Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle Accident Attorney Services
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injury and often a motorcycle accident lawyer may be needed. Every time you get on a motorcycle, the risks are high. Motorcycle accidents happen frequently, even if they are not always the fault of the rider. Among all the vehicles on the roadways, motorcyclists are in a unique position. When a motorcycle accident occurs, the rider does not have a steel frame and crumple zones to protect him or her. The risk of serious injury or even death is much higher for motorcyclists than other drivers. And motorcyclists know this. This is why, contrary to some stereotypes, most motorcyclists are aware and responsible at all times while riding. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help make sure that the responsible motorcyclist is not blamed for an accident.
Think about it: when was the last time you saw a motorcyclist texting or fixing her makeup while speeding down the highway? It’s a safe bet the answer is never. On the other hand, to many drivers motorcycles are virtually invisible. Studies have shown that in almost 2/3rds of all motorcycle accidents the other driver didn’t see the bike. In fact, many of the primary causes of motorcycle accidents are the fault of the other vehicle involved. These causes include:
- Car doors
- Speeding (both the car and the motorcycle)
- Driving under the influence
- Unsafe lane changes
- Left turn accidents
- Inexperienced drivers
- Quick stops
The automobile accident lawyers Washington DC trusts can work on behalf of the motorcyclist to make sure they are not blamed for a collision caused by another automobile, such as a car or truck. This is because we know that even the most cautious motorcyclist can’t stop someone from making that left turn across the lane without warning.
Due to their increased frequency of accidents, motorcyclist are at a higher risk for serious injury. Motorcycle accidents usually harm the motorcyclist most severely. Common injuries from a motorcycle accident can include:
- Scrapes and bruises (“road rash”)
- Head damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Torn muscles
- Death
A motorcycle accident lawyer can work on behalf of the motorcyclist to ensure they are finding all the right information in order to receive adequate compensation for their injuries. Unfortunately, the increased risk of serious injury for motorcyclists causes some people to take the position that motorcyclists are just asking for it. It’s a sad, but common bias people harbor. It can affect the way motorcycle victims are treated.
At Cohen & Cohen, we believe it is unfair the way many motorcyclists are treated in the court of law. We are highly aware of the dangers motorcyclists face, and the prejudices motorcycle crash victims must contend with to receive fair compensation for their injuries. If you have been injured while riding, call Cohen & Cohen and we will set you up with a motorcycle accident lawyer on our team.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Insurance Claim
Accident victims who are contemplating whether to file an insurance claim related to their property damage and/or medical bills often – very understandably – wonder what the average motorcycle accident settlement tends to be. The long and short of things is that no two motorcycle accident cases ever unfold in exactly the same ways. As a result, it is important to avoid making assumptions about what your claim may be worth until you’ve had your situation objectively analyzed by the legal team at Cohen & Cohen.
Why is it problematic to think in terms of an “average motorcycle accident settlement”? Having a figure in mind as you approach the claims process may unintentionally cause you to undervalue your claim or to suffer a great deal of stress if your claim is legitimately valued below the figure that you expected it to be. Seeking experienced legal guidance by scheduling a risk-free consultation with the legal team at Cohen & Cohen will help you to develop informed expectations about any insurance claim that you may opt to file.
Insurance companies are private enterprises. Therefore, they are going to pay you less than they have to if they can get away with it. This isn’t necessarily a malicious approach on their part – although some insurance companies do act in bad faith when evaluating and valuing claims. Companies simply like to save money. So, say that you have it in your head that the average motorcycle accident settlement is $75,000. If your insurance company values your claim at $85,000, you’ll think you’ve won a minor lottery. However, it is highly probably that this number – although higher than you expected – is lowballed. It may be the case that your claim is properly valued at $108,000, but if you don’t know that, you’ll jump at the chance to take $10,000 more than you expected to receive, even though that number doesn’t represent the accurate value of your claim.
In a nutshell? Have your case evaluated by our legal team before you accept any settlement offers. Similarly, if your claim is rejected, don’t lose hope. Speak with us to determine whether you’re in a position to file an appeal, file a new claim, or even to hold your insurance company accountable for damages due to bad faith dealing.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Lawsuit
If another’s recklessness, negligence, or intentionally dangerous conduct contributed to the cause(s) of your accident, you may have strong grounds upon which our team can file a lawsuit on your behalf. You may be in position to sue another driver, a manufacturer of subpar auto parts, or even a government agency tasked with properly maintaining the road that you were traveling on at the time that you suffered harm. You may be entitled to economic damages – to cover easily quantifiable expenses such as medical bills – and non-economic damages, which would address unquantifiable loss such as pain and suffering.
Experienced Legal Assistance Is Available
We have represented many motorcyclists in cases ranging from the minor to the tragic. More importantly, we have been successful over the years because we understand what it takes to win a motorcycle accident case. If you are worried about not being taken care of properly or not receiving all the facts you deserve, Cohen & Cohen can help. Motorcycle accidents can be stressful and overwhelming, with insurance to deal with on the medical logistics that come with injuries. It is already hard dealing with the aftermath of a crash and you don’t want to have to battle over the just compensation you deserve. At Cohen & Cohen, any motorcycle accident lawyer on our team will be more than happy to help you find all the facts to see if you have a case to fight for.
