Did you get hurt in a motorcycle accident? Did someone else’s careless behavior cause it? If so, contact Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers immediately for help pursuing compensation for your injuries.
Motorcyclists have a higher likelihood of debilitating injuries and death in collisions than vehicle occupants. With no crash protection, riders can get ejected and impact the ground with significant force. Subsequent injuries can result from flying debris or getting run over by a car.
Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers understands a motorcycle accident’s physical, financial, and emotional consequences. If someone else is responsible, we can help you hold them accountable. Call us at (219) 286-7361 for a free consultation with an experienced Merrillville motorcycle accident lawyer to learn more.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Various circumstances can lead to different types of motorcycle accidents. The most common include:
- Head-on accidents – A collision involving a motorcyclist can happen if a driver drifts into oncoming traffic. The result can be deadly for the motorcycle rider.
- Lane splitting accidents – Although lane splitting is illegal in Indiana, some motorcyclists ride between two lanes of vehicles. An inattentive driver might swerve or change lanes, sideswiping the motorcyclist.
- Left-turn accidents – Anyone turning left must check for approaching vehicles before completing the turn, except if they have the right of way. Turning ahead of an approaching motorcyclist can lead to an accident.
- Dooring accidents – Dooring occurs when someone parks their car and opens the door without looking for oncoming vehicles. A driver might open their car door in the path of a motorcyclist.
- Rear-end collisions – A rear-end accident commonly results from tailgating. If someone follows a motorcyclist too closely, they might not have adequate distance or time to brake when necessary.
- T-bone accidents – T-bone accidents involve one vehicle crashing into the side of another. A driver might run a red light or stop sign, colliding with the side of a motorcyclist in the middle of an intersection.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Drivers often have trouble seeing motorcycles around them. These vehicles are much smaller than cars and trucks. An accident might occur if a driver gets distracted or engages in dangerous behavior near a motorcyclist.
The most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding – Driving over the speed limit or too fast for the conditions is dangerous. The driver might lose control of their vehicle, crashing into a nearby motorcyclist.
- Distracted driving is any task that diverts a driver’s focus to something other than driving. A driver might send a text or change the radio station, preventing them from seeing a motorcyclist in their path.
- Fatigued driving – Fatigue is more dangerous than people realize. It can compromise driving abilities and lead to catastrophic accidents. When drivers feel fatigued, they have a slower reaction time, poor decision-making skills, and impaired judgment.
- Vehicle defects – Any vehicle or part can contain a defect that causes it to malfunction. The driver might lose control of their car if the brakes, steering system, or other parts don’t work.
- Tailgating – Following someone too closely on the road doesn’t allow enough space between the vehicles. If a motorcyclist needs to stop or slow down, the driver behind them likely won’t react quickly enough to brake and avoid a collision.
- Driving under the influence – Any amount of alcohol can interfere with normal faculties. Drugs, even over-the-counter medications, can also limit physical and mental functioning. A driver might turn the wrong way on a one-way road, drift into the next lane, or fail to notice a red light ahead with alcohol or drugs in their system.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
With no enclosed vehicle, airbag, or seatbelt to minimize the severity of an accident, motorcyclists often sustain severe injuries. The most common injuries caused by motorcycle accidents include:
- Road rash
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of limb
- Significant disfigurement or scarring
- Deep lacerations
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injury
- Paralysis
Motorcyclists can face more than physical injuries. Psychological trauma is often debilitating. Some accident victims develop anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The physical wounds might heal, but the emotional effects of the collision can be long-term.
Compensation Available After a Motorcycle Accident in Merrillville
State law requires every motor vehicle driver to carry car insurance with these minimum liability coverage limits:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person
- $50,000 for total bodily injury or death in one accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
If another driver is at fault for the crash, you can file a claim with their liability insurance carrier. The money you receive can cover your:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Hospital stays, rehabilitative care, prescriptions, and other medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
You might want to sue the person who caused the collision and hold them accountable for their misconduct. However, you must comply with a strict law that imposes a specific timeframe for civil lawsuits.
The statute of limitations in Indiana allows a two-year timeframe to file a lawsuit against another party. That means you have two years from the accident date to initiate a lawsuit against the at-fault party. The court will likely dismiss your case if you file suit after the timeframe passes.
Seek Justice with Help from Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers
A motorcycle accident can cause various challenges. You might need time off from work and other obligations to treat your injuries. When the medical bills start coming in, it can be overwhelming to wonder how you’ll afford to pay.
The negligent driver should be financially responsible for your medical care and other expenses. Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers is ready to pursue action against them and seek the maximum possible compensation. We will remain by your side until the end.
Call our experienced legal team today at (219) 286-7361 for a free consultation if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries in a motorcycle accident. We’re available 24/7 to take your call. Let a Merrillville motorcycle accident lawyer fight for you.
