As more motorcyclists begin hitting the road this year, increased safety awareness couldn’t come at a better time. According to the NHTSA, more than 80,000 riders are injured each year, and 2018 saw nearly 5000 motorcycle fatalities—a fatality rate 27 times higher than that of passenger car crashes. That’s even more of a significant number considering motorcycles only account for 3 percent of all registered vehicles!
Many times, motorcycle injuries occur because of someone else’s negligence. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, how do you know whether you have a valid claim for personal injury compensation? Here are some thoughts to consider.
If your personal injury accident involved another vehicle, it’s possible the driver either failed to see you, was distracted, or was otherwise impaired. If so, the evidence will usually point to it. If possible, have someone take photos of the accident scene and the damage. Be sure to obtain a copy of the final police report, along with any eyewitness testimony of the crash. Even if you believe you played a role in the accident, you may still be eligible for compensation if it can be shown that the other driver was more at fault.
If your motorcycle accident occurred independently of other vehicles, don’t automatically assume the crash was one hundred percent your fault—especially if you can’t point to a specific natural cause, such as the weather or slick roads. Sometimes accidents happen because of a flaw in the manufacturer’s design or a failed part. A thorough examination of the crashed motorcycle may reveal a vulnerability that caused your crash, and if so, you may have a legitimate claim against the company that made the motorcycle or designed the failed part.
Of course, the best way to know if you have a valid personal injury case after a motorcycle crash is to consult with an experienced attorney—someone who knows the right questions to ask and who knows how to interpret the evidence. Our personal injury attorneys are standing by to help. Call us today for a free initial consultation.
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