Motorcycle Accidents: Protecting Riders’ Rights On The Road
Motorcycle riding offers a sense of freedom and exhilaration but also involves inherent risks. Due to their smaller size and vulnerability, motorcyclists are at a higher risk of serious injury in an accident. Sadly, many collisions occur because other drivers don’t see motorcycles on the road.
At Condeni Law, LLC, we have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by motorcyclists involved in accidents. Attorney Joe Condeni has been fighting for the rights of injured riders since 1982, and we are committed to providing strong legal representation and helping you secure the compensation you deserve.
What To Do Right After A Motorcycle Accident
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, your medical recovery is most important. After the accident, seek the best and appropriate medical care that you can.
After you have been checked and treated, the next important step is to obtain and preserve evidence of the crash. It is important to preserve the motorcycle, which may provide good indicators of how the motorcycle collision occurred.
We will take photographs of the accident scene, obtain witness statements and communicate with the police regarding what they believe happened.
We also have relationships with accident reconstruction experts whose familiarity with motorcycle collisions is especially helpful when defendant drivers blame the motorcycle operator for the accident. An accident reconstruction expert can analyze the hard evidence and make a determination as to what truly caused the collision between the motorcycle and another motor vehicle.
Bias against Motorcycle Operators In An Accident
In our experience, juries and insurance carriers tend to find fault or seek to lay blame with motorcycle drivers who are involved in accidents. At Condeni Law, LLC, our job is to establish that the motorcycle operator was operating within the law and was not at fault, or did not cause or contribute to the accident. Our firm has been successful in persuading insurance carriers, defense attorneys and judges that, in fact, the motorcycle operator was not at fault and that the other party, or the other motor vehicle operator, was at fault.
Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents often share similar causes with other vehicle collisions, but the consequences for riders can be far more severe:
- Distracted driving: Drivers talking on phones, texting or adjusting their radios can easily overlook motorcycles, leading to devastating collisions.
- Failure to yield: Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to motorcycles at intersections or when making turns is a common cause of accidents.
- Speeding and reckless driving: Excessive speed and aggressive driving maneuvers reduce reaction time and increase the risk of accidents, particularly for motorcyclists.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs judgment and reaction time, endangering everyone on the road, especially motorcyclists.
- Lane changes and merging: Drivers changing lanes or merging without checking their blind spots often fail to see motorcycles, resulting in collisions.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, debris and uneven road surfaces can pose greater dangers to motorcyclists, potentially causing loss of control and accidents.
- Motorcycle visibility: The smaller size of motorcycles makes them less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of accidents, especially in low-light conditions or heavy traffic.
After a motorcycle accident, prioritize your health by seeking immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Gather information from all involved parties and any witnesses and contact the police to report the accident. Document the scene with photos and videos if possible and notify your insurance company. Finally, consult a motorcycle accident lawyer to protect your rights and navigate the legal process.
Importance Of Consulting An Attorney After A Motorcycle Accident
Claiming compensation for a motorcycle accident can be a challenge if it involves very serious, catastrophic, or even fatal injuries. In many situations, the victim is unable to gather evidence, preserve evidence, obtain witness statements, investigate the accident or bring in accident reconstruction experts to determine how the collision actually occurred. A motorcycle accident attorney can best represent the injured party and do all that is necessary to prepare a case and present it to an insurance carrier for settlement, or if necessary, to a jury for the case to be tried.
Representing Motorcycle Accident Clients
At Condeni Law, LLC, we help clients by guiding them through the process from the outset, by ensuring that the client is getting necessary and appropriate medical care to presenting the claim to the insurance carrier in a persuasive manner.
If settlement cannot be obtained, we help clients by preparing the case for trial and guiding the client through the litigation process, while working to obtain a fair and reasonable settlement or jury verdict that our client deserves.
Our goal is to take away the anxiety, confusion and fear that comes with trying to negotiate or work with an insurance carrier so that the client can focus on what’s most important – their medical recovery.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Contact us online or call (216) 998-4213.