Do you have motorcycle accident injuries caused by someone’s negligence or wrongdoing? You deserve to know what types of compensation you could demand from the responsible parties. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Weston can take care of filing insurance claims and, if necessary, a personal injury lawsuit.

The Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Insurance companies recognize that our award-winning law firm, led by our founding trial attorney, Jeff Robinette, is serious about demanding full and fair payouts for motorcycle accident victims. Let our experienced and compassionate attorneys and staff handle the many details while you focus on feeling better. If you want to learn more about how we can help with a motorcycle accident case, contact our Weston personal injury lawyer anytime to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Like other traffic crashes, motorcycle accidents occur most frequently when an individual fails to act or acts without regard for others or in a careless way. Some common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

  • Drunk driving – It is illegal to operate a car or motorcycle in West Virginia with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or greater. Alcohol and other substances impair judgment, coordination, and reaction times, which makes driving dangerous.
  • Distracted driving – Distracted drivers contributed to over 424,000 accidents in a recent year. It’s not just texting (although it is unlawful to use a handheld digital device while driving); any activity that takes a driver’s attention from the road can cause a crash.
  • Drowsy driving – As much as 21 percent of all fatal traffic accidents, including motorcycle crashes, involve a drowsy driver. Sleep-deprived drivers are a significant threat to smaller motorcycles and their riders because they are less visible than cars and are difficult to see, even when a driver is unimpaired.
  • Unsafe lane changes – Drivers often misjudge the distance between their vehicle and a motorcycle or fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes.
  • Speeding – Driving faster than traffic, weather, and road conditions permit often leads to a crash.
  • Following too closely – Drivers who crowd a bike might not have the necessary distance to avoid a collision if the motorcyclist needs to stop suddenly.

Injuries Typically Suffered in Motorcycle Crashes

Unlike drivers and passengers in a car, motorcycle riders have little physical protection in a crash. According to the West Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT), a motorcycle accident victim is four times more likely to suffer injuries and 29 times more likely to die in a crash than a passenger vehicle occupant. Motorcycle accident injuries tend to be more extensive and severe and can include:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a severe and sometimes life-threatening injury that can lead to permanent brain damage, physical impairments, and cognitive decline
  • Spinal cord injuries that might result in temporary or permanent paralysis
  • Internal injuries, which require immediate medical treatment to avoid fatal blood loss or organ damage
  • Broken or even crushed bones, depending on the severity of the impact
  • Deep cuts and lacerations that require stitches and could leave scars

Who’s Responsible After a Motorcycle Accident in Weston?

A motorcycle accident lawyer can help determine who is responsible for your injuries and financial loss. The responsible party could be:

  • A driver who failed to take reasonable measures to avoid or prevent the crash
  • A manufacturer whose part or system failed, resulting in an accident
  • A municipality that did not correctly maintain roads or place warning signs in construction or hazardous areas

Of course, believing that someone is responsible is not enough. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney has the resources and knowledge to compile evidence of someone’s negligence to build a motorcycle injury claim, such as:

  • Onboard digital data from the at-fault party’s vehicle
  • Your medical records
  • Road debris and other physical evidence from the scene
  • Witness statements
  • Estimates for motorcycle repairs
  • Police reports

Types of Motorcycle Accidents

All of these types of motorcycle accidents can be deadly:

  • Head-on collisions: A vehicle crashes directly into a motorcycle, face-to-face, usually when the driver crosses the center line of a divided highway or road into oncoming traffic.
  • Sideswipe accidents: These crashes happen when a driver fails to look before moving into another lane or when turning.
  • T-bone collisions: Often the result of an unsafe left-hand turn, a T-bone crash (also called a broadside) is when one vehicle strikes another, forming the shape of a “T.”
  • Rear-end crashes: These accidents occur when a driver is following a motorcycle too closely and can’t stop in time to keep from running into the bike in front.
  • Dooring accidents: Parked drivers who fail to check for an oncoming motorcycle might open their car door in the path of a motorcyclist, causing them to crash.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Crash

Wondering what to do after a motorcycle accident? Here are steps that could improve your chances for a full recovery and a successful motorcycle accident lawsuit:

  • Get medical treatment to document your physical injuries.
  • Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions, attend all appointments, and complete prescribed therapy or rehabilitation.
  • Start a pain journal where you can note your daily pain levels, describe how your injury affects your ability to perform your usual tasks and record your emotional state.
  • Keep medical bills, accident reports, pay stubs, and other documents to support your injuries and lost income.
  • Contact a Weston motorcycle accident lawyer for a free consultation to learn about your options for pursuing compensation.
  • Once you hire a lawyer, communicate with the insurance company or the other party only with your attorney present (or let them speak on your behalf).

Compensation Available in West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Cases

The amount of motorcycle accident compensation you could receive depends on the extent and severity of your injuries. You could be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical care and treatment
  • Lost wages due to injuries
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disability or disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Talk to an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Weston, WV Today

Instead of trying to fight the insurance company alone, get help from an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Weston. The Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, is a West Virginia personal injury law firm dedicated to obtaining results for our clients. Contact us today for a free consultation about getting the compensation you deserve.