Although any vehicle accident can result in serious or severe injuries, those sustained in motorcycle accidents are often catastrophic. This is because there is nothing that protects the motorcyclists when they are slammed into by a vehicle. At least when an accident victim is in a car or other type of vehicle, the body of that vehicle can act as a buffer or barrier from the impact, but no such protection occurs on a motorcycle. A motorcycle rider is eight times more likely to be injured and 37 times more likely to be killed in a motorcycle accident than the occupant of a vehicle in a crash.

Despite what many non-riders may think, most motorcycle accidents are not caused by motorcyclists but are instead caused by other vehicle drivers. One of the most common statements that an at-fault driver of a motorcycle accident makes is that they did not see the motorcycle. This often occurs because the driver was distracted by something or engaged in some type of distracted driving behavior (such as texting) and slams into the bike. Failing to see the motorcycle can also result in the driver failing to yield the right-of-way to the motorcyclist and hitting the bike.

No matter how it happens, the end result is that the much larger vehicle slams into the unprotected motorcycle rider. Even if the vehicle does not actually make contact with the bike, the motorcyclists can still lose control of the bike in their attempt to not get hit and the bike can crash or fall over, seriously injuring the bike’s driver.

Federal data shows that the most common types of motorcycle crashes that involve another vehicle happen because:

• The vehicle’s driver was speeding
• The vehicle’s driver attempted to take a left turn as the motorcycle was going straight in the other direction and had the right-of-way (This accounts for more than 40 percent of motorcycle crashes).

Approximately two-thirds of all motorcycle crashes are classified as head-on collisions.

Motorcycle Accident Claims

The injuries that a motorcycle accident victim sustains often leave them with permanent disabilities and unable to live the life they had before the crash. Many victims are left with injuries that will require a lifetime of medical care and it is not uncommon for these victims to also require other lifetime services, such as personal care assistance. These injuries often leave them unable to ever return to work.

How do victims and their families survive these overwhelming hardships?

A motorcycle accident lawyer  residents trust can assist in filing a motorcycle accident claim against the responsible driver. Victims can pursue damages for:

• Past, present, and future medical costs. These include all doctor visits, surgeries, rehabs, physical and occupational therapy, medication, medical equipment, and even travel cost to get back and forth to for medical treatment.
• Earnings loss, as well as future income loss
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Permanent disfigurement or scarring
• Property damage