LOUISVILLE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Motorcycle accidents can occur for a number of reasons, including driver negligence. Negligent acts that may result in an accident include the following:

• Swerving in front of a cyclist;
• Cutting off motorcyclists at intersections;
• Failing to follow posted speed limits;
• Failing to yield when appropriate;
• Failing to leave sufficient room between vehicles;
• Failure to see a motorcyclist changing or entering lanes;
• Neglecting to pay appropriate attention to other drivers; and
• Driving under the influence.

Failure to yield and an inability to recognize motorcyclists in traffic are among the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. These crashes may also be caused by motor vehicles drivers who do not exercise proper care when making left-hand turns at intersections. Left-turn accidents are commonly caused by drivers who:

• Misjudge the motorcyclist’s speed or distance;
• Fail to see the motorcyclist;
• Panic and stop in the motorcyclist’s path; and
• Rely on the judgment of another driver, who also fails to see the motorcyclist.

Motorcyclists have little protection from the elements and other vehicles; therefore, injuries sustained in an accident can be serious and life-threatening and may include the following:

• Bone fractures;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Brain damage;
• Loss of limbs;
• Death;
• Severe head trauma;
• Neck injuries;
• Disfigurement; and
• Paralysis.

At Morgan & Morgan, our Louisville motorcycle accident attorneys are familiar with laws governing motorcycles and have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies. We have access to the top experts, including accident reconstructionists and medical experts. By working with these individuals, our attorneys have established a successful track record of results in recovering compensation for injured motorcyclists, including a $6.5 million motorcycle accident verdict.

Motorcycle Accident Injury Claims

If the motorcyclist was not at-fault, they may be able to seek damages from the party negligent in causing the crash. Motorcyclists do not have to pass an injury threshold to seek compensation for damages, which may include medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Insurance Negotiations

After an accident, your attorney may contact the negligent party’s insurance company to negotiate a settlement for costs incurred as a result of the accident. He or she will leverage information collected to recover compensation for your expenses. If negotiations with insurance companies are unsuccessful or unsatisfactory, you may be able to pursue legal action against the negligent party with the help of your attorney.

Negligence

Motorcycle accident lawsuits fall under the category of personal injury, which in turn is based on the theory of negligence. In other words, your attorney will have to prove that the other driver in the accident was at fault because he or she failed to exercise a reasonable standard of care. In order to do so, your attorney will conduct an investigation to learn more about the incident, including whether the other driver followed traffic laws, paid attention to his or her surroundings, was driving under the influence, etc.

Product Liability

In some cases, a defect in your car, or the other party’s car could have led to the accident. If so, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the car or its parts to recover compensation for your injuries. In these circumstances, the attorney will have to conduct an investigation to study the car and determine whether it had any defects prior to the accident. He or she will work alongside forensic experts to determine whether:

1. The defective motorcycle or part was “unreasonably dangerous.”
2. The motorcycle was being operated as intended.
3. The motorcycle’s performance had not changed since its initial purchase. Some examples of what defects you may be able to file a product liability case for defective tires, brakes, accelerators, and defective fuel systems.

Wrongful Death

If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may have recourse to recover compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. An attorney can help the family of the deceased prove the negligence of the other driver was the cause of the victim’s death.

In negotiations or litigation against an insurance company or negligent party, the attorneys in our office may be able to help you recover compensation for the following:

Past and Future Medical Expenses: Victims can file to receive compensation for emergency visits, hospital care, surgery, and more if the injuries were directly related to the accident.

Lost Wages: Motorcycle accident victims can claim compensation for wages they could have earned if the accidents hadn’t taken place. Victims can recover compensation for the period of time they had to be away from work to recover.

Pain and Suffering: Motorcyclists may file a lawsuit to claim compensation to combat their pain and suffering after the accident. To determine whether the victim requires compensation, factors such as the nature of the injury, along with the duration and extent of pain, will be considered.

Mental Anguish: Victims and families may also be awarded compensation for the emotional pain they had to face after the incident. Emotional suffering includes feelings of fright, embarrassment, nervousness, worry, and grief.

Loss of Consortium: The spouse of the victim can file a separate claim for loss of marital benefits, including companionship, sexual relations, affection, and comfort.

If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. To find out what a Louisville motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to do for you, fill out our free case evaluation form today.