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Riding motorcycles is a beloved pastime of many Marietta residents. Whether you are cruising along the Muskingum or Ohio River, or heading up Interstate 77 to Cleveland, journeys are always a little more magical from aboard a motorcycle. If you maintain your bike, wear protective gear, and drive responsibly, you may believe you will be safe while out on the road. However, nothing can protect you from the actions of a reckless driver.
Motorcycle accidents happen in an instant. A speeding vehicle can clip you and send you out of control, or even hit you directly. Oftentimes, accidents of this nature can cause life-altering injuries and even death. If you are injured on the road because of another driver’s negligence, a Marietta motorcycle accident lawyer will fight to get you the money you deserve. A dedicated personal injury attorney can negotiate with the other driver’s insurance carrier to address any physical, emotional, and financial harm you are facing.
When 4,100 pounds of steel crash into a motorcyclist, the person most likely to suffer catastrophic injuries is the one astride the bike. Although road gear such as helmets offers some protection, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcycle riders are killed in crashes at 28 times the rate of those in auto wrecks, and are four times more likely to be injured. Some common motorcyclist injuries are:
Because of the severity of motorcycle accidents, riders often face costly medical care, rehabilitation, and traumatic emotional damages from the near-death experience. A Marietta attorney can explain to a jury why an injured motorcyclist should be fairly compensated and help gather evidence that demonstrates a defendant’s responsibility for the accident.
For a plaintiff to prevail in a personal injury claim, he or she must prove that the motorist who caused the accident was negligent. Everyone operating a motor vehicle is expected to drive safely so that nobody else is harmed. When a motorist drives carelessly, he or she is breaching this expectation. If the motorist’s careless acts cause an accident and a motorcyclist is injured, a seasoned Marietta attorney can help prove a defendant’s negligence.
Insurance adjusters do not work in the best interests of motorcycle accident victims. Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible and hope people making claims will take the first settlement offer.
Adjusters often argue that the injured person was partly responsible for the accident. If this is true, it can lower the settlement offer just as a jury would. Ohio is a modified comparative negligence state where a defendant will only pay the percentage of a settlement that matches the percentage of blame (as long as it is less than 50 percent.)
Some attorneys may encourage clients to take lowball offers in order to avoid trial. However, our Marietta motorcycle crash attorneys will fight tirelessly to recover a fair and comprehensive settlement amount, even if it means going to court. We will guide injured parties from start to finish through the legal process and will not shy away from big insurance companies.
Our Marietta attorneys build cases by thoroughly assessing all the evidence connected to a motorcycle accident. Police reports, witness statements, cell phone videos, and surveillance cameras can help establish what happened and who is at fault. Medical reports give an attorney an idea of how much compensation an injured motorcyclist might need.
If a reckless motorist crashes into you and causes your injuries, it is important to know that you do have legal options. Do not converse with the insurance adjuster before you speak to an attorney. Any information you share could be used against you.
After assessing your case, a Marietta motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue legal action against those responsible. While financial compensation cannot make up for what happened to you, recovering damages from those responsible can help you cover costs related to your accident. Additionally, our team can negotiate with insurers and take your case to trial if the settlement offer is insufficient. Contact our firm today to discover your legal options.
To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law
