Motorcycles don’t have the same types of structural protections as passenger vehicles. As a result, motorcycle accidents are more likely to cause severe or even fatal injuries. Many motorcycle accidents happen because drivers don’t notice a motorcyclist until too late. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), severe road rash, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones are commonly caused injuries.
If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be facing significant medical bills and be unable to return to work because of your injuries. When you work with Rochelle McCullough, LLP, we will handle every aspect of your case, including the negotiations between you and the insurance company. We have the resources and experience to effectively pursue the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Dangerous?
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable when they are involved in an accident. When a motorcyclist collides with a passenger vehicle, the passengers and driver are protected by the strong frame of the vehicle, windshields, airbags, and seat belts. Motorcyclists lack all of these safety features. Motorcycle riders can become pinned underneath vehicles or projected off their motorcycles from the force of the collision. When motorcyclists collide with hard asphalt, they can suffer bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, and dangerous road rash.
Motorcyclists have less braking power and control over their motorcycles than most passenger drivers. The steering systems for motorcycles are sensitive when compared to passenger vehicles. When motorcyclists are startled, they may swerve off the road or into a nearby object. Even when motorcyclists wear well-fitting helmets and other safety gear, they can still become seriously injured. Finally, motorcyclists are more difficult for drivers to see. They may only see the motorcyclist once they have collided with him or her. Consequently, drivers usually do not try to swerve to avoid a collision and frequently strike motorcyclists at full force, causing more severe injuries.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
As with all traffic accidents, most motorcycle accidents are caused by negligence and could be prevented by safe driving. Drivers of passenger vehicles cause many motorcycle accidents, but not all of them.
One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents involves motor vehicles turning left in front of motorcyclists. Since motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, they may appear further away from vehicle drivers, and they are. Drivers may miscalculate the time to change lanes or turn, resulting in drivers colliding with motorcyclists or writing them off the road. In these types of accidents, motorcyclists do not have time to avoid colliding with the vehicle and can suffer fatal injuries from head-on collisions.
Many motorcycle accidents involve inexperienced riders. Operating a motorcycle takes a unique skill set. When young or inexperienced motorcyclists don’t know how to operate a motorcycle safely, it could cost them their lives. Cornering and braking take time to learn. When a motorcyclist handles a corner wrong or brakes too hard, the bicycle can become unstable, and a crash can occur. Other causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Drivers tailgate motorcyclists and end up colliding with them when they don’t have enough time to stop safely
- Drivers in larger vehicles don’t check their blind spots and swerve into a motorcyclist.
- Motorcyclists or passenger vehicle drivers drive at excessive speeds, making it difficult for them to stop in time to avoid an accident.
- The failure to drive defensively
- Driving while distracted by eating, phones, radios, texting, or watching videos
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Victims of motorcycle accidents are more likely to suffer fatal accidents than those of other types of traffic accidents. Every year, thousands of motorcyclists die in motorcycle-related accidents. Even when the collision seems minor or occurs when both vehicles travel at low speeds, motorcyclists can still be seriously injured. Without the protection other vehicles offer, motorcyclists are vulnerable to disabling injuries. Some of the most common injuries experienced in motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Degloving
- Road rash
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries causing paralysis
- Bone fractures
- Herniated discs
- Internal organ damage
- Death
Damages Available in Motorcycle Accidents
Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident? You probably suffered serious injuries and losses. You may be understandably concerned about how you will pay your mounting medical bills while not being able to return to work. Two main ways to recover compensation after a motor vehicle accident are by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit and an insurance claim.
To recover damages, you will need to prove liability. In other words, you will need to prove that the at-fault party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional behavior caused the accident that resulted in your injuries.
Pursuing the Full Compensation Motorcycle Accident Victims Deserve
The Hot Springs, Arkansas, personal injury attorneys at Rochelle McCullough, L.L.P. will carefully investigate your case to determine which party or parties are at fault for your injuries. We will work with medical and financial experts to carefully value your case so we can pursue all of the current and future damages you’ll incur because of your injuries. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you pursue compensation for all of the following types of damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment
- Wrongful death damages when a loved one has been killed
Contact a Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Hot Springs, Arkansas
If you’ve suffered a serious injury in a motorcycle accident, speaking to an attorney is one of the most important things you can do. The steps you take after the accident can hurt or help your claim for compensation. Rochelle McCullough, LLP has extensive experience successfully obtaining favorable settlements for victims of motorcycle accidents in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Don’t hesitate to contact our office to schedule a complimentary case evaluation and learn more about how we can fight for you.
We extend our personal injury legal services to help clients throughout Texas, including Dallas, & Fort Worth, as well as in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Committed to advocating for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.