Each driver is responsible for operating their vehicle safely by paying attention to the road and reasonably avoiding endangering or harming fellow motorists.
You should contact a South Bend motorcycle accident attorney if you were injured in a collision while riding a motorbike. Your injuries might deserve compensation if another person’s negligence caused them.
To recover compensation, you must demonstrate that the other driver failed to operate their vehicle reasonably safely and that their carelessness was the cause of both the accident and your resulting injuries. This could be made substantially easier with guidance from a talented personal injury lawyer in South Bend, Indiana.
Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Motorcycle Crash Attorneys in South Bend, IN
If you or a loved one was hurt in a collision that was the fault of another motorist, a South Bend motorcycle accident lawyer at Yosha Law Firm can help you hold that person accountable. Our law firm will assist you in achieving justice and monetary reparation for your losses, including medical costs, pain, suffering, and lost wages. Furthermore, we offer a free consultation to help you learn more about your legal options regarding filing a claim or a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in South Bend, Indiana?
Many motorcycle wrecks in South Bend and the rest of Indiana directly result from limited visibility.
The relatively small profile of a motorbike and its maneuverability make it easy to be out of a driver’s line of sight. Furthermore, the small size of a motorcycle also causes some drivers to underestimate the space allowed between their vehicle and the bike.
For the reasons mentioned above, many motorcycle collisions involve a car or truck striking the side or back of the bike. Following too closely, improper lane changes and failure to yield the right of way are common causes of collisions between motorcyclists and other vehicle operators. As a result, under Indiana Code §9-21-10-6, it is illegal for any vehicle to deprive a motorcycle of full use of the lane.
Unfortunately, a distracted or negligent driver failing to operate their vehicle safely is the cause of many accidents with motorcyclists. In such cases, working with a skilled South Bend motorcycle collision lawyer could help an injured biker hold the negligent driver accountable for the harm they inflicted.
The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries for Which You Might Have a Claim
Motorcycle injuries can be particularly catastrophic and are often unique from common car accident injuries. The inherent lack of safety features or physical barriers around the operator leads to the biker often being propelled from the motorcycle.
Furthermore, due to the motorcycle being a two-wheeled vehicle with limited stability, bikes and their operators often collide at awkward angles or skid along the road during an accident.
The injuries suffered by motorbike riders are typically far more severe than injuries incurred by a person in an enclosed vehicle. Obviously, motorcycles lack the safety features that cars offer, such as seat belts, airbags, reinforcements, hi-tech braking systems, advanced computers, etc.
The following are some of the most frequent harms suffered by the victims of motorcycle accidents:
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Burn wounds,
- Disfigurement, scars, etc.
- Fractures or broken bones,
- Spinal cord damage,
- Amputations,
- Temporary or permanent paralysis, etc.
Our South Bend motorcycle accident lawyers are familiar with the grave injuries that can arise from a motorbike accident. We are dedicated to assisting bike crash victims and their families in receiving the full amount of compensation they are due.
In some cases, medical coverage may be limited under a motorcycle policy. Some injuries may not be fully covered or covered based on the operator’s use of the bike. In that instance, seeking recovery from a negligent driver becomes critical.
Furthermore, public perception of motorcycles as inherently more dangerous than standard vehicles can lead to difficulties during recovery. A jury, for example, may be less prone to grant a full recovery, believing the motorcyclist is partially responsible for their harm. Convincing a jury otherwise may require an experienced South Bend motorcycle wreck attorney to fight in your corner.
What Recoverable Damages Could You Seek in a Motorbike Accident Claim?
Damages available to successful plaintiffs come in two forms
- The first is known as economic damages, which cover medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and property damage.
- Secondly, non-economic damages refer to losses not directly tied to bills and receipts. Non-economic damages provide financial relief for the pain, suffering, and emotional turmoil related to the accident.
These compensatory damages are designed to make an injured party “whole.”
After a motorbike accident, you can seek compensation by filing an auto insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider or your own insurer.
On your behalf, our South Bend motorcycle injury lawyers will deal with any correspondence with the insurance provider, including negotiating the specifics of your payout.
You could be able to receive compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses, including surgery, Inpatient stays, medication, physical therapy, etc.,
- Lost current wages and future income
- Property damage
- Wrongful death.
Your South Bend motorbike accident attorney will decide if it is in your best interest to launch a lawsuit to help you acquire compensation if the insurance company is unwilling to pay you reasonable damages. They will also decide whether there is insufficient compensation available through an insurance claim.
Among the additional damages, accessible through a personal injury claim or lawsuit, are
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of quality of life, etc.
You need to concentrate on healing and returning to your normal life after the accident, so our skilled motorbike accident attorneys will work to uncover all potential sources of compensation.
Get in touch with us immediately to learn how much your case is worth and how we may assist you in obtaining the maximum damages you are entitled to!
Why Work with Our Yosha Law Firm South Bend Motorcycle Accident Attorneys?
Motorcycle accidents are often caused by careless drivers who do not know or understand the rules of the road. Fortunately, injured motorcyclists have legal rights and remedies to seek compensation for their losses – which is where a good South Bend motorbike accident attorney comes in.
A lawyer with experience in motorcycle law could help you file a liability claim against negligent parties after an accident. This ensures that you get just compensation from insurance companies while helping your attorney build a compelling case on your behalf.
In serious cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, many lawyers also pursue personal injury lawsuits against at-fault parties to recover additional damages beyond what insurers will offer to settle the claim.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you must call the police immediately to file an official report. This is just one of many steps you should take after suffering serious injuries in motorcycle accidents. An injury lawyer in South Bend, IN, could further help you with the following services.
Establish Liability for Your South Bend Bike Crash
To prove negligence, your South Bend motorcycle accident lawyer must establish that the negligent person failed to use reasonable care, that this negligence led to the accident, and that the accident resulted in your injuries.
With an experienced legal professional on your side, you can rest assured that the people responsible for causing your injuries are held accountable.
Get All the Details of Your Accident
Your lawyer will investigate the cause to determine who should be held liable for what happened. They could also collect evidence to support your claims and fight for maximum compensation from those responsible.
Calculate the Value of Your Damages
A good PI attorney in South Bend will aggressively pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and future needs (e.g., physical therapy). Serious injuries caused by motorcycle accidents can lead to huge medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that might overwhelm riders and their families. Fortunately, injured motorcyclists have legal rights to seek compensation from negligent parties.
Negotiate Settlement
The insurance company aims to settle claims for as little money as possible. The more evidence we gather, the better your chances of winning a good settlement that reflects the costs of your injuries and other losses. Your legal representative will fiercely negotiate the proper settlement for you or take your case to court if necessary.
Respect Indiana’s Statue of Limitations for Personal Injury
In cases involving serious injury or fatalities, it is often wise to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against negligent parties so you can seek additional compensation beyond insurance payouts. Lawsuits must be filed within certain time limits known as “statutes of limitations.” Generally, a negligence victim in a South Bend motorcycle crash has two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit in Indiana.
Fight for You Until the End
A South Bend, IN, motorbike crash lawyer could help accident victims through the legal aftermath following a serious motorcycle crash. They could also provide valuable resources and information about how insurance works in your state.
If you have been hurt because of someone else’s negligence, do not hesitate to seek compensation for your losses – it could make all the difference in helping you get back on your feet after a life-changing accident.
A negligence victim should not be deterred by the fact that they have a pre-existing injury. Indiana law stipulates that a wrongdoer is responsible for these pre-existing injuries and must accept the plaintiff as they find them. The plaintiff shall be compensated for any damages caused by a motorbike accident.
Our law firm handles everything for you when you hire one of our South Bend, Indiana, motorcycle accident lawyers to handle your case. We always prepare all of our cases as though we could go to trial at any time since our firm has a lot of trial experience and plenty of wins under its belt.
Contact A South Bend Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today!
Your injuries and their related bills may be fully recoverable with the help of a South Bend motorcycle accident lawyer. Building a solid case and having legal knowledge and experience on your side can be valuable assets.
Calling our office is the easiest way to schedule a free consultation. We can arrange a meeting to discuss the merits of your claim today!