Personal Injury: Motorcycle Accidents

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are over 7 million motorcycles on the road. Motorcycle injuries and fatalities are also climbing, reaching 103,000 in 2007, the highest level since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began collecting data. Compared to car drivers and passengers, motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to die in a crash, and eight times more likely to be suffer personal injury.

Most motorcyclists involved in accidents attest that the accidents occurred for one of two reasons. Either the driver of another vehicle didn’t see the motorcyclist until it was too late, or a driver showed a reckless indifference towards the motorcyclist.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you have the same rights as if you were injured in an auto accident. But insurance companies are wary of motorcyclists at the outset, and it can be difficult to deal with an insurance agent when seeking a claim. The Insurance Information Institute states, “Motorcycles are by their nature far less crashworthy than closed vehicles. They are also less visible to other drivers and pedestrians and less stable than four-wheel vehicles. Operating a motorcycle requires a different combination of physical and mental skills than those used in driving four-wheel vehicles. Motorcyclists and their passengers are more vulnerable to the hazards of weather and road conditions than drivers in closed vehicles.” In other words, even if you are a safe motorcyclist, insurance companies look at biking as inherently dangerous, and will do their best to settle your claim with less than you deserve, even if the accident was in no way your fault.

Bicycle Accidents Injuries:

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 32 million people were injured in 2011. Of those, almost ten million were children – many of whom were in bicycle accidents. Bike accidents can result in many serious injuries, including head and brain injuries, neck and spinal cord injuries, broken bones, bruising and abrasions. The good news is that fatalities continue to decrease, mostly due to adoption of safety helmet laws, so that more children and adults are wearing helmets. Bicycle accidents can be caused by pedestrians, defective bike parts, recalled bike helmets, other ineffective bicycle safety equipment, and accidental spills and falls. However, the most serious bike accidents are caused by motor vehicles.

Help for Your Motorcycle or Bicycle Injury

A personal injury due to a motorcycle or bicycle accident can be devastating and confusing, and it can be difficult to obtain the compensation you need. That is why it’s so important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney that will advocate on your behalf to the insurance companies, and seek justice in the court on your behalf if needed. Some injuries incurred in a motorcycle or bicycle accident tend to be much more serious and debilitating than a car accident, and because of that, your medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation may be more costly. The attorneys of Lemberg & Associates want to ensure you have the resources you need when you’re dealing with the trauma and recovery of a motorcycle or bicycle accident injury. Simply complete the form to the right for a free case evaluation.

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