If a victim was injured in a motorbike accident, they may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries, as well as any expenditures paid.
The Keating Firm LTD can offer victims a motorcycle accident lawyer in New Albany, Ohio if they contact the office. A lawyer and the entire team can assist a victim in beginning the process of pursuing the compensation they require and deserve from the responsible party.
What Kinds of Damages Am I Entitled to after a Motorcycle Accident?
If an individual has been injured in a motorcycle accident, they may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can compensate victims directly for their cash losses. Compensation for bodily injuries is known as non-economic damages.
The following are just a few examples of the types of damages a victim could be eligible for:
Loss of quality of life: A victim can no longer perform specific chores that they used to (for example, playing a sport or getting ready). Perhaps they require the assistance of another person to get through the day.
Any kind of impairment: Victims may be entitled to fair compensation if the accident resulted in or worsened physical or mental handicap. Even if the handicap is just temporary, this is applicable.
Pain and suffering: This might encompass both physical and mental discomfort as a result of the accident or the injuries sustained.
As an example, if a victim missed work because of an accident, or if a permanent condition prohibits them from working as much as they used to, the victim may be entitled to compensation for these lost wages.
Property damage: Motorcycle replacement or repairs.
Past and future medical bills: Rehabilitative therapy, reconstructive surgery, physician consultations, prescription medicines, and mobility equipment are some examples.
The Keating Firm LTD believes that personal injury victims should not be responsible for the financial consequences of injuries inflicted by someone else. Their attorneys can help motorcycle accident victims recover compensation so that they can focus on their recovery.
When Should a New Albany Motorcycle Accident Victim Seek Help?
It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. The Keating Firm LTD has analyzed numerous motorcycle accident cases and has discovered that the sooner they can hear the facts of a victim's accident, the better their chances of winning a case are.
Furthermore, it's far too easy for a victim to forget crucial details about their motorcycle accident to risk waiting. Witnesses, victims, medical personnel, and police officers may not recall the details of an individual's motorbike accident for weeks or months.
What About Damages for Wrongful Death Claims?
In 2019, 5,014 motorcycle riders were killed in traffic incidents, accounting for 14% of all traffic-related deaths. This is according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's study.
Those who have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident may be eligible for further compensation. They could file a wrongful death lawsuit in this situation. A lawyer from the Keating Firm LTD can provide a victim and their family with the caring and professional assistance they need to get through this tough time.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Accidents involving motorcycles can occur for a variety of reasons, including driver irresponsibility. The following are examples of negligent conduct that could lead to a motorcycle accident:
Cutting off motorcyclists at crossroads
Swerving in front of a cyclist
Failure to obey posted speed limits
Not yielding when necessary
Failure to give adequate space between vehicles
Not noticing a motorcycle moving or joining lanes
Failure to pay adequate attention to other drivers
Driving when inebriated
Motorcycle accidents are mostly caused by failure to yield and an inability to notice motorcyclists in traffic. Motor vehicle drivers who do not exhibit adequate caution when making left-hand turns at junctions may also be to blame for these collisions. This includes drivers who:
Misjudge the motorcycle's speed or distance
Fail to spot the motorcyclist
Panic and brake in the path of the motorcyclist
Rely on the judgment of another driver who also fails to see the motorcyclist
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Since motorcycle riders are vulnerable to the elements and other vehicles, catastrophic injuries received in a motorcycle accident can be serious and life-threatening and may include the following:
Broken bones
Serious head injury
Injuries to the spinal cord
Neck problems
Brain injury
Disfiguration
Limb loss
Paralysis
If a victim was wounded in a motorcycle accident or lost a loved one, they may be entitled to compensation. The Keating Firm's motorcycle attorneys specialize in numerous areas of law and are eager to assist its clients.
Pursuing Legal Action After a Motorcycle Accident
The Keating Firm believes that motorcycle accident victims should be able to recover in peace without having to worry about many of the time-consuming and difficult legal matters. Its attorneys can reduce a victim's legal burden and aggressively defend their rights by:
Free evaluation of a case: The team is always delighted to review callers' problems and explain how they may help them at no cost or commitment to them.
Making a case: A motorcycle accident attorney in Columbus Ohio from the office can investigate the accident and gather evidence to support a client's claim.
Identifying and contacting liable parties: Using the team's investigation skills, they can determine who is financially responsible for a victim's injuries and inform the third party that their client is filing a lawsuit.
Negotiating a settlement: A pre-trial settlement is often speedier than a trial in terms of getting money. The team can meet with the liable party's insurance company to try and get them to pay the amount that the victim needs.
Getting ready for court: If a trial is unavoidable, the personal injury attorneys can help a client prepare for it and even offer legal representation for the client.
Proving a Negligent Driver's Liability
A plaintiff must establish that the defendant was negligent and that this conduct caused the plaintiff's injuries and damages in a motorcycle accident claim. When drivers are on the road, they all have a responsibility to drive with the same skill and care as a fairly cautious motorist would.
The circumstances surrounding the motorcycle accident must be considered when determining whether the defendant met this standard of care.
Weather, road dangers, and traffic are all key factors to consider when deciding on the appropriate level of care. A driver can break the law in a variety of ways, including texting while driving, running a red light, or speeding on a slippery road during a thunderstorm.
In a negligence case, proving that the defendant's failure to act in accordance with the standard of care is critical. Generally, a plaintiff can establish this factor by demonstrating that he or she would not have been harmed if the defendant had acted with reasonable care.
However, in many motor vehicle collision instances, the defense will attempt to place some guilt on the plaintiff. The pure comparative fault doctrine, which allows the jury to evaluate whether the victim was somewhat to blame for the accident, is recognized in Ohio.
If the jury determines that he or she was partially to blame for the car accident, the plaintiff's compensation may be reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault assigned to the victim.
An injured person who wins a negligence case may be entitled to recover a wide range of damages, including medical bills and property damage, as well as lost wages/earning potential and pain and suffering.
It is critical to take legal action as soon as possible because compensation can usually only be sought within a certain time restriction known as the statute of limitations.
Common Parties Who Are Liable
Essentially, it matters less what caused the motorcycle accident when filing a lawsuit than whether a victim has proof that someone else's negligence was to blame. One or more persons may be liable for a victim's injuries, depending on the facts of their case. Common parties who may be held accountable include:
A motorist: The driver of the vehicle that collided with the victim's motorcycle or otherwise caused the accident may be held liable for their injuries.
The local government: Poorly maintained roads or poor road conditions can cause motorcycle accidents. In this instance, the person in charge of maintaining the roadways may be held liable for a victim's injuries and property damage.
Manufacturer: If a defective part on the motorcycle caused the victim's accident, the manufacturer may be held accountable. Additionally, if the manufacturer had encountered similar lawsuits from other riders, the case could then become a class-action lawsuit.
A mechanic: If the mechanic or firm in charge of maintaining the bike offered negligent service, they may be held accountable for a victim's injuries and property damage.
Other New Albany Practice Areas
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Today!
People who have been in a motorbike accident or who have tragically lost a loved one due to the negligence of another motorist may be eligible for compensation. They may contact the firm online to set up a free consultation for personal injury cases. Motorcycle accident victims can discuss their situation and receive legal guidance on how to proceed. The Keating Firm LTD is honored to serve Columbus, Ohio, as well as other communities across the state.