PRACTICE AREAS
At Dunk Law Firm, we truly care about each and every one of our clients. We know that being involved in an unexpected accident or losing a loved one in a tragic incident is overwhelming. We're here to help.
MEET THE TEAMcontact usWhat Are Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable not just because they lack the protection, but because they are much smaller. This disadvantage makes motorcycles more difficult for other motorists to see on the road. 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 an accident because other motorists do not keep a close enough eye out for them. Only 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 prevalent as normal passenger cars, drivers might be less likely to watch out for them.
For example, 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 driver who is only watching for other passenger cars.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to spot than other vehicles, motorcyclists need to always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume that other drivers can see them, especially the motorists of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle crashes typically happen when motorists:
What Are the Most Common 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.
Commonly, this results in severe and life-altering injuries to motorcycle accident victims. In fact, nearly 5,000 motorcyclists died in collisions in just one recent year.
While motorcycles only make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes result in 15 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities. Not every motorcycle crash will result in death, however it shows the severity these kinds of crashes cause.
Some usual injuries are:
That's not to say that survivors can never resume a normal life, but it may take some time and effort, including physical rehabilitation. A motorcycle crash lawyer can help you receive the compensation needed to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Beaumont Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists hurt in collisions are commonly the victims of negligence. Every negligence claim is comprised of four essential elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and injuries 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 breaches that duty by being careless, intoxicated, tired, or distracted, and ends up causing an accident which leads to injury or even wrongful death to another individual, the driver might be held civilly liable to the injured party. They can seek a negligence claim with the help of a motorcycle crash lawyer in Beaumont.
A motorcyclist wounded in an accident might have a claim if he can prove that another motorist was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has obeyed all of the traffic laws yet is still involved in a crash, 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 Crash?
If You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Crash, immediately call 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 aid you can, seek assistance, and call emergency medical help. If you are the one that is injured, you should seek immediate medical aid. Even if your injury seems small and you do not need immediate aid, it is a good idea to get medical care, as some injuries are not immediately noticeable.
Additionally, at the scene you need to collect the contact and insurance details for the other parties. And you also want contact info for independent witnesses, as investigating law enforcement do not always gather that information.
Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer soon after the crash. We strongly advise that you do this prior to speaking with any insurance company.
Contact Our Beaumont Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
After your accident, aside from speaking with the authorities and obtaining any necessary medical attention, you should call a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney with experience handling motorcycle crashes. Serving victims throughout the Beaumont area, the motorcycle crash lawyers at Dunk Law Firm can help you.
Too often, accident victims believe that an insurance carrier-- either their own or the other driver's-- will properly compensate them for any injuries they have suffered. Unfortunately, lots of insurance providers are reluctant to pay, even when liability and injuries are obvious. This is especially true when the damages are substantial.
Even when an insurance carrier appears liable, be wary. Many adjusters will attempt to settle claims quickly. They will urge you to sign an agreement that will allow them to close the case-- and thus minimize their exposure.
Even if the deal seems adequate or even generous, it is crucial to make sure your rights are defended. Contact an attorney and make sure you understand the consequences of the agreement.
The fact is, not all injuries are immediately apparent. And for some major injuries, even if you anticipate complete recovery, you can not be certain 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.
And, of course, some motorcycle crashes are fatal. If someone you love has been killed in a motorcycle accident, speak to an attorney to find out whether there's a wrongful death action to pursue against a negligent motorist.
