Riding a motorcycle is a wonderful way to cruise around Gahanna and the rest of Ohio. A motorcycle offers the rider a direct connection with the environment and is a liberating experience for many riders. Of course, the joys of riding a bike come with obvious dangers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assert that in 2008 alone, approximately 175,000 U.S. riders sustained non-fatal injuries.
Clearly, if you or a loved one sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle crash, you should focus on medical treatment and recovery first. To help you determine your next course of action, consider the following information about motorcycle accidents, and call a Gahanna motorcycle accident lawyer for immediate help.
You May Be Able to Recover Compensation for Your Injuries
Many motorcycle crashes cause devastating injuries for the rider because he or she has little to no protection from other cars and obstacles on the road. In the event you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, you may be eligible to recover compensation for any medical bills incurred as a result. Furthermore, you could acquire payment for future medical bills as well if your recovery time is extended or if the accident resulted in a lasting disability.
Additionally, you can seek other forms of compensation depending on the nature of your case. You may be awarded payment for any lost wages due to time missed at work or even pain and suffering from the crash. If you lost a family member or loved one in a motorcycle crash, your Gahanna motorcycle accident lawyer can help recover money for funeral and burial costs, as well as compensation for loss of support or loss of consortium.
How to Identify the Party Responsible for the Crash
Identifying the party liable for a motorcycle crash is not always an easy task. In some cases, if one party drove in an obviously negligent fashion, it may be relatively simple. Other times, it may require a legal professional who can examine the specifics of the case and conclude liability.
For example, a crash may have occurred due to a faulty part on the bike or because of an obstacle present on the road. Or the crash may have been the result of negligent or reckless actions taken by more than one driver. Because it may be difficult to determine the source of the wreck, speak with a motorcycle accident attorney in Gahanna for help.
What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Under Ohio law, only riders who are younger than 18 or who have had a license for less than one year (and are thus deemed “novice”) are required to wear a helmet when riding. But in some cases, if an injured party was not wearing a helmet during the accident, a judge, jury or insurance adjuster may determine that this factor contributed to the rider’s head or neck injuries; in this case, the injured party may be awarded a reduced amount.
Contact a Gahanna Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today for Help
We understand how traumatic it can be to experience a motorcycle accident. We do, though, know how important it is to take quick action if you wish to recover compensation in a motorcycle claim. Specifically, Ohio law only provides two years after the accident to file; otherwise, you may be barred forever.
If you have been injured on a motorcycle, contact a Gahanna motorcycle accident lawyer at Bressman Law today. We are ready to help in any way we can throughout this difficult time. Call us when you are able at (614) 538-1116.