Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Common Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles have less protection compared to cars. As a result, your motorcycle accident can cause many serious injuries, including the following.

• Road Rash: This happens when the skin scrapes against the pavement, causing painful abrasions and even deep wounds.
• Broken Bones: The impact from being thrown off your motorcycle can easily break bones, including arms in your feet, legs, arms, ribs, and pelvis.
• Head Injuries: Even with a helmet, motorcyclists can suffer from concussions, skull fractures, or more severe traumatic brain injuries.
• Spinal Injuries: Accidents can cause damage to the spine, potentially leading to herniated discs, fractures, or even paralysis.
• Internal Injuries: These injuries, caused by blunt trauma, can cause damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, lungs, stomach, or kidneys.
• Facial Injuries: In addition to cuts and bruises, motorcyclists may suffer broken facial bones, eye injuries, or dental injuries from facial impacts.
• Soft Tissue and Joint Injuries: Since motorcyclists aren’t protected by air bags and can be thrown from their vehicle in a crash, they’re vulnerable to sprains, dislocations, or tears.

Unfortunately, in some cases serious motorcycle accidents can even lead to permanent disability or fatalities. In other cases, you may feel fine but may have sustained a serious injury, so always get a proper medical evaluation if you’ve been in a collision.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Some common examples of how a motorcycle crash can happen include the following:

• Drivers who are texting, talking on their phones, or otherwise distracted might not see a motorcycle.
• Riding at excessive speeds can reduce a rider’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions.
• Potholes, uneven surfaces, and loose gravel can be particularly dangerous for motorcycles, leading to loss of control.
• Motorcycles are smaller and less noticeable than cars, making it harder for other drivers to see them, especially in poor lighting or weather conditions.
• In some areas where it’s legal, riding between lanes of slow-moving traffic can be risky, as drivers may not expect motorcycles in their blind spots.
• Alcohol and drugs can impair a driver’s judgment and reaction time, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Motorcyclists can be involved in accidents when other drivers fail to yield the right of way at intersections or when making turns.
• Riders who are not well-trained or experienced may struggle with handling their motorcycle safely, particularly in emergency situations.
• Motorcycles can easily be missed in a vehicle’s blind spots, leading to dangerous situations during lane changes or turns.
• Problems with the motorcycle itself, such as brake failures or tire blowouts, can lead to accidents.

Any of these situations can lead to serious truck accidents or vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle. These factors can even cause single-vehicle motorcycle crashes.

Who May Be Liable for a Motorcycle Accident

In many collisions, fault is shared among different parties. For example, if another driver’s actions, such as speeding, running a red light, or failing to yield, caused the accident, they might be held responsible for the collision. In some cases, the motorcyclist may be at fault if their own actions, such as reckless riding, speeding, or not following traffic laws, contributed to the accident.

If the accident was caused by a mechanical failure or defect in the motorcycle or another vehicle, the manufacturer could be held liable for producing a faulty product.

If poor road conditions, such as potholes or lack of proper signage, contributed to the accident, the government or agency responsible for road maintenance might share liability. On the other hand, if an accident occurred due to hazardous conditions on private property, such as an unsafe parking lot, the property owner might be held responsible.

Statute of Limitations for a Motorcycle Accident Claims

The statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents refers to the legal timeframe within which you must file a lawsuit if you want to seek compensation for damages. This period varies depending on where you live and the specifics of your case.

In most states, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including motorcycle accidents, ranges from one to three years from the date of the accident. In some cases, there are exceptions. For example, if you hope to sue a government entity for poor roads, you may have less time to file a claim.

Because missing the statute of limitations can keep you from recovering damages, consult with motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible after an accident. They can help you understand the specific deadlines that apply to your situation and ensure that you file within the required timeframe.

Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Fatal motorcycle accidents have a profound impact on families and communities, and they highlight the serious risks associated with motorcycle riding.

Families of the deceased may pursue wrongful death claims to seek compensation for their loss, which can cover medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and emotional suffering.

Those affected by a fatal motorcycle accident may be so overwhelmed by grief that they struggle to make decisions about the claim. This is where motorcycle accident lawyers are important; they look out for your best interests when you can’t.