Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are dangerous roads, recklessness by motor vehicle drivers, and defects in motorcycles and motor vehicles. Pedestrians can also cause motorcycle accidents by entering the roadway unsafely, throwing debris, and engaging in other careless actions.

Despite some believing that motorcyclists are often the cause of accidents, it’s often others who endanger the rider—and, in many cases, cause them to suffer severe injury. If you or a loved one suffered any type of injury during a motorcycle accident, it’s time to ask for help. Hire a Chandler motorcycle accident attorney to lead your case while you recover.

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Riders Are Often the Victims of Others’ Negligence

Motorcycle riders have limited ways to protect themselves, with many touting the importance of wearing helmets. The truth is, though, that riders are often at the mercy of others, starting with those who drive cars, trucks, and SUVs. If these parties act recklessly, riders face a great risk of serious injury.

With this in mind, some of the most common reasons why riders suffer injuries are:

Risky Driving

Operating a motor vehicle is a great responsibility, but you might not know it based on the amount of drivers who:

• Speed, which is one of the acts most associated with accidents
• Don’t allow motorcycle riders to split lanes (despite it often being legal for them to do so)
• Tailgate
• Pull into traffic in front of an oncoming rider
• Do not give riders the right of way
• Ignore or misinterpret traffic signs and signals
• Engage in any other behavior that increases the likelihood of an accident

Riders are more difficult to see. Motor vehicle drivers have a basic duty to look out for riders, check their blind spots, and exercise caution to avoid hitting riders. Of course, many drivers fail to take the most basic steps to avoid accidents.

Impaired Driving

An impairment is “any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities.” When talking about the act of driving, an impaired motorist may be one who:

• Has a health condition that affects their vision, eyesight, or alertness
• Is under the influence of alcohol
• Is under the influence of one or more drugs (even if the drug is legally prescribed)
• Is tired to the point where their ability to drive is affected
• Is overly stimulated by caffeine
• Is in a volatile emotional state

When motorists operate a vehicle while impaired, they put others—including riders—at an unacceptable risk of injury and death.

Vehicle Defects

Tires, brakes, steering components, engines, and other vehicle features must be in working condition. If they are not, the risk of an accident rises significantly.

If a defective component in a motor vehicle or motorcycle results in an accident, an attorney will determine who is liable for the defect.

Dangerous Road Conditions

Because they only have two wheels (and are more prone to tipping over and tossing the rider), motorcycles are more vulnerable to:

• Potholes
• Uneven surfaces in the asphalt
• Cracks in the roadway
• Debris from work zones or other sources
• Dangerously located work zones and other hazards that impede the flow of traffic

Riders can also be seriously injured when defective traffic signals, absent signs, poor lighting, and other hazards lead to collisions. In most cases, the municipality that oversees roadways and general safety is responsible for these road condition-related accidents.

Negligent Pedestrians

Pedestrians may enter the roadway or act in other careless ways that cause riders to be injured. When this happens, the pedestrian is typically liable.

Who Is Financially Responsible for a Rider’s Injuries?

Your lawyer will evaluate the facts of your motorcycle accident to determine who should pay for your damages. Some parties who are often obligated to pay include:

The Person Who Caused the Collision

An injured rider or their affected loved ones may seek compensation directly from the at-fault party when:

• The rider decides to sue (which they may do for a range of reasons)
• The at-fault party does not have any applicable insurance
• The at-fault party’s insurance provider does not offer a fair settlement to the injured rider

While insurance often protects at-fault parties from having to pay, there are circumstances where the at-fault party must be financially responsible for the consequences of their actions.

Insurance Companies

Injured riders often appeal to insurance companies for compensation. This is the point of auto insurance, and it’s why states generally require motor vehicle owners to maintain valid insurance.

As an injured rider, you may file a claim with:

• The insurance provider that covers the at-fault party
• Your own motorcycle insurance provider

State laws, coverage limits, and the insurance status of all parties involved in the accident will influence how you file claims.

Manufacturers of Defective Products

If your accident happened totally or partially due to a defective motor vehicle or motorcycle, you may seek compensation from the negligent manufacturer. You may file an insurance claim with their insurer or sue the manufacturer directly.

Employers

Employers may be liable when their employees cause motorcycle accidents while:

• On their way to work
• In the course of their job
• Running an errand for an employer
• Returning home from work

An employer’s insurance may cover the injured rider’s damages, and the rider may also be eligible to sue that employer in certain circumstances.

It’s not easy to determine who you should seek compensation from or how you should seek that compensation. Allow an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to advise you after the motorcycle collision. They will explain who is liable and actively seek compensation from those liable parties.

Why Attorneys Are a Priceless Resource for Injured Motorcycle Riders 

Riders often suffer severe road rash, brain injuries, and other accident-related ailments that require immediate medical attention. It’s your health, and nothing—including hiring a lawyer—must come before your well-being.

That being said, hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer must be just behind emergency medical care on your priority list. Even as you are receiving medical treatment, you should look for opportunities to:

• Research motorcycle accident lawyers serving your area
• Evaluate those law firms based on case results, client reviews, case experience, and other relevant criteria
• Complete free consultations with the law firms you believe are most qualified to lead your case
• Hire the law firm that is the right fit for you

Motorcycle accident lawyers understand how hectic life is after a collision. These firms make the consultation and intake processes as easy as possible and should not interfere with your recovery process. Don’t wait to find your attorney.

Steps Your Lawyer Will Take to Secure Fair Compensation After Your Motorcycle Accident

As soon as you sign with your law firm, they will immediately:

Step in So Insurers Can’t Violate Your Rights

Your motorcycle accident attorney will immediately become your representative with insurers. This is critically important because:

• Without having to worry about your claim, you’ll have more time for recovery
• Insurance companies too often act in bad faith, trying to take advantage of claimants (to reduce their financial losses)
• Attorneys deal with insurance companies regularly, so they are best suited to handle your claim

Insurance companies have resources (perhaps millions or billions of dollars worth) on their side. Protect yourself by hiring a lawyer.

Secure Evidence of Fault for Your Motorcycle Accident

Another urgent priority is securing evidence of fault for your accident. Your attorney will gather any relevant:

• Video footage
• Photographs of vehicular and motorcycle damages
• Witness accounts
• Police reports

Your lawyer may hire an expert to reconstruct the motorcycle accident, especially if no clear collision video exists.

Evaluate Your Damages

Riders’ damages are often substantial, and many of them will stem from injuries. Your attorney must prove the exact nature of your damages, which means they will obtain the following:

• All medical bills related to the collision and resulting injuries
• Medical professionals’ testimony about your injury types, symptoms, treatment needs, and medical costs
• Any invoices showing the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle
• Testimony from a mental health professional about pain and suffering stemming from your accident
• Bank statements and employment records highlighting professional harm
• Any other evidence that proves the cost of the motorcycle collision

Attorneys understand that their clients suffer in many ways. They will reach out to doctors, motorcycle repair technicians, and anyone else who can help them prove the cost of your accident.

Demand Fair Compensation from Insurers

Assuming you file one or more insurance claims, your lawyer will present their financial demands to liable insurers. These demands will detail the nature of your losses and explain why your lawyer is demanding the sum of money they seek.

Fair compensation means that insurance companies cover:

• The losses you have already experienced
• Losses you are going to experience in the future

You should face no financial hardship because of a motorcycle accident someone else caused. Your lawyer will fight for compensation that ensures you don’t.

Help You Determine Whether to Sue (and File the Lawsuit If You Do)

As your lawyer progresses through the claims process, they’ll get a sense of whether insurance companies are going to offer you fair compensation. If they conclude that insurance companies aren’t going to pay fairly, they’ll speak with you about a lawsuit.

Filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit may:

• Inform liable parties that your attorney is willing to take the steps necessary to secure fair compensation
• Prompt liable parties to negotiate in good faith, where they may not have been before you filed the suit
• Lead to liable parties offering the settlement you deserve

Filing a lawsuit may not result in you receiving a fair settlement offer. That’s OK because your attorney can then proceed to trial.

Every motorcycle accident case unfolds in a different way. Having a lawyer will ensure that, no matter what twists or turns your case takes, you can continue to focus on your recovery without losing sleep about the claim or lawsuit.

Riders Often Suffer Pricy, Lifelong Damages—Here Are Some Common Examples

Your lawyer may discover that you have suffered many damages, and many of them may be quite serious. Some of the damages that injured riders often face are:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income and other professional damages
• Motorcycle repair costs
• The cost of replacing other damaged property
• Disabilities, which can require medical equipment, a new vehicle, home updates, long-term caregiver services, and cause other economic and non-economic harm

Lawyers know they’re solely responsible for getting justice for injured riders. Trust your attorney to demand compensation that sets you up for financial security.

Can an Injured Rider Afford a Lawyer? After All, an Accident Can Cause Great Financial Pressure

You can undoubtedly afford a motorcycle accident lawyer. Attorneys work on contingency, meaning they only receive a fee if you receive compensation.

Reach Out To a Skilled Motorcycle Injury Attorney Today

Find your Chandler personal injury lawyer today. Let them begin fighting for the compensation you deserve, as your case is time-sensitive.

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