Indianapolis Motorcycles Accident Lawyers

Motorcycles are the preferred method of transportation for thousands of people in the Indianapolis area. Not only does riding a motorcycle bring feelings of excitement, but it is also a more efficient and money-saving way to get around town. Unfortunately, those on motorcycles are more vulnerable to injuries in accidents. An Indianapolis motorcycle accident lawyer could help to pursue compensation if you suffered injuries or damages in a collision.

Let Our Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Fight for Your Rights: Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation

A lawyer specializing in personal injury in Indianapolis could explain your rights as a biker and how another driver’s actions violated those rights. They could also take the lead in gathering evidence of the defendant’s fault and seeking out fair compensation for your losses. 

Get the Recovery You Need with the Help of a Skilled Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

The physical injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents are among the most serious on the road.

Even if a rider merely falls to the pavement, this can result in broken bones or concussions. In addition, sliding along the pavement can cause harsh scrapes and road rash. It is also possible that a rider may become trapped under another vehicle or fly into surrounding buildings or traffic. The injuries can range from minor to disabling (broken bones, burns, facial disfigurement, jaw fractures, etc.) to catastrophic injuries (spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, limb amputations, temporary or permanent paralysis, etc.).

Since these physical injuries are often serious, a compensation claim must demand full medical care costs. This includes an ambulance ride, ER care, surgery, hospitalization, and physical rehabilitation.

However, a case that only demands payments for physical injuries likely leaves thousands of dollars on the table. At-fault drivers must provide compensation for all damage that they cause. In addition, if a biker now experiences emotional traumas or mental health concerns connected to the incident, a defendant must provide payments for these changes in quality of life.

Additionally, defendants must provide compensation for lost income if a rider cannot return to work or has suffered a permanent injury.

An Indianapolis motorcycle accident lawyer could help to pursue appropriate compensation following a crash. 

We Help You Understand Liability and Shared Fault

The simple fact is that all travelers on Indianapolis roads have a duty to protect bikers just as they must protect riders in cars, trucks, or pedestrians. It follows that they will be liable for any damage that they cause in an accident. Therefore, the most important part of a compensation claim or lawsuit after an accident is proving that another party breached this duty.

It can include:

• violations of traffic laws, such as speeding, tailgating, or failing to yield or
• simple carelessness that resulted in a collision.

A seasoned Indianapolis motorcycle accident attorney could help to gather the evidence that indicates a defendant’s fault for an accident. 

However, when discussing liability in Indiana, we must discuss shared fault. This concept is especially important considering the state’s rule concerning modified comparative negligence.

Under Indiana Code § 34-51-2-5, defendants may argue that a biker shared some or all of the responsibility for a crash. Making this argument successful will reduce the liability of an at-fault driver. Despite this, the idea that a person on a motorcycle accepted the risks that may result from an accident is not a valid defense.

A motorcycle crash lawyer in Indianapolis could help to demonstrate that another driver was the sole responsible party for an incident. 

We’ll Make Sure Your Claim Falls Within the Statute of Limitations

The law states that there is a limited time to bring a case to court following a traffic collision, which is called the statute of limitations.

According to Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, the statute of limitations for all accident cases is two years. It means that parties must demand compensation from an at-fault driver no more than two years from the date of the collision.

While the statute of limitations is a court rule that determines how long a person has to file a lawsuit, it may also play a role in controlling demands for compensation through an insurance settlement. For this reason, injured individuals must act quickly to protect their rights following a motorcycle accident in Indianapolis. 

Why Choose Us as Your Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident Lawyers?

Obtaining proper compensation following a motorcycle accident may seem like an impossible task. Fortunately, an Indianapolis motorcycle accident attorney may be able to help. From day one, an attorney could take the lead in a case to seek the compensation people deserve.

Investigating a Motorcycle Collision

This process can start immediately. An attorney can fully investigate the crash and why it occurred. It may include visiting the scene, obtaining a police report, and talking with witnesses. It may even involve hiring an accident reconstruction expert to learn more about the crash in rare situations.

Calculating the Value of Your Claim

Another benefit of hiring a motorcycle accident attorney in Indianapolis concerns measuring how the event has impacted a rider’s life. It is essential to contact doctors’ offices, hospitals, and even the injured person’s place of work to gather the necessary evidence to calculate the economic costs of a motorcycle accident.

Our motorcycle crash attorneys at Yosha Cook & Tisch law firm can take every necessary step to pursue a case for its appropriate value while allowing riders to focus on making their best recoveries. 

Handling Settlement Negotiations

Another immediate benefit of having an experienced Indianapolis lawyer by your side concerns the insurance companies. These companies will work to close out claims quickly. For a rider’s insurance company, this could result in faster payments of some medical bills. However, for the other driver’s company, it is best to take caution when talking with their agents. They may attempt to collect an official statement concerning the crash or offer a token sum to end the case. It is understandable to feel overwhelmed.

Fortunately, we can protect your case against these tactics. In fact, as soon as a biker hires a lawyer, the insurance companies cannot directly contact the rider.

Attorneys also take the lead in settlement negotiations. Most motorcycle accident cases end with an insurance settlement, so it is important to approach these talks from a position of strength. This includes understanding the law, in-depth knowledge of the case, and knowing how much the case is worth. With this knowledge, your Indianapolis motorcycle accident lawyer could help you pursue and obtain an appropriate settlement.

Contact an Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Case for Free

Bikers enjoy the same rights on the road as all other travelers. This includes the ability to demand compensation for their losses when another motorist is at fault for a crash. These payments can often cover the costs of medical treatment, emotional traumas, and lost wages.

An Indianapolis motorcycle accident lawyer stands ready to fight for you. We can fully investigate the incident, gather evidence that indicates the defendant’s fault, and file a claim to recover the appropriate payments from all liable parties. In most cases, this could result in a fair settlement without needing to go to court. However, our motorcycle crash attorneys in Indianapolis will take your case to court and fight it. Contact an Indianapolis motorcycle accident attorney today to learn about your legal options. 

Indianapolis Motorcycle Accidents: FAQs

1. What are the causes of motorcycle accidents in Indianapolis?

Most Indiana and Indianapolis motorcycle crashes happen because drivers fail to see or yield to the motorcycle. Besides traffic law violations – speeding and lane splitting being among the most frequent – motorcycle accidents are also caused by aggressive driving, carelessness, driving under the influence, or failure to heed weather conditions. Riding motorcycles in the rain – and driving vehicles for that matter – is risky, so all traffic participants need to be extra careful.

2. What are some common damages an Indianapolis motorcycle crash victim can claim?

With the help of an Indiana motorcycle accident attorney, bike collision victims can claim several types of damages:

• Property damages
• Medical bills and the costs of future medical treatments
• Loss of wages and of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including mental anguish and therapy sessions related to the traumatic event
• Loss of companionship
• Other damages

3. What should I know about Indiana’s motorcycle helmet laws?

Indiana does not enforce a universal helmet law. Only riders and passengers under 18 are required by law to wear a helmet and eye protection. Also, the state laws demand that riders operating a motorcycle with a learner’s permit must wear a helmet (IC 9-21-10-9). 

On the other hand, wearing a helmet can save your life on the road, so we encourage all motorcycle riders to invest in certified helmets and wear them every time they go on the road.

4. What should I do after a motorcycle collision in Indianapolis?

Find a safe spot if the accident was minor, and you can move. However, the state law requires you to remain at the scene and avoid moving the vehicle. Just as you would do in any car accident case, call the police and an ambulance, take photos of the crash scene, try getting witnesses’ contact details, and call your bike accident attorney in Indianapolis. Since Indiana works with the shared fault doctrine, it is best to avoid talking to the other party or parties involved in the collision. Instead, have your attorney at the scene first. Then, you can inform your insurance company at the advice of your legal representative.