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Marko Law Firm

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

What Are the Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable not just because they lack protection, but because they are much smaller. This downside makes motorcycles harder for other drivers to notice while driving. It also means that motorcycles and their passengers are more likely to be thrown farther in the event of a collision.Motorcycles are also more susceptible to an accident because other drivers don't always keep a close enough eye out for them. Just 8% of households possess a motorcycle, which gives us a general estimate of just how common motorcycles are on US roadways. Because motorcycles aren't as common as normal passenger cars, drivers might 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 who is only looking for other passenger vehicles.Because motorcycles are harder to spot than other vehicles, motorcyclists need to always drive defensively. Bikers can never presume that other motorists can see them, particularly the drivers of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle accidents commonly occur when motorists:

  • Pull out of a side road, parking lot, or driveway in front of a motorcycle;
  • Make a sudden 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 an accident. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.Often, this results in severe and life-altering injuries to motorcycle crash victims. In fact, almost 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in collisions in just one recent year.While motorcycles just make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes cause 15 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities. Not every motorcycle accident will lead to death, yet it shows the severity these types of accidents inflict. Some usual 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 recover the compensation required to pay for those treatments.

Liability for Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accidents

As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in accidents are often the victims of negligence. Every negligence case is made up of four main elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and damages suffered by the plaintiff. Drivers of motor vehicles owe a duty of care to everybody else that uses public thoroughfares. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists-- including motorcyclists.When a motorist violates that duty by being careless, intoxicated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing a collision that results in injury or even wrongful death to another individual, the motorist might be held civilly liable to the victim. They can pursue a negligence case with the assistance of a motorcycle crash lawyer in Grand Rapids.A motorcyclist hurt in a crash might have a claim if they can prove that another motorist was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws but is still involved in an accident, chances are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It might 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 file a report if they are involved in a crash. This is particularly true if there is an injury or death. If immediate medical help is needed, provide what help you can, look for assistance, and call emergency medical help. If you are the one that is hurt, you should seek immediate medical help. Even if your injury appears minor and you do not need immediate help, it is a good idea to get medical care, as some injuries are not immediately apparent. At the accident scene you need to collect the contact and insurance information for the other parties. And you also want contact info for independent witnesses, as investigating law enforcement don't always gather that information. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer soon after the accident. We highly advise that you do this prior to talking to any insurance carrier.

Contact Our Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

After your accident, in addition to talking to the police and obtaining any necessary medical attention, you should consult with a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney with experience handling motorcycle crashes. Serving victims throughout the Grand Rapids area, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Marko Law can help 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 sustained. However, many insurance companies are reluctant to pay, even when liability and injuries are clear. This is particularly accurate when the damages are significant. Even when an insurance carrier seems responsible, beware. Lots of adjusters will try to settle 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 offer appears sufficient or even generous, it is vital to make sure your rights are protected. Consult a lawyer and be sure you know the consequences of the agreement. The truth is, not all injuries are readily apparent. And for some serious injuries, even if you anticipate full recovery, you can not be sure that the complete recovery you expect will happen.In those instances, signing a release of claims prematurely can limit your settlement to an amount that is substantially less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recuperate. Major injuries may consist of:

And, of course, some motorcycle crashes are deadly. If somebody you love has been killed in a motorcycle crash, speak to an attorney to determine 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 a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Grand Rapids, 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.

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