusters
If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, let them know you are speaking with a lawyer. Do not discuss anything about who may have been at fault or what injuries you have. Other insurance companies often try to gather evidence against you and are not looking out for your best interest.
How Are Motorcycle Accidents and Car Accidents Different?
Motorcycle accidents and car crashes have some overlap, but they can also be very different in the injuries they cause. Motorcyclists are often thought to be risk-takers and thrill-seekers, so insurance companies will often try to paint them as the at-fault party. You may have to prove that you are an experienced rider and are very safe when it comes to defending your case. It’s important to have experienced legal counsel by your side during this stressful time.
Who is at Fault in a Motorcycle Accident?
Ohio is a state that practices comparative negligence. This means if you are more than 50% at fault for an accident, you cannot pursue compensation for your injuries. If the insurance company claims that you were 60% at fault during an accident, you cannot file a claim to seek compensation for any costly medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. If you are 30% at fault, you’ll receive 70% of the determined compensation.
There is no magic formula for determining who was most at fault, though. This is why you need the experienced Cleveland motorcycle accident lawyers at your side to handle your case.
Ohio Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents
Ohio has a two-year statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents. This means that you have two years from the time of the accident to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for any injuries sustained during the motorcycle crash. This is another reason why it’s so important that you reach out to the experienced personal injury lawyers at Joseph Law Group as soon as possible after a motorcycle crash. Our law firm can guide you through the process and answer any questions you have about pursuing your motorcycle accident claim.
What Damages Can I Get from a Motorcycle Wreck?
As serious and catastrophic injuries often accompany motorcycle accidents, victims will often have a plethora of medical bills and property damage following an accident. These damages are relatively easy to measure, as there is often a calculable amount. Injured riders can also have costs that aren’t so easy to define, like loss of earning potential or pain and suffering. These are harder to prove but can play a significant role in the amount of damages you are able to recover if successful.
With a top Ohio personal injury lawyer from Joseph Law Group working for you, you can be sure that we are fighting for the maximum compensation for your motorcycle accident case. Based on your injuries and financial losses, you may be compensated for any of the following:
- Property damage
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages
- Decreased income potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Permanent handicaps
- Wrongful death
- And more
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
Insurance companies often encourage you to settle early and say that you can save time and legal fees by doing so. They often encourage you to settle quickly for much less than you deserve. Plus, insurance companies will not usually include future medical expenses in their settlement. If you have not fully healed, you could still have a long road to recovery ahead of you.
This is why you should contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer right away. At Joseph Law Group, we can answer any questions you have about pursuing personal injury cases and the settlement you may be able to achieve.
Injured motorcyclists can still file a personal injury claim even if they were not wearing the proper safety gear. Ohio’s contributory negligence law allows people to seek damages even if the injuries are partially their fault. If the other driver was more at fault, you can seek compensation in your personal injury case. You may not be able to recover compensation for 100% of your claim, but if the other driver was 80% at fault, for example, you will receive 80% of the decided compensation whether or not you were wearing proper safety gear.
It is always unfortunate to lose a loved one, no matter the circumstances. This is especially true when they were killed due to the negligence of another person. However, there may be legal recourse available for a spouse or child of someone lost in a motorcycle accident. In this tragic event, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed against the negligent party.
A wrongful death claim is aimed at recovering compensation for the family of the motorcycle accident victim and can include compensation for funeral expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Motorcycle passengers who sustain injuries in a motorcycle crash can also file a personal injury claim against negligent drivers. However, this can be a tricky situation at times. If the at-fault driver was the one driving the motorcycle, they are likely to be a close friend or family member. There’s a tightrope to walk in the scenario. We are more likely to file the motorcycle accident claim against the insurance company. This will help you get the compensation you need while maintaining your relationship.
If you have been involved in a Cleveland motorcycle accident, contact the qualified motorcycle accident lawyers at Joseph Law Group to help you today.
Why Do I Need a Cleveland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Anyone who has been in any type of motor vehicle crash knows it can have detrimental consequences. This is even more true for motorcycle accidents, as they can often end in catastrophic injuries or a fatality. Equipping the help of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer like the ones at Joseph Law Group can take a lot of the stress off of you and give you the time and peace you need to recover.
If you need to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit, you can trust our legal team at Joseph Law Group. We have represented many motorcycle accident victims across the state of Ohio and we know how detrimental a motorcycle accident can be. That’s why we promise to perform a thorough investigation before we seek legal recourse to recover maximum compensation for your claim. For a free case evaluation, call our Cleveland injury law firm today at (216) 522-1600 or complete our online claim form here.
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The insurance industry is built on the avoidance of making any payments on claims. They see claims as liabilities, and initially deny, defend, and delay a claim to limit that liability and save money for the company. Ultimately, it is the job of the attorneys at Joseph Law Group to advocate on behalf of our clients and to give the insurance companies and adjusters enough reason to pay an amount of money that is fair under all circumstances. When you hire Joseph Law Group to represent your claim, you are getting a full-service team of dedicated attorneys and paralegals who will be committed to pursuing the best outcome for you from day one until trial.
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