If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a motorcycle, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim to recoup some of the damages you’ve suffered. These claims can be complicated, and finding a qualified and experienced West Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer will give you the knowledge and tools you need to get the compensation you deserve.
We all know that traveling on roadways comes with inherent risks. Car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and other road hazards make traveling perilous regardless of the means of transportation. Motorcycle riders, however, are often at added risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that around 5,000 motorcyclists are killed in accidents each year. In a side-by-side comparison based on the number of miles traveled, a motorcycle rider is 29 times more likely to be killed in an accident than a car passenger.
Unfortunately, this added risk means that motorcyclists or their loved ones may find themselves in need of a personal injury attorney who specializes in these cases. If you’re looking for a motorcycle injury lawyer, here are some things you need to know.
Motorcycle Accidents Have Many Causes
All the typical roadway hazards exist for motorcyclists as well as those driving cars. Accidents are frequently caused by poor weather conditions, unsafe driving, driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, poor visibility, and debris in the road.
The fact that motorcyclists have far less protection around them when an accident occurs makes what could be a minor fender bender for someone driving a car a potentially deadly encounter for a motorcyclist.
An additional threat to motorcycle riders is the lack of awareness of other drivers on the road. Motorcycles are—relatively speaking—rarer than larger vehicles, and many drivers’ own perception biases cause them to overlook motorcyclists when they’re merging or turning onto roadways.
Motorcycle Accidents Can Have Serious Impacts
A motorcycle accident has the potential to turn serious very quickly. Some of the most common injuries and impacts of motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions/head injuries
- Broken legs and/or arms
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Injuries to internal organs
These serious conditions run the risk of causing major disruptions to your life. Even an injury that will eventually result in a full recovery may come with substantial costs. More serious injuries may cause lifetime disabilities and limitations. Of course, a death from a motorcycle accident is a tragic occurrence that can never be repaired.
The impacts of these injuries can become the basis for a personal injury case, which attempts to recoup some of the damages done. These may include the following:
- Medical expenses and ongoing treatments
- Ambulance bills
- Lost wages from time off work
- Motorcycle repair costs
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
What Can a West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Do to Strengthen Your Case?
Having an experienced and dedicated attorney working on your motorcycle injury case is an important step to getting the compensation you deserve and starting to recover—financially, physically, and emotionally—from the toll taken. Of course, if you are dealing with a wrongful death lawsuit, no amount can ever replace your loved one, but a personal injury case can be one way to seek justice for the harm and help to cover the financial gaps left behind by funeral expenses and lost wages.
A personal injury lawsuit will require demonstrating that the other party was negligent in some way. A skilled West Virginia motorcycle accident attorney can help gather evidence to demonstrate this fact. From collecting witness statements to analyzing evidence from the scene, constructing a case based on assigning fault will require attention to detail.
Most personal injury cases have a two-year statute of limitations, which means that you must file your suit within two years of the date of the accident. However, filing as soon as possible helps ensure that the collection of evidence will be fruitful. It can be difficult to find witnesses and physical evidence when many months have passed since the incident.
The injured person is eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the motorcycle accident resulted in a death, then the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a case on the victim’s behalf.
How Do I Find an Experienced West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
When looking for a lawyer who can help you understand the next steps in your motorcycle accident case, it’s important to ask about past experience with related cases. It is also important to find an attorney who is responsive and listens to your concerns.
Facing these kinds of life-changing injuries and losses can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help you navigate the next steps as smoothly as possible. Call us today for a free case review, and let us show you how we can help your case.
