There is nothing quite like heading out on a motorcycle on the open road. However, the risk of injury or death is much higher for a motorcycle that’s involved in an accident. In 2020, there were more than 5,500 deaths recorded that were directly related to motorcycle crashes. Of those, 138 deaths and 1,969 injuries occurred in Indiana alone.
A motorcycle accident could cause tragic injuries that lead to missed work and huge medical bills. If you, or someone you know, has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need to hire a trustworthy motorcycle injury attorney in Indianapolis to take your case.
Top Motorcycle Accident Causes
It’s easy to be carefree on a motorcycle but unfortunately, the majority of motorcycle accidents are directly related to high speeds. Intoxication is another major cause of motorcycle crashes.
According to statistics, not using helmets can greatly increase the injury experienced in an accident. Alcohol impairment is perhaps the leading cause of motorcycle injury accidents, accounting for about 27% of them. Another leading cause is speeding, with more than 30% of accidents being related to high speeds and multi-vehicle collisions.
According to the Indiana University Public Policy, 71% of accidents in 2020 involved at least one other driver in the accident. Sometimes, this could be negligence on the other driver’s part. They may not be paying close enough attention or they may fail to see a motorcycle near them.
These are some other causes as well:
- Illegal lane changes
- Failure to yield
- Distracted driving
- Cell phone use
- Not looking closely before moving
There are also times when no other driver is at fault. These can include poor driving conditions, defective parts on the bike, or even safety gear that doesn’t work properly.
If you believe the other driver involved was impaired or negligent, you could have a case to help recover. Reach out to an Indianapolis motorcycle injury attorney to discuss your options.
Indiana Motorcycle Law
In Indiana, there are some laws to be aware of. These laws could affect your case or even your ability to file a case. If you were injured while not wearing a helmet, this does not automatically make you responsible. In fact, the laws in Indiana do not require motorcyclists to wear helmets. The only exception is drivers on a learner’s permit or under the age of 18.
In addition, you have a two-year limit to file any type of case related to your motorcycle accident. This is due to the Indiana statute of limitations related to personal injury claims and motorcycle accidents. From the date of the accident, it’s best to hire an attorney right away rather than wait.
Indiana Motorcycle Accident Determinations
Each state authority has the ability to govern how accidents are reviewed. In Indiana, motorcycle cases are reviewed under a modified comparative negligence system. This system allows someone who is partially at fault to still receive damages. The liability of each party is determined by a claims adjuster or the court.
If you are found to be partially responsible for the motorcycle accident, your claim would be reduced by that percentage. Here’s a quick example. Your claim is awarded $20,000. The court ruled that you were 20% responsible for the incident. In this case, you would only receive an 80% payout, which is $16,000.
Under this system, you may receive damages as long as you were less than 50% responsible for the accident.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
The injuries that a person faces from an Indianapolis motorcycle accident can vary greatly. However, many accidents lead to head injuries or lower body injuries. These could include joint, ligament, or bone injuries. The most common injury that leads to death is a head injury.
Head injuries tend to be more common when a riding helmet is not used. In addition, riders could suffer from neck, back, or shoulder injuries as well. Some riders also experience serious burns or road rash from their accidents.
If a motorcyclist experiences any severe injuries that lead to intense pain or disability, they may have a case. If the injuries cause extensive medical bills or loss of wages, contact a reliable attorney.
Here’s What to Do if You’ve Experienced an Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident
In the heat of the moment, you might not be able to act or might even forget some things to do. However, if you’re able to follow these steps, you should do so.
- Immediately report the accident to law enforcement.
- If you can, we highly recommend that you take notes and pictures and document what happened to your memory. Talk to any witnesses around you and write everything down you can think of.
- Seek medical attention right away if you are injured.
- Track missed work, appointments, and any expenses or travel directly related to your injuries.
You will need to reach out to your insurance company as well. In general, provide them with minimum details if you plan to hire an attorney. You can refer the insurance company to work with your injury attorney as well. The insurance company is dedicated to making the lowest claim payout possible, and they can use your own words against you.
Reach out to an attorney as soon as possible to get them started on your case. They will help you get a fair payout from the injury.
Use an Indianapolis Motorcycle Injury Attorney
When you experience any type of injury from a motorcycle accident that leads to medical bills and missed work, you should plan to hire a motorcycle injury attorney in Indianapolis.
Contact a trustworthy attorney who has experience handling this type of injury case. Don’t put off making contact. The sooner you’re able to connect with an attorney, the better.
