Motorcycle accidents can cause serious and even potentially fatal injuries. We explore the reasons why and who may be liable for a collision below.
Why Motorcycle Crashes Can Be Serious
Motorcycle riders have less protection from a crash than people inside cars and trucks. Without a vehicle frame around them and no airbags to cushion them, riders often take the full brunt of an impact directly to their bodies.
Motorcycles are also smaller than vehicles and drivers may not be looking for them on the road. This means that both the driver and the rider might not have enough time or space to avoid a crash.
Altogether, these factors amount to motorcycle accidents being significantly more dangerous than other types of motor vehicle accidents. In fact, J.D. Power reports that motorcycle accidents have an 80% injury or death rate, and that the chance of a fatality in a motorcycle accident is approximately 30 times higher than in a car accident.
Types of Life-Threatening Injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Crushed or severely broken bones
- Burns and road rash
- Loss of limb
How to Determine Liability
Responsibility for a motorcycle crash depends on what happened. In many cases, negligence plays a role. For example, a driver may be drunk or distracted and fail to pay attention to the road. If a motorcyclist is hit at full speed or thrown from their bike, they can be critically injured.
Other issues could also be at play, like poor road conditions or a defective motorcycle part. Who could be liable may not be clear right away and sometimes, multiple parties share responsibility. This is one reason why a thorough investigation and strong evidence is important.
What Compensation May Cover
Compensation after a motorcycle accident is designed to compensate riders and their families for losses directly related to the collision. Some of these are easy to calculate, like medical bills. Others are harder to quantify, such as emotional trauma or pain and suffering.
There are typically two ways to pursue compensation following a motorcycle crash: either through the potential at-fault party’s insurance company or with a legal claim. If the insurance company denies your claim or does not offer a fair settlement, a lawsuit may be filed to pursue justice through the court system.
When to Reach Out to a New Hampshire or Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The best time to talk to a New Hampshire or Massachusetts motorcycle accident lawyer is as soon as possible after the crash. An attorney can review what happened during the collision and how it impacted your day-to-day life to assess whether you have a possible claim.
At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we’ve spent decades advocating for accident victims and their families. We’re here to guide you through the process of pursuing compensation and accountability when another party’s negligence may have caused your injuries.
Contact us today to schedule your no-cost consultation by calling (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a motorcycle accident injury an emergency?
Not all motorcycle accident injuries are an emergency, but many are. This may be the case if a rider is having trouble breathing after an accident or is experiencing confusion, headache, or vision problems. Any type of severe pain may also indicate a serious injury.
It’s a good idea to get checked out by a doctor after a crash, even if you feel okay. Some critical injuries are hard to identify right away and require diagnostic testing to detect and treat.
What if I felt okay at first but got worse later?
It’s not uncommon for riders to feel okay after a crash, even when they’re seriously hurt. Adrenaline can mask pain and other injuries, which is why it’s so important to be assessed by a medical professional as soon as possible following an accident.
If you didn’t get medical care and notice your symptoms are getting worse over time, you should see your doctor or go to the emergency room right away. Let them know you were in a motorcycle wreck and provide important details like how long ago it was and what your symptoms were then compared to now.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, personal injury lawsuits generally must be filed within three years. For many motorcycle accident cases, that means three years from the date of the crash. Sometimes, there may be exceptions depending on the situation, such as when an injury or its connection to the crash was not clear right away. If you were seriously hurt, talking to a lawyer early can help you understand what deadlines may apply.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, most personal injury claims also generally have a three-year deadline. Missing this could impact your ability to file a claim, so it’s usually best to consult with a qualified attorney soon after your wreck to find out which filing deadlines may apply to your case.
