Motorcycle accidents tend to cause more severe injuries than typical car crashes, and the claims that follow come with their own set of challenges. Here's what's different about pursuing one in Ohio.
1. Why Motorcycle Accident Claims Are Different
Riders have far less protection than someone in a car, so injuries tend to be more severe, medical costs run higher, and insurance companies often scrutinize these claims more closely than a typical fender-bender.
2. Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Frequent causes include drivers failing to see a motorcycle before turning or changing lanes, following too closely, and road hazards that pose a bigger risk to a rider than to someone in an enclosed vehicle.
3. Common Injuries and Why Documentation Matters
Motorcycle crashes often result in serious injuries — road rash, fractures, head and spinal injuries — that require significant medical care. Thorough documentation of treatment and expenses is critical to a fair claim.
4. Bias Against Motorcyclists in Injury Claims
Riders sometimes face an unfair assumption that they were speeding or riding recklessly, even when the evidence says otherwise. Countering that bias with solid evidence is often a key part of these cases.
5. Comparative Negligence and Motorcycle Cases
Like other injury claims, Ohio's comparative negligence rule can reduce — but doesn't necessarily eliminate — your recovery if you're found partially at fault. An accurate account of how the crash happened matters a great deal.
6. What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Seek medical attention even if you feel okay, document the scene and your gear, get witness information, and avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
7. Getting Help With Your Claim
Because motorcycle claims often involve higher damages and more insurance company pushback, experienced representation can make a meaningful difference in the outcome.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident in Youngstown, Salem, or Canfield, Ohio; Weirton or Chester, West Virginia; or the Beaver, Pennsylvania area, Stowers Law Office LLC is available to review your case.