There’s nothing quite like riding your motorcycle on a beautiful day with all the freedom in the world. As warm weather quickly approaches, more and more motorcyclists will be gearing up for the road. But while these rides can be relaxing and enjoyable, they can also result in serious injury or even prove fatal.
While operating any motor vehicle has its own risks, motorcycles have even more. In fact, fatal accidents on motorcycles occur 28 times more often than in cars. In fact, crashes between a motorcycle and another motor vehicle make up more than 50% of deaths from motorcycle accident. Motorcycles do not offer as much occupant protection as do motor vehicles, and motor vehicles are heavier and bulkier than motorcycles. Therefore, motorcyclist struck by motor vehicles can result in a variety of serious injuries, including:
- Severe skin abrasions (“road rash”)
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Facial fractures/disfigurement
- Limb amputation
When a motorcyclist is involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, most often the driver of the motor vehicle is to blame. This is usually due to the motor vehicle driver failing to see the motorcyclist due to the motorcycle’s smaller profile. Other common causes of motorcyclist crashes include:
- Being hit from behind;
- Lane splitting;
- Blind spots;
- Cars and trucks turning left; and
- Distracted driving
Protecting Yourself from Severe Injury
Unfortunately, nothing can be done to completely eradicate the chance of suffering injuries in a motorcycle crash with another vehicle. However, you can reduce the likelihood of injury and the severity of injury by wearing the proper safety gear. This includes eye protection, durable gloves, proper footwear, leather pants and jackets, and most importantly, a helmet.
Helmets can often be the difference between life and death. Wearing a helmet is 29% effective at preventing death and 67% effective at preventing a traumatic brain injury. Those who fail to wear a helmet are 40% more likely to die from a head injury.
But even those who wear the right safety gear can still suffer injury or even die in a motorcycle crash with a drunk driver.
What Can I Recover?
Those who have suffered a serious injury or have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence may be entitled to compensation for their losses. These damages that may be recovered help with:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Personal attendant care
- Noneconomic damages (i.e., pain and suffering damages)
- Loss of consortium (for spouses)
- Funeral and burial expenses
Each claim is different and depends upon the specific facts of your case. But working with a qualified accident attorney can help to set you up for the best outcome.
The Attorneys at Miller & Tischler, P.C. Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle versus motor vehicle accident, you should not have to be bear the burden alone. When you are already dealing with so much, the last thing that you want to do is to have to worry about tackling the legalities of your situation.
The Michigan personal injury attorneys at Miller & Tischler, P.C. can help you to fight for the compensation that you deserve. We understand the seriousness of your injury and the physical, emotional, and financial hardships that you have endured (and will continue to endure). We will gather the necessary evidence and build a case to help you receive the most optimal outcome. We’ll help you fight for the compensation that you deserve. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!
