As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, there are more motorcyclists on the road. Unfortunately, this also means an increase in motorcycle accidents. Cyclists are more difficult to spot on crowded roads and careless driving or distracted driving can cause damaging accidents. Because cyclists are not sheltered by a larger vehicle, these accidents usually result in more serious of damages. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident, you might consider hiring a car accident attorney for the following reasons.
To further investigate the accident
Accident occur. Sometimes, they are just an accident. Other times, however, they are caused by drinking and driving, distracted driving, or other illegal driving actions. In most cases, the cyclist has the right of way. It is the driver of the vehicle?s responsibility to check all mirrors and points of view, before switching to another lane. They should also be paying close enough attention to the road at all times, to locate a cyclist, before an accident is caused.
In 2013, 4,668 people died in motorcycle crashes, down 6.4% from 4,986 in 2012, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report. Further investigations of the cyclist accidents that do occur are important in reducing future motorcycle accidents. When the specific actions that contribute to an accident are identified and disclosed, fewer motorcycle accidents tend to occur. Your car accident attorney can help with investigation efforts.
To protect the cyclists rights
In most cases, the motorcyclist has the right of way. This means that if an accident occurs, it is the fault of the person operating the vehicle. Because motorcycle accidents often result in some type of medical damages, reimbursement and coverage of medical expenses needs to be figured out in court. A car accident attorney or personal injury attorney can help evaluate medical needs and any expected future medical costs. Other costs will have to be taken into account, including time off work, repair costs, and pain and suffering costs.
Personal injury lawyers are familiar with auto accidents and motorcycle accidents. They often take all of the details into account, including the damages occurred and average personal injury settlement amounts and come up with the most realistic lawsuit price. While a judge or jury can usually establish an amount, it is important to come to a pre settlement amount, as many cases are settled pretrial. Approximately 95% to 96% of personal injury cases are settled pretrial. It usually makes more sense financially for both parties to keep the case out of trial.
To suggest additional repercussion consequences
While those injured by a person drinking and driving tend to want compensation for their damages and injuries sustained, they also want to prevent it from happening to someone else. An important part of obtaining an auto accident lawyer is that they are essentially representing more than you. While they are covering your interests and will ensure that you get what is deserved, they are also looking for ways to prevent it from occurring again. For example, if alcohol is involved in the motorcycle accident, the car accident lawyer might recommend alcohol treatment, as well. While this does not make your injury any better, you can walk away knowing that you are reducing the chances of it occurring again.
Motorcyclists take a lot of risks when they ride on open roads. In 2013, motorcyclists were about 26 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled and five times more likely to be injured. The problem tends to lie with those operating automobiles. If you or a loved one was severely injured in a motorcycle accident at the cause of a motor vehicle operator, you are likely to find many beneficial reasons to hire an auto accident attorney. Your car accident attorney will play many roles in your case, including further investigation into the case, to protect motorcyclists rights, and to prevent it from happening again, to someone else.
