Rhode Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Motorcycles provide some of the most memorable experiences driving on the open road. But when a negligent driver causes a motorcycle accident, it can change your entire life.
These accidents often result in serious injuries, as motorcycles lack passenger vehicles’ safety features, such as the protective steel frame, seat belts, and airbags. These accidents can have devastating implications on an individual’s physical, mental, and financial well-being.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible for compensation.
An experienced Rhode Island personal injury attorney can help you access compensation to help you pay your bills and get back on your feet. Many motorcycle accident victims feel stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure of next steps in the aftermath of their accident. An attorney will take the legal burden off of your shoulders while you rest and recover.
Rhode Island Is a "Fault" State for Motorcycle Accidents
Rhode Island follows a traditional fault-based system for motorcycle accidents, meaning the at-fault driver (or more accurately, their insurance company) is financially responsible for the resulting damages after a crash. This includes paying losses related to injuries, lost income, vehicle and property damage, and other associated costs.
In Rhode Island, you may proceed with seeking compensation after a motorcycle accident in any of these ways:
- Filing a claim with your own insurance company if the loss is covered (after which your insurance company will seek compensation from the at-fault driver's insurance provider)
- Filing a third-party claim directly with the at-fault driver's insurance company, or
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit in court against the at-fault driver
Regardless of your path to compensation, hiring a skilled, experienced motorcycle accident attorney is crucial for maximizing your compensation and ensuring your case goes as smoothly as possible. Your accident must be fully and independently investigated. Usually, police officers and insurance company agents will investigate the accident and compile a report on what occurred. Your attorney will also investigate and ensure that no important evidence is missing from official reports. Sometimes, a seemingly small oversight or unknown eyewitness can have huge implications on your ability to recover compensation.
Why Should I Hire Crowe & Harris, LLP ?
Crowe & Harris, LLP is a team of highly skilled and experienced legal professionals who are ready to employ all legal tools possible to help you. While many law firms assign cases to individual attorneys, we use a teamwork-oriented approach. That means that your case is worked on by a team of skilled attorneys, nurses, law clerks, paralegals, and legal secretaries. Our collaborative work style ensures that your case receives a comprehensive and dedicated legal effort.
This approach consistently results in favorable results for our clients. In total, we have obtained over half a billion dollars on behalf of our clients. Every case is different, but our strong track record of high-value settlements and verdicts is a strong indicator of our work ethic, determination, and efficacy.
At Crowe & Harris, LLP , we work on a contingency-fee basis, which means that we only request payment for our services if we obtain a favorable settlement or verdict on your behalf. At that point, we take a percentage of your overall compensation amount. If we do not win your case, then you don’t owe us any payment at all. This allows you to hire our services at zero financial risk to you.
We also offer a 100-percent free consultation in which you can tell us about your case and ask questions. Then we’ll get to work on the legal strategy. Call us today at (617) 404-3417 to schedule your free consultation.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
All drivers on the road, including those on motorcycles, have a legal responsibility to follow traffic laws, abide by the speed limit, and take all necessary steps to ensure safety. In our experience, the vast majority of motorcycle drivers go above and beyond to drive safely because they know their risk of injury is higher.
Unfortunately, drivers of other vehicles can be inattentive, distracted, or reckless. Even careful drivers can fail to notice motorcycles because of their smaller size. The following examples are common causes of accidents between passenger vehicles and motorcycles.
Left-Turn Accidents
Accidents involving left turns are among the most common kinds of accidents between cars and motorcycles. These accidents occur at intersections where a motorcycle is driving straight, and a car turns left in front of the oncoming motorcycle. The motorcycle may crash directly into the car or swerve to avoid a collision, both of which can result in severe injury to the motorcyclist. The driver and passengers in the car usually aren’t injured as severely as the motorcyclist.
There are a few reasons why left-turn motorcycle accidents are so common. When a driver turns left checks for oncoming traffic, they are likely to look for other cars or pedestrians. The small size and slim profile of a motorcycle can make them more difficult to see. Similarly, a driver may have been trying to race through a yellow light without adequately checking for oncoming traffic. It can also be difficult to gauge the speed at which a motorcycle is traveling.
Blind Spots
Passenger vehicle drivers may fail to notice a motorcycle in their blind spot. When merging, many drivers fail to check their blind spot or do so for only a split second. If a motorcycle is in the car’s blind spot, the car may merge directly into the motorcycle. The motorcycle could lose balance, swerve to avoid a collision, or otherwise lose control.
Speeding
Speeding is a significant factor in many accidents, but when a speeding car collides with a motorcycle, it can result in a serious accident. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases the force of impact during a collision.
Distracted Driving
Distractions such as cell phone usage, eating, and interacting with car passengers can make a driver take their eyes off the road. Taking eyes off the road for just a couple of seconds can have disastrous consequences. Distracted drivers often drift into other lanes or fail to see that traffic in front of them has slowed down.
Intoxicated Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a leading cause of auto accidents. This can have severe consequences when an intoxicated driver crashes into a motorcycle. Intoxication while driving can lead to reduced reaction time, blurred vision, poor decision making, and even passing out at the wheel. Driving while intoxicated can have civil or criminal penalties.
How Much Money Is My Case Worth?
Your amount of compensation will depend on the circumstances of your accident. Accident victims who file insurance claims, whether through their PIP policy or the insurance company of the at-fault driver, can ask for compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
If you choose to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, you can also ask for compensation for pain and suffering.
Since pain and suffering are subjective, assigning a dollar figure to them can be more difficult. After looking at the facts of your case, your attorney can give you a precise estimate of the amount of pain and suffering compensation for which you may be eligible. There are a few formulas used to estimate pain and suffering figures.
One formula multiplies your total medical bills by a number from 1-5. The numbers correspond to the severity of your injuries. For example, a traumatic brain injury that results in severe memory loss and several broken bones might be considered a “5”. If your total medical bills were around $25,000, then your compensation for pain and suffering would be $125,000.
We recommend that our clients start a journal in which they record the ways in which their accident-caused injuries impact daily life. Write down whenever you experience pain and when that pain prevents you from working or completing daily tasks. Try to record all the ways you cannot live your life the way you did before your accident. A specific, detailed daily log can go a long way in communicating the severity of your condition to a court.
Contact a Rhode Island Motorcycle Accident Attorney
At Crowe & Harris, LLP , we understand the extent to which motorcycle accidents can physically, emotionally, and financially turn your life upside down. We know that compensation cannot heal all wounds, but many of our clients find that relieving financial strain can help their recovery process immensely. We are passionate about advocating for our injured clients and highly dedicated to employing every legal tool available to get you the best result possible.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation by calling (617) 404-3417. We look forward to speaking with you.
