Clark County & SW Washington
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident involving a motorcycle, you should contact motorcycle accident lawyer right away.
Motorcycle accidents are different than other incidents involving an injury and a motor vehicle. Chiefly, the vulnerability of the rider greatly increases the potential for serious injury. There’s also the difficulty of proving liability. Because of the complexity of motorcycle accidents, you should seek the skilled assistance of an attorney right away. Call the Etengoff Pak Law Group for a consultation.
Experienced Representation for Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycle accidents require counsel with specific legal knowledge and experience in motorcycle accidents. In addition, first-hand knowledge of exactly what it means to ride a bike can be a critical factor in understanding the full impact an accident has on the rider. The attorneys at Etengoff Pak Law Group have extensive experience with motorcycles having owned and/or ridden them for years.
Motorcycle Injuries Are Often Serious
The very nature of motorcycle riding places the rider at greater risk where other motor vehicle drivers fail to exercise proper care. For example, a bike has no protective bumper, steel cage surrounding the rider or air bags to act to protect the victim from injury.
Consequently, many Vancouver Motorcycle Accident Lawyers report a far higher incident of life threatening injuries resulting from:
- Spinal column injuries
- Head and brain trauma
- Major organ trauma
- Severe and multiple fractures
- Degloving
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Road rash
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
To be successful in a motorcycle accident case, your Vancouver Motorcycle Accident Lawyers will need to demonstrate negligence of the other party, who is most often the operator of the other vehicle involved in the accident. Many adjusters automatically conclude the motorcycle driver was recklessly driving and therefore at fault. However, thorough investigation will likely show that the other driver was at fault. Some ways automobiles can be at fault include:
- Changing into the lane of a motorcycle
- Turning in front of the path of a motorcycle
- Failing to yield to a motorcycle
- Causing a motorcycle to lose traction and spin out
- Distracted driving
- Failure to see the motorcycle in a blind spot
- Running red lights or failing to stop at a stop sign
Other causes of motorcycle accidents may not involve another driver, but someone else may be to blame. For example, dangerous road conditions could be created in a construction zone or on poorly maintained roadways. Poor weather conditions, such a rain or ice and snow can result in an accident as well. Another cause might be defective motor vehicle parts, wherein the manufacturer is to blame.
It’s important to determine the exact cause of your collision. Once you determine what caused your crash, you can work with a motorcycle accident lawyer to establish legal liability. Another driver, a manufacturer, or a construction company may be responsible for your damages in a motorcycle wreck.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
After being in a motorcycle crash, you may be unsure of what to do next. Follow these steps to stay calm and collect information for a personal injury claim that may come in the future.
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Get medical attention.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you should immediately get medical treatment. Even if you think you are fine, some conditions can develop over time, so you should consult with a doctor as soon as possible. You may schedule an appointment with your primary care physician in order to follow up after a crash.
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Take pictures and videos.
If you are able to, you should take pictures and videos of the crash scene after a motorcycle accident. Include pictures of the crash from all angles and pictures of traffic signs and lights. Make sure you video the surrounding area, and show the sky if weather could have been involved.
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Get names and contact information from witnesses.
If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their names and phone numbers. You could also record their statement with your cellphone in order to collect as much information as possible. Memories can fade quickly, so it’s best to record a statement as early as possible.
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Get insurance information and pictures of drivers’ licenses from other drivers.
Ask every driver who was involved for insurance information and a picture of their driver’s license. It’s best to take a picture of this information to avoid making a mistake later. You may take a picture of each driver as well. If any of the drivers seem combative, just get a picture of their license plate and insurance card and let your motorcycle accident lawyer investigate the situation further at a later date.
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Call the police.
You should always call the police after an accident. In fact, if your accident involves injuries or significant property damage, you may be required to make an accident report. The police can conduct an initial investigation and provide you with evidence for a claim later.
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Do not talk to the insurance companies.
After an accident, you will likely be contacted by one or more insurance companies right away. You should wait to talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer before you make a statement to the insurance companies. These companies will be trying to minimize their liability in an accident, so you may accidentally say something that allows them to blame you. Instead, refer them to your attorney instead.
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Call a motorcycle accident lawyer.
As soon as possible after an accident, you should call a motorcycle accident lawyer. It’s important to start an independent investigation right away. By contacting an attorney, you can get your claim started and collect evidence that will support your case.
Obtaining Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, then you may be eligible to receive both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that are directly linked to a financial amount and can easily be quantified. Non-economic damages are those that cannot be easily quantified, but still have a monetary value.
You may be able to obtain compensation for the following:
- Past, present, and future medical costs
- Physical limitations
- Disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
Your motorcycle accident lawyer can explain which types compensation you may be able to obtain. Although it’s impossible to know exactly how much compensation you can get, your attorney can give you an estimate of what your claim may be worth during a consultation of your specific situation.
More Articles
- How Much Is My Motorcycle Claim Worth?
- Motorcycle Helmet Laws and Recovery for Injuries
- Motorcycle Accident FAQs
- Types of Motorcycle Accidents
- Motorcycle Road Hazards
Contact Vancouver Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for Legal Advice
After a motorcycle accident, you will be facing one or more insurance companies that will be trying to minimize their responsibility in your crash. Instead of dealing with them alone, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you. The attorneys at the Etengoff Pak Law Group have extensively worked with clients who have been injured in motorcycle wrecks.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of a motorcycle accident, call the Vancouver Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at the Etengoff Pak Law Group at (360) 693-2919.
