What to do if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident
If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle accident, it is important to see a physician to document injuries and obtain medical treatment as soon as possible. It is also important to contact a lawyer to help you submit your claim to ICBC and ensure you receive a fair amount based on your unique circumstances and the facts surrounding your case.
Navigating the legal process on your own is complex and can be stressful. Involving an ICBC claims assistance lawyer from the beginning will ensure all deadlines are met and that you fully understand the claims process from start to finish. Our lawyers can evaluate your situation and work on your behalf to obtain fair and reasonable compensation for your injuries.
Motorcycle Accident injuries: What You Need to Know
Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable motorists on the roads. Due to their small size relative to other motorized vehicles, they are often not seen by other drivers until it is too late. Negligent drivers who lack awareness of the motorcycle can cause serious injuries or death of the riders of these comparably light weight vehicles. The absence of a protective metal frame and airbags puts a motorcyclist at an additional disadvantage. Often, a helmet, footwear and apparel are a rider’s only hope in surviving a serious accident.
Determining the cause of a motorcycle accident early on can be critical to the success of the claim for compensation. At Spraggs Law, we have a team of investigators who help gather evidence to prove what happened in the accident.
Some common causes of accidents involving motorcyclists include:
- Failure to see the motorcyclist;
- Entering the motorcyclist’s lane at any time;
- Misjudging the speed or distance of the motorcycle;
- Passing a motorcycle too closely; and
- Trying to share a lane with a motorcycle.
More often than not, it is the car or truck driver that is at fault in a collision with a motorcyclist. Other conditions that could contribute to a motorbike accident include:
- Road hazards, such as dirt, debris and potholes;
- Wet road conditions;
- Mechanical failure or defect of either vehicle; and
- Mechanical aspects of a bicycle.
The design of a motorcycle, with a standard transmission, requires significant skill to operate. Unlike a car or truck, a motorcyclist handles the front and back brakes independently and body weight is used to balance and take turns. Both hands and feet must each operate different controls, including secondary controls such as the lights and horn.
In accidents where a motorcyclist is found to be partially at fault, it is usually for the following reasons:
- Failure to obey traffic signs or signals;
- Weaving and lane-splitting; and
- Failure to observe posted speed limits.
If a rider is found to have contributed to the accident, a personal injury judgment can still be awarded, or a settlement obtained with compensation reduced proportionately for any fault of the rider. Where a rider is partially at fault, one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can work to ensure the rider’s compensation is not reduced unfairly.
Contact Us
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, Spraggs Law can help.
We win when our clients win. That’s why we work united to guarantee at least six team members per case. We provide personalized assistance based on your circumstances and inform you of your entitlements—many of which ICBC may not cover without the help of a lawyer.
We understand the financial constraints accident victims face, including a reduced income and uncovered amounts of medical and rehabilitation expenses. That’s why our fee is a percentage of your settlement and is paid only when you collect. Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation.