Cincinnati Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Everyone on the road can experience an accident, but motorcycle riders tend to be the most vulnerable. This gives the rest of the drivers the responsibility to watch out for motorcycles and respect their right to be on the road. If a driver becomes negligent and causes an accident, they are financially liable for the damages and injury. If you are a motorcycle driver who has sustained injury from a road accident that wasn’t your fault, then you deserve compensation for not just the medical bills and lost wages, but ideally for pain and suffering. If you are a victim of an accident that you didn’t cause, a Cincinnati motorcycle accident lawyer is here to help. Call Young, Reverman, & Mazzei at 513-854-8885, or fill out an online contact form. We are willing and able to get you and your loved one the compensation you deserve.

Why Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

If you have sustained severe injuries in a motorcycle accident, you could be looking at months or even years of recovery. You may be unable to go back to work, leaving you in a situation where you are unable to pay your medical and therapy bills and even provide for your loved ones. In such a condition, the last thing you want is the stress of dealing with insurance companies which are almost always hesitant when it comes to compensation. A reputable Cincinnati, Ohio, motorcycle accident lawyer will take on the hurdle and deal with any involved parties to ensure you are paid. This way, you can focus more on your recovery and loved ones. Personal injury lawyers who specialize in motorcycle accidents have the skills, experience, and knowledge required to evaluate a case properly. They will know how to show insurance companies that you were not to blame for the accident. They will document both past and future expenses so that you don’t miss out on any needed compensation. The legal professionals will ideally work with your insurance provider to ensure that they pay any personal injury protection coverage under your policy and also pay any uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. If your claim reaches a point where it goes to Cincinnati court, the attorney will also be there to fight for your rights, doing all they can to get a favorable judgment or verdict. With a reputable attorney, you have better chances of being compensated that taking the case on your own.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

Your health and safety should be the primary concern right after being involved in an accident. So, if the accident was severe, go directly to the ER. If the injury is minor or didn’t get hurt, contact the police so that they can make an official accident report. You should also make an effort to ensure that anyone else involved in the accident is attended to. When the authorities arrive, note both their names and badge numbers. Be honest and avoid giving out information that they do not ask for. Only give facts and avoid speculating on the cause of the incident. Ideally, do not make any statement about your injury as it can affect the ability or the amount you will receive in the form of compensation. The next step is to exchange information with the party involved in the crash. You’ll want to take down their names, license plates, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance information. It’s ideally imperative that you take the contact information from any witnesses. Just like with the police, you should avoid making admissions or statements that can affect your argument when making a claim later.   Next, take photographs and videos of the scene including vehicle damage, road conditions, weather conditions, skid marks as well as injuries. If you’re unable to do it, ask a friend or a person at the scene to do it on your behalf. Avoid waiting for long as the evidence will only be lost after the vehicles are moved from the scene and the area is cleaned up. Even if you feel you haven’t sustained a severe injury, it is wise to consult your physician. There are some symptoms that may not be immediately apparent, but can really affect your life in the future. Also, getting instant treatment is essential in proving that your injuries were as a result of the accident and not another reason. After this, get in touch with a car accident lawyer. Chances are you will be offered a settlement from the insurance company right after the accident. Avoid speaking to these parties and allow your attorney to handle it. You’ll want them to review the settlement offer to determine if it is fair or not. Making haste decision may leave you with money that’s not adequate for your bills or looking after your family as you recover.

What Are The Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Understanding why motorcycle accidents happen is essential for avoiding them. Most of these collisions are avoidable and it all comes down to the rider knowing their motorcycle and how it operates. In this section, we are going to take a look at some of the causes of motorcycle wrecks with the aim of helping you avoid them in the future:

Left Turns

Many motorcycle wrecks happen when a vehicle makes a sudden left turn in front of a motorcyclist. This usually happens when the motorcycle is passing a car or driving through an intersection. While the car driver is likely to be okay, the same cannot be said about the rider, due to their exposure to the elements.

Head-On Collisions

These are especially fatal when a rider collides with a car. Head-on collisions often happen at high speeds, making them even more fatal. To avoid being involved in such a condition, always ensure you drive to the right, read the road ahead, ride off the road and avoid speeding.

Lane Splitting

Accidents are likely to happen when a motorcycle rider splits lanes in order to drive between stopped or slow-moving traffic. Accidents occur mostly due to the close proximity of the vehicles to the motorcycles, lack of the driver’s anticipation of someone passing them and also due to the reduced space the rider has.  Keep in mind that lane splitting, in addition to putting you at risk of an accident, it is illegal. That means if you get into an accident due to lane splitting, chances are you won’t get compensation.

Poor Road Conditions

These include potholes, road debris, inclement weather as well as the lack of ideal road signage.

Unsafe Lane Switching

There are drivers who don’t check their blind spots when switching lanes and this can lead to a collision.

Speeding

While it’s thrilling to have a fast motorcycle, it doesn’t mean that you should always drive at high speeds. Speeding increases the chances of wrecking, especially in roads that aren’t meant for fast riding.

Impaired Driving

Driving while drunk or under the influence is another major cause of motorcycle and vehicle accidents in general. Alcohol tends to affect judgment, control and reaction time while on the road.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Cincinnati Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

As with any personal injury case, the cost depends on how much the party at fault ends up paying. With a firm like Young, Reverman & Mazzei, the amount to pay will be a certain percentage of what you receive in damages. Simply put, we work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay a cent unless you win. All the costs involved in a case including court fees will be paid from your settlement.

How is Fault Determined In a Motorcycle Wreck in Ohio?

The party at fault in a motorcycle accident isn’t always obvious. Also, a thorough investigation can take anywhere from weeks to months and even years. However, in most cases, the car or truck driver is found to be at fault and not the rider. Ohio has a comparative negligence system in regard to vehicle damages, financial responsibility, and other losses. This implies that the party at fault is responsible for compensating the individual who sustained injury and suffered losses. However, if both are found to be at fault, then they’ll be eligible for damages based on percentages. So, if you are 10% liable for the wreck, then you are eligible for 90% of the compensation. If you have sustained injury or suffered any damage in a wreck, you can seek compensation via any of the following methods:

• File a personal injury lawsuit in a court
• File a claim with your insurance company
• File a 3rd-party claim with the insurance company of the party at fault.

It can be hard to determine the best route for your case, and that’s why it’s advisable to seek advice from a personal injury attorney.

How Long Does it Take to Settle a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

There’s no specific duration, but reputable lawyers at Young, Reverman & Mazzei work hard to ensure your claim is resolved in the least time possible, allowing you to get back to your life. If both parties agree on who’s at fault, the case can be resolved quickly as the only remaining question is the compensation amount. However, if there’s an issue in accepting liability, then the case may end up in court, which tends to take long with some cases taking years. Our team aims to avoid going to court, but if it reaches that point, they will work diligently to ensure the verdict is in your favor.

Should I Accept a Settlement Offer From The Insurance Company?

It is never a good idea to accept a settlement offer without having it evaluated by your lawyer first. Insurance providers know that you have sustained severe injury and will get medical bills and other expenses that you may find hard to cover. They know that you need money instantly and will use this opportunity to take advantage of low-balling. However, an experienced attorney in Cincinnati, OH will be able to tell whether the offer is a fair estimation of both the past and future expenses. They will work to ensure you get fair compensation from the party at fault.

What Types of Damages Can I Claim in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

There are 4 types of damages in motorcycle accident cases. These include:

Past & future medical expenses

These include your treatment and also medical equipment as well as renovations done to your home to accommodate any disability that you may have suffered.

Past & future lost wages

These can ideally include lost income if you have to work for fewer hours or do a job that pays lower than before.

Pain & suffering

You are ideally eligible for compensation for pain suffered as a result of the accident as well as a loss of quality of your life.

Loss of Consortium

Your loved ones can ideally claim damages for things like loss of your companionship due to the accident. However, this depends on an array of factors such as marital status.

Contact the Cincinnati Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Young, Reverman & Mazzei for a Free Consultation

We are aware that you have suffered injury and loss from the accident and need time to recover and focus on your loved ones. We also know you are worried about your ability to get back to work and how you’re going to cover the medical bills and even provide for your loved ones. You don’t have to accept suffering due to the negligence of another party. Contact us today online or at 513-854-8885 for legal advice today!