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.
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, so 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.
Contact Miley Legal in Clarksburg and Morgantown to schedule a free case review.
Motorcycle Accidents Have Many Causes
All the typical roadway hazards exist for motorcyclists as well as those driving cars.
Motorcycle crashes are frequently caused by:
- Bad weather conditions
- Distracted driving
- Drunk drivers or drivers under the influence of drugs
- Poor visibility
- Debris on the road
Motorcyclists have far less protection around them when an accident occurs. So what would be a minor fender bender for someone driving a car could be a devastating or 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 rarer than larger vehicles, and many drivers’ perception biases cause them to overlook motorcyclists when they’re merging or turning onto roadways. Motorcycles are also a lot smaller than your average vehicle, making them less visible and easier to miss on the road.
Remember that if your motorcycle accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, you might be eligible for financial compensation. You don’t have to bear the burden of your accident on your own. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help.
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 that a motorcycle accident victim faces include the following:
- Wrongful death
- Dismemberment
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions or head injuries
- Broken legs or arms
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Internal injuries
These motorcycle crash injuries 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 severe motorcycle accident 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 serious 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 bills and ongoing treatments
- Ambulance bills
- Lost wages from time off work
- Motorcycle repair costs
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
If the accident was a result of another’s negligence, you can recover compensation for all of your damages related to the incident. Don’t settle for less than what you deserve for your claim.
What Can A West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Do To Strengthen Your Case?
Having an experienced and dedicated attorney working on your motorcycle accident 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 a claim with the insurance company as soon as possible helps ensure that the collection of evidence will be fruitful. Finding witnesses and physical evidence can be difficult 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.
Navigating the personal injury legal system can be overwhelming. Let our motorcycle accident lawyers do the hard work for you.
How Do I Find An Experienced West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
When selecting an attorney to help you understand the next steps in your case, it’s important to ask about past experience with motorcycle accident 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. Contact us today for a free case review, and let us show you how we can help your case.
