Canton Motorcycle Injury Lawyer

What Are the Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable not just because they lack protection, but because they are smaller. This disadvantage makes motorcycles more difficult for other motorists to notice while driving. It also means that motorcycles and their passengers are more likely to be thrown further in the event of a collision.

Motorcycles are also more susceptible to a wreck because other drivers do not keep a close enough eye out for them. Just 8% of households possess a motorcycle, which provides us a general estimate of just how common motorcycles are on US roadways. Because motorcycles aren’t as prevalent as regular passenger vehicles, motorists may be less likely to watch out for them.

For instance, a motorcycle riding in a motorist’s blind spot or crossing through an intersection at a 2-way stop might be less likely to be seen by a motorist that is only watching for other passenger cars.

Because motorcycles are harder to detect than other vehicles, motorcyclists should always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume that other motorists can see them, particularly the motorists of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle accidents typically happen when drivers:

• Pull out of a side road, parking lot, or driveway in front of a motorcycle;
• Make an abrupt turn in front of a motorcycle;
• Make a lane change in front of or broadside to a motorcycle; or
• Attempt to pass another car, and fail to see the motorcyclist in either the passing lane or the target lane.

What Are the Most Prevalent Motorcycle Injuries?

A motorcycle provides you little protection in a collision. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.

Often, this leads to serious and life-altering injuries to motorcycle crash victims. In fact, approximately 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in just one recent year.

While motorcycles just comprise 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes result in 15 percent of all vehicle crash fatalities. Not every motorcycle accident will cause death, however it shows the seriousness these types of crashes result in.

Some common injuries are:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Road rash
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Amputation
• Death

That’s not to say that survivors can never return to a normal life, but it may take some time and effort, including physical therapy. A motorcycle crash attorney can help you receive the compensation required to pay for those treatments.

Liability for Canton Motorcycle Accidents

As these facts suggest, motorcyclists wounded in crashes are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim is made up of four main elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and injuries sustained by the plaintiff. Drivers of motor vehicles owe a duty of care to everybody else that uses public roads. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and various other drivers– including motorcyclists.

When a driver breaches that duty by being careless, intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing an accident which causes injury or even wrongful death to another individual, the motorist may be held civilly liable to the injured party. They can seek a negligence case with the help of a motorcycle crash lawyer in Canton.

A motorcyclist wounded in a collision might have a claim if he can demonstrate that another driver was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws however is still involved in an accident, chances are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It could be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being inebriated, or a mixture of the three.

What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

If You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident, immediately contact the authorities to make a report if they are involved in an accident. This is particularly true if there is an injury or death.

If immediate medical aid is necessary, render what aid you can, seek assistance, and call emergency medical assistance. If you are the one who is hurt, you should seek immediate medical assistance. Even if your injury seems minor and you do not need immediate help, it is a good idea to get medical care, as some injuries are not immediately noticeable.

Furthermore, at the scene you should collect the contact and insurance information for the other parties. And you also want contact info for independent witnesses, as investigating law enforcement do not always collect that information.

Contact a motorcycle accident attorney soon after the collision. We strongly advise that you do this before speaking with any insurance company.

Contact Our Canton Motorcycle Injury Lawyers

After your accident, along with talking to the authorities and receiving any necessary medical attention, you should get in touch with a qualified and knowledgeable personal injury attorney with experience handling motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Canton area, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Marko Law can assist you.

Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance carrier– either their own or the other motorist’s– will adequately compensate them for any injuries they have suffered. However, plenty of insurance companies are reluctant to pay, even when liability and damages are clear. This is especially accurate when the damages are significant.

Even when an insurance company appears liable, be wary. Lots of insurance adjusters will attempt to settle insurance claims quickly. They will advise you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case– and therefore minimize their exposure.

Even if the deal appears sufficient or even generous, it is important to ensure your legal rights are defended. Speak with an attorney and be sure you know the consequences of the agreement.

The truth is, not all injuries are readily apparent. And for some major injuries, even if you expect complete recovery, you can not be sure that the full recovery you hope for will materialize.

In those situations, signing a release of claims prematurely can reduce your settlement to an amount that is considerably less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate. Major injuries can consist of:

• Spine damage;
• Multiple broken bones;
• Severe bruising and/or “road rash”;
• Traumatic head injuries.

And, obviously, some motorcycle accidents are fatal. If someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle accident, contact an attorney to find out whether there’s a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent motorist.

Contact Us Today to Get a Free Consultation

If you are ready to start your case or need more information about Motorcycle Injury in Canton, Michigan, contact Marko Law Firm today. Let us represent you as you seek justice and compensation for your pain and damages. Call (313) 777-7LAW today to get a free consultation or visit our website: MarkoLaw.com to get more information.