Wilkes-Barre Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer
Pennsylvania is a beautiful state to travel around on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, it’s also often very dangerous. Motorcycle accidents have devastating consequences for the bikers that are involved in them. Even when bikers wear a helmet, this is very little protection when going up against a much larger vehicle. The recovery process after a motorcycle accident is usually long. Victims are left with high medical bills they don’t know how to pay for because they are also unable to work. When this is the case, those hurt should speak to a Wilkes-Barre motorcycle accident lawyer that can help.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle accidents are caused by another driver’s negligence. Motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles, and drivers don’t take the necessary care to properly watch out for them. This results in some very common causes of motorcycle accidents, which include:
- Left turns: When drivers make a left turn at an intersection, they check to ensure the way is clear, but often still fail to see a motorcycle traveling straight through. As the motorcyclist enters the intersection at the same time the driver turns, the driver then slams into the side of the biker.
- Speeding: Speeding is the main cause of many types of accidents on the road, including motorcycle crashes. Not only does speeding cause accidents, but it also increases the severity of them.
- Drunk driving: When motorists drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs their reaction time is slowed, they have issues with perception, and they cannot focus on the road. All of these problems result in motorcycle accidents.
- Lane changes: Also due to the small size of motorcycles, drivers often don’t see bikers when they change lanes. When drivers fail to properly check their blind spots, they can hit a motorcyclist and cause a serious accident.
- Hazardous road conditions: Even the smallest danger in the road can cause a serious motorcycle crash. When this is the case, bikers can sometimes file a claim against the government for compensation.
Any time a driver is negligent and causes a motorcycle accident, those hurt can file a claim for compensation.
Proving Fault in a Motorcycle Accident
In order to claim compensation after a motorcycle crash, those hurt must establish certain elements of proof to support their claim. The first is that the driver had a duty of care to keep everyone around them safe. This element is fairly easy to prove, as all motorists have a responsibility to act in a reasonable and safe manner.
Proving that the other driver was negligent, or did not drive in a safe manner, is a little more difficult. This element of proof will largely rest on the evidence of the case including witness testimony, marks on the road, and photos of the crash.
After negligence has been proven, injured individuals must then prove that negligence caused their injuries, and the severity of those injuries. With this last element of proof, it’s important to also prove the extent of those losses. For example, medical expenses are a loss and it’s important to consider both current and future expenses.
Proving fault in a motorcycle accident is never easy. A motorcycle accident attorney can help collect evidence to prove a driver was negligent, and to prove the full losses an accident victim has sustained.
Call Our Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Now
At O’Donnell Law Offices, our Wilkes-Barre motorcycle accident lawyers understand the devastating consequences of motorcycle crashes. We also know that accident victims are often entitled to compensation, and we have the experience to help them obtain it. We want to put that experience to work for you, too. If you’ve been hurt in an accident, call us today at (570) 821-5717 to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
