Why is a Motorcycle Accident Different from a Car Accident?
Every motor vehicle accident is unique. You can have the same two vehicles in the same type of crash but have different injuries and results. This is because a minor difference can have a major impact on the outcome of the collision. However, when you have different types of vehicles involved, there are differences that apply to those specific vehicles.
For example, an accident involving a commercial truck is different from an accident involving only passenger vehicles. Large truck accidents tend to involve substantially more injuries to the occupants of other vehicles than to the truck driver. The reason is that a semi-truck provides more protection than a smaller vehicle in a collision between the two vehicles.
Likewise, when you have a motorcycle or a bicycle involved in a crash with a passenger vehicle, the rider has an increased risk of injury because a bicycle and motorcycle do not offer the same protection as a passenger vehicle does for its occupants. Handling a motorcycle accident claim can be much more complex given the differences. For experienced help filing your motorcycle accident claim, call (888) 500-5000 for a free consultation with a Fresno motorcycle accident attorney.
Three Differences in Motorcycle Accident Claims
Types of Injuries
Motorcyclists are more likely to suffer severe brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, and severed limbs because they have not protection in a collision. The motorcycle does not have the safety features a car does (i.e. seat belts, airbags, etc.) nor does it surround the rider with a reinforced frame.
In 2015, the NHTSA reports that motorcyclists were 29 times more likely to die in crashes per mile driver compared to occupants of passenger vehicles. Almost 5,000 riders were killed in 2015, an eight percent increase from 2014. Because of the risk of traumatic injury, motorcycle claims can be very complex and require an experienced attorney to ensure the claim is handled correctly.Insurance Companies
Insurance companies fight motorcycle claims aggressively due to the cost of these claims. With the potential for a serious injury or death, a motorcycle accident claim can easily reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. An attorney must work quickly to investigate the crash to identify and preserve evidence that proves the other driver was at fault. This is partly because of the third difference — perception.Misconceptions and Stereotypes
Motorcyclists have a bad reputation for being wild and reckless drivers. This stereotype is an unfair and unfounded misconception of riders. However, insurance companies will use the public misconceptions about motorcyclists to argue that the crash was partly the fault of the rider. If the company is successful in convincing the jury a rider is at fault, the compensation can be substantially reduced depending on how much fault the jury places on the rider.
Fresno And Central California Valley Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, you need an experienced lawyer who understands these differences and the complexities involved in a motorcycle accident claim. Our attorneys have the experience, knowledge, skills, and resources you want standing with you as your fight for your right to recover full compensation for your injuries.
Contact Torem & Associates by telephone at (888) 500-5000or online by using the contact form on our website to schedule your free legal consultation with one of our attorneys.
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