West Virginia’s mountains and forests offer scenic views and an ideal environment for exploring the state by motorcycle. Unfortunately, Clarksburg motorcyclists face some unique hazards on the road as they enjoy the beauty our state has to offer. Even when they abide by the laws and wear their helmets, they still find themselves involved in collisions and dealing with the complicated aftermath, including severe motorcycle accident injuries.
If you’ve sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident due to a driver’s negligence, you may be able to pursue compensation through a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Contact Robinette Legal Group, PLLC to speak with our experienced Clarksburg personal injury lawyers and learn more about your legal rights in a free case evaluation.
West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Due to motorcyclists’ unique vulnerabilities — they’re more exposed and have far less protection than occupants of passenger vehicles — the odds of severe injuries accompanying an accident are high. In fact, in a recent year, 11 percent of people killed on West Virginia roads were motorcyclists, according to West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program data. Some other vital motorcycle accident statistics include:
- According to the National Safety Council, approximately 83,000 motorcycle riders nationwide suffered crash-related injuries in a recent year
- The Federal Highway Administration reports that 76.2 percent of motorcycle crashes involve at least one other motor vehicle
- Of those multi-vehicle accidents, 21.6 percent occurred at locations other than intersections, such as on highways
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in a recent year. While wearing a helmet may save your life if you are a motorcycle accident victim, it can’t prevent serious injury to the rest of your body.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents have many potential causes, many of which boil down to negligent behavior by passenger vehicle drivers. Some of the most common causes of Clarksburg motorcycle accidents include driving while impaired, tired, or distracted, driving at an excessive or unsafe speed, and engaging in careless driving behaviors. These behaviors may include:
- Failing to check blind spots when switching lanes
- Failing to use turn signals
- Opening a car door in the path of a motorcyclist
- Making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcyclist who has the right of way
- Tailgating a motorcyclist
These driving behaviors can result in a range of devastating accident types, including sideswipe accidents, rear-end and head-on collisions, dooring accidents, and more.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can have catastrophic consequences for riders as they lack the seatbelts, airbags, and protective surroundings enjoyed by occupants of passenger vehicles. When another vehicle hits a motorcycle rider, it does so with a force that can cause serious injury, even at low speed. Some of the common injuries motorcyclists experience in accidents include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Crushing injuries, potentially requiring amputation
- Road rash
- Burns
- Nerve damage
- Internal injuries
- Fatal injuries
These and other types of injuries can have lasting effects on riders, potentially limiting their ability to work and enjoy their lives after a crash.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Your priority after a Clarksburg motorcycle accident should be your health. Closely follow your doctor’s treatment plan, attend all appointments, and keep up with exercises and other measures intended to help you restore your health to the fullest possible extent.
You’ll receive a lot of paperwork and other communication following a motorcycle accident. You must keep it all, whether it’s documentation from your insurance company, bills from your doctor or other healthcare professionals, receipts for incidental expenses, or anything else related to the accident. All of it will help your attorney assess the full scope of your losses.
Finally, seek legal counsel as soon as possible. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you understand your legal options and handle all the processes involved with seeking compensation for your injuries, including communication with insurance companies and other parties. Avoid stating the insurance company until after you’ve consulted with an attorney.
Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident will help you move forward with purpose and keep your sights on the future, even if that future is much different from what you envisioned.
Damages Awarded in West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Claims
A motorcycle accident victim may file claims to pursue motorcycle accident compensation for various losses arising from an accident. The amount of compensation will depend on the extent of your injuries and how much you’re expected to recover from them. The losses you can receive money for in a personal injury claim include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Remember that insurance adjusters may contact you and make an offer to settle. Unfortunately, while they may offer to send you funds quickly, the amount will likely be far less than you deserve. An experienced attorney can help you pursue your maximum compensation in your motorcycle accident case.
How Long Do I Have to File a West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit ?
Under West Virginia law, you have two years from the crash date to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. This gives your attorney time to research the accident, gather evidence, and build your case. Motorcycle accident cases can be complex, so contacting a lawyer as soon as possible is essential to get the process underway. You must file a lawsuit within two years to recover compensation for your injuries.
Talk to an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Clarksburg, WV Today
Have you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence? Motorcycle accident victims need an attorney with experience handling personal injury cases to help them fight for the compensation and closure they deserve.
Robinette Legal Group, PLLC can hold the responsible parties accountable and seek compensation on your behalf. For over a decade, our practice has assisted West Virginia motorcycle accident victims, and we’ve successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Contact us today to arrange a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can help you.
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