California has the highest number of registered motorcycles in the country, with the largest population and the highest number of motorcycles. On the other end of the spectrum, states like Rhode Island, Delaware, and the District of Columbia have fewer than 25,000 registrations.
It’s difficult to find data on the number of motorcycle accidents that happen in the United States each year, as many of these accidents go unreported. However, there are reliable statistics available that can give insight into how motorcyclists compare to other drivers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 30% of motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents in 2019 were driving without a valid motorcycle license. In 2019, motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents had a higher rate of alcohol impairment than drivers of other types of vehicles (29% on motorcycles, 20% on cars, 19% on light trucks, and 2% on heavy trucks). Additionally, 42% of motorcyclists who died in single-vehicle accidents in 2019 were alcoholics.
In 2019, 4,444 motorcyclists who died in night-time accidents were almost three times more likely to have consumed alcohol than motorcyclists who died during the day. In states without the Universal Helmet Act, 57% of motorcyclists killed in 2019 were not wearing helmets, compared to 9% in states with the Universal Helmet Act.
Can a motorcycle accident attorney help me?
Yes, a motorcycle attorney can help with a motorcycle accident. A motorcycle attorney is a lawyer who specializes in representing clients who have been involved in motorcycle accidents. They can help you understand your legal rights and options, and guide you through the process of making an insurance claim or pursuing legal action against the responsible party.
A motorcycle attorney can help you gather evidence, such as witness statements and photos of the accident scene, to support your claim. They can also help you negotiate with insurance companies and represent you in court if necessary.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A motorcycle attorney can help you understand your rights and options, and protect your interests as you pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses.
What are the main reasons for a motorcycle accident
There are many reasons why motorcycle accidents can happen. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Driver error: This can include things like speeding, tailgating, failing to yield, making improper lane changes, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Road conditions: Poor road conditions, such as potholes, loose gravel, or wet or icy surfaces, can cause a motorcycle to lose traction and crash.
- Vehicle defects: Defective motorcycle parts, such as faulty brakes or tires, can cause an accident.
- Weather: Inclement weather, such as heavy rain or strong winds, can make it difficult for a motorcycle to maintain control and avoid an accident.
- Inattentive drivers: Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than other vehicles, which can make them harder for other drivers to see. This can lead to accidents if other drivers are not paying attention to the road.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to determine the cause so that you can understand your legal rights and options. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you investigate the accident and determine who was at fault.
What to do after a motorcycle accident
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to stay calm and take the following steps:
- Check for injuries: If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured, call 911 immediately to get medical help.
- Collect information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. If there are witnesses, try to get their contact information as well.
- Report the accident: Report the accident to the police as soon as possible. The police will create an accident report that can be useful when making an insurance claim.
- Document the accident: Take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to the vehicles and any visible injuries. This can be useful evidence when making an insurance claim.
- Contact your insurance company: Let your insurance company know about the accident, even if you weren’t at fault. They can help you understand your coverage and guide you through the claims process.
- Consider hiring a lawyer: If the accident was serious and you’re having trouble getting the compensation you deserve, consider hiring a lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accidents. They can help you navigate the legal process and fight for fair compensation.
How much is my motorcycle accident case worth
The value of a motorcycle accident case will depend on a variety of factors, such as the severity of the injuries, the amount of property damage, and the degree of fault of the parties involved. Some common types of damages that may be awarded in a motorcycle accident case include
- Medical expenses: This can include the cost of medical treatment, such as hospital bills, surgeries, medication, and physical therapy.
- Lost wages: If you were unable to work because of your injuries, you may be able to recover the wages you lost as a result of the accident.
- Pain and suffering: This can include physical pain, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages resulting from the accident.
- Property damage: If your motorcycle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you may be able to recover the cost of repair or replacement.
- Punitive damages: In some cases, the court may award punitive damages if the other party’s behavior was particularly reckless or negligent.
The value of a motorcycle accident case will depend on the specific circumstances of the accident and the damages suffered. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you evaluate your case and determine how much it may be worth.
What medical injuries can occur during a motorcycle accident
Motorcycle accidents can cause a wide range of medical injuries, depending on the severity of the accident and the nature of the impact. Some common medical injuries that can occur during a motorcycle accident include
- Traumatic brain injuries: These can be caused by the head striking an object or being violently shaken, and can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage.
- Spinal cord injuries: These can result in partial or complete paralysis and can be caused by the spine being damaged or compressed.
- Broken bones: Motorcycle accidents can cause bones to break or shatter, especially in the limbs and extremities.
- Soft tissue injuries: These can include strains, sprains, and tears of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and can be caused by the force of the impact or from being thrown from the motorcycle.
- Internal injuries: Motorcycle accidents can cause injuries to internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys, which may require surgery to repair.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to diagnose and treat any injuries you may have sustained. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options if you’ve been injured in an accident.
How much do I need to pay a motorcycle accident lawyer
Most motorcycle accident lawyers to work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they will not charge you any upfront fees. Instead, they will take a percentage of the settlement or award that they recover on your behalf. This percentage is typically around one-third of the total amount recovered.
For example, if your motorcycle accident lawyer helps you recover $30,000 in damages, they may charge a fee of one-third, or $10,000. This means that you will receive $20,000 after the lawyer’s fee is deducted.
It’s important to understand the fee arrangement with your motorcycle accident lawyer before you agree to hire them. They should be able to explain their fees and costs in detail, and you should feel comfortable with the arrangement before proceeding.