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Kent Motorcycle Accident Attorney

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Motorcycle accidents are one of the most dangerous types of vehicular accidents. They happen more often than most might think and can cause serious injuries to those involved in the accident. Below, we will discuss why motorcycle accidents happen, how they affect riders and passengers, as well as how you can hire a Kent personal injury attorney to help you collect the damages you deserve should you be injured in a motorcycle accident.

If you’re looking for a team of Kent motorcycle accident attorneys that will care about your case as much as you do, you’re in the right place. Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers has been successfully handling motorcycle accident cases for years and is always available to assist. Contact us when you’re ready at (206) 312-0954 or fill out our online contact form.

Kent Motorcycle Accident Legal Resources:

How Deadly Are Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents are incredibly deadly. In fact, per mile traveled, the fatality rate for motorcycle riders is about 26 times higher than it is for car drivers. This means that motorcyclists are much more likely to die in an accident than someone driving a car.

There are several reasons why motorcycle accidents are so deadly. First and foremost, motorcycles provide virtually no physical protection in the event of a crash. Riders lack the padding and safety features that are available to automobile passengers, such as the frame of a car, and seat belts and airbags.

Additionally, motorcycles are much smaller than cars, which makes them less visible to other drivers on the road. Finally, when a motorcycle crashes into another object, whether it be another vehicle or simply the ground, the rider is much more likely to be thrown from the bike. This increases the risk of serious injury or death.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, but some causes are more common than others. One of the most common reasons for a motorcycle accident is when a car makes a left-hand turn in front of a motorcycle rider. Car drivers often fail to see motorcyclists coming and end up turning directly into their path. Our car accident attorneys in Kent can help you if you are injured because of a reckless driver.

Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is when riders lose control of their bikes on slick roads. Road conditions like rain, snow, or ice can make it difficult for motorcycles to stay upright, which can lead to crashes.

Finally, alcohol is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents. Over 30 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol use by the rider or other drivers on the road.

How Can Motorcycle Riders Collect Damages?

When motorcycle riders or passengers are injured by the negligence of another driver, they may be entitled to damages that compensate them for their losses and suffering. This typically includes the following:

  • Loss of income while you cannot work because of your injuries (lost wages)
  • Future lost wages to collect compensation for the amount of time you will be out of work once the case is over
  • Pain and suffering caused by your injury
  • Medical expenses, including future costs associated with healthcare needs that are related directly to the crash itself (e.g., wheelchairs, rehabilitation, etc.), and loss of consortium if applicable

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, it is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury so they can begin building your case immediately. An experienced Kent motorcycle accident attorney will be able to help ensure that all of your damages are compensated for and assist with any legal issues involved in collecting those losses.

What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

There are many different types of injuries that motorcycle riders and passengers can incur in an accident. Some of the most common include:

  • Lacerations, abrasions, burns
  • Broken bones/fractured limbs
  • Seat belt burn (caused by seat belts digging into the skin during impact)
  • Concussions & brain injury (TBI)
  • Amputation (if applicable – typically due to sharp metal parts on the bike or surrounding environment after a crash)

What Steps Should I Take if I Am in a Motorcycle Accident?

The unenclosed design of a motorcycle makes riding in the open air exhilarating, but it also leaves riders extremely vulnerable in an accident. If you’ve had a motorcycle accident, you may be too injured to do anything other than wait for help. However, if you can move safely, without causing further injury, it’s important to move to the shoulder of the road out of traffic. If you’re able to use your phone take the following measures to protect your physical and financial future, or ask a bystander to use your phone to help you do the following as you wait for help:

  • Call 911 to report the accident
  • Take photos of the involved vehicle(s)
  • Take photos of the accident scene, including anything relevant like signal lights, traffic signs, an intersection, or a road hazard
  • Collect the contact information of all involved drivers
  • Collect the contact information of any eyewitnesses
  • Photograph your injuries

Once emergency services arrive, allow them to transport you to a hospital and have a complete evaluation. Tell the medical providers about every symptom and do the following:

  • Ask for a detailed medical report including your recommended treatment and prognosis
  • Follow all of the doctor’s treatment recommendations
  • Obtain a copy of the accident report
  • Keep all of your medical bills
  • Call a Kent Motorcycle accident attorney for an evaluation of your case.

Financial compensation can’t undo an injury, but when someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused your accident, you deserve full compensation so financial concerns don’t compound the problem when you need to focus on your physical recovery.

 

Kent motorcycle injury attorney

What Is Negligence?

To be successful in a motorcycle accident case, you will need to show that the other party was negligent and at fault for the accident and your injuries. To prove negligence, four elements must exist:

  • Duty of care: The defendant owed a duty to you – by simply being on the road, they are required to operate their vehicle in a reasonably prudent manner and try to keep others on the road safe
  • The defendant breached that duty in some way – this could be through speeding, texting and driving, or anything else that is against the rules of the road
  • Injuries: You must show that you actually sustained injuries
  • Causation: That breach was a direct cause of injuries you received

Common Ways Insurance Companies Deny or Devalue Claims

Negotiating with insurance companies requires an understanding of the tactics they commonly use to devalue a claim or deny it outright. All private insurance companies operate on a business model that requires them to collect a greater amount of money in premiums than they pay out in claims. For that reason, powerful insurance companies hire adjusters whose jobs are to deny or low-ball settlements. Common approaches they use include the following:

  • Calling very soon after an accident with a low settlement offer before you can even know the extent of your damages
  • Calling on a recorded line and using your words out of context against you
  • Asking for access to your medical records to view your injury report and then scouring your medical history to try to show that your symptoms could be from a pre-existing condition
  • Claiming your doctor has recommended or authorized treatment you don’t need
  • Trying to implicate you in the accident to increase your share of fault and minimize their payout
  • Claiming that the policy wasn’t in place at the time of the accident

Insurance companies use these and other tactics to maximize their profits. A seasoned accident attorney understands how to draft a compelling demand letter with evidence-backed claims for damages and proof of the at-fault party’s liability so insurance companies must abide by the terms of the policy.

Will I Have to Go to Court for a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Insurance companies settle out of court in the vast majority of cases. A skilled and diligent accident attorney can craft a compelling case for your compensation so the insurance company is highly likely to offer a settlement so you won’t ever need to walk into a courtroom. However, a dedicated legal team always has a winning strategy for court and is more than willing to litigate in a courtroom if necessary to maximize the amount of compensation you recover for the damages you’ve suffered, both economically and physically.

Why Have Caffee Law on Your Side?

Having an attorney on your side is the best way to achieve a favorable outcome for your claim. An attorney understands how the pure comparative negligence rule works. They can investigate the circumstances of the accident and gather crucial evidence that can help strengthen your claim and establish liability. A motorcycle accident attorney can also calculate the value of your claim and then negotiate on your behalf to help you recover the money that you deserve.

Contact Our Kent Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Are you ready to file a personal injury claim? If so, contact Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers for help. We are also available to answer any questions you might have. We offer a free consultation, so you won’t spend anything but a little bit of your time. Our attorneys have been successfully handling motorcycle cases for years, and we recover millions of dollars for our clients every year. Contact us when you’re ready by calling (206) 312-0954 or by filling out our online contact form.