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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 only because they lack the protection, but because they are much 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 crash.
Motorcycles are also more vulnerable to an accident since other drivers 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 streets. Because motorcycles aren't as prevalent as regular passenger vehicles, drivers might be less likely to look out for them.
For instance, a motorcycle riding in a driver's blind spot or crossing through an intersection at a 2-way stop might be less likely to be seen by a driver that is only watching for other passenger vehicles.
Because motorcycles are more difficult to detect than other cars, motorcyclists must always drive defensively. Bikers can never assume that other motorists can see them, particularly the motorists of vehicles in front of them. Motorcycle accidents commonly occur when drivers:
What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Injuries?
A motorcycle gives you little protection in a collision. This means your body ends up taking the full force of the impact with another vehicle.
Frequently, this leads to severe and life-altering injuries to motorcycle accident victims. In fact, approximately 5,000 motorcyclists died in crashes in just one recent year.
While motorcycles just make up 3 percent of registered vehicles, motorcycle crashes result in 15 percent of all vehicle crash fatalities. Not every motorcycle accident will lead to death, however it shows the severity these types of crashes cause.
Some typical injuries are:
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 accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation needed to pay for those treatments.
Liability for Galveston Motorcycle Accidents
As these facts suggest, motorcyclists injured in collisions are often the victims of negligence. Every negligence case is made up of four essential elements: a duty, a breach of that duty, an injury caused by the breach, and damages sustained by the plaintiff. Drivers of motor vehicles owe a duty of care to everybody else who uses public thoroughfares. That includes bicyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists-- including motorcyclists.
When a driver breaches that duty by being careless, inebriated, fatigued, or distracted, and ends up causing an accident which results in injury or even wrongful death to another person, the driver may be held civilly liable to the injured party. They can pursue a negligence claim with the assistance of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Galveston.
A motorcyclist wounded in an accident might have a claim if they can demonstrate that another motorist was at fault. When a motorcycle driver has followed all of the traffic laws but is still involved in an accident, odds are that it has been caused by the driver of another vehicle. It could be not seeing the motorcyclist, speeding, being intoxicated, or a combination of the three.
What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Crash?
If You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Crash, immediately contact the authorities to make a report if they are involved in a crash. This is especially true if there is an injury or death.
If immediate medical help is necessary, provide what aid you can, look for assistance, and call emergency medical assistance. If you are the one that is injured, you should seek immediate medical help. Even if your injury appears small and you do not need immediate aid, it is a good idea to seek medical care, as some injuries are not immediately apparent.
Furthermore, at the scene you should collect the contact and insurance details for the other parties. And you also want contact info for independent witnesses, as investigating police officers do not always collect that information.
Call a motorcycle accident attorney soon after the accident. We highly suggest that you do this before speaking with any insurance carrier.
Contact Our Galveston Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
After your accident, aside from speaking with the authorities and receiving any necessary medical attention, you should consult with a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney with experience dealing with motorcycle accidents. Serving victims throughout the Galveston area, the motorcycle crash attorneys at Dunk Law Firm can help you.
Too often, accident victims think 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 providers are unwilling to pay, even when liability and damages are obvious. This is especially accurate when the injuries are significant.
Even when an insurance carrier seems liable, be wary. Many adjusters will try to settle insurance claims quickly. They will urge you to sign an agreement that will let them close the case-- and therefore reduce their exposure.
Even if the deal appears sufficient or even generous, it is important to ensure your legal rights are protected. Talk to an attorney and make 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 complete recovery, you can not be certain that the complete recovery you expect will happen.
In those instances, signing a release of claims too soon can limit your settlement to an amount that is substantially less than what you need or what you legally have a right to recover.
And, obviously, some motorcycle crashes are fatal. If someone 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.
