Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Salt Lake City, UT

Pursuing Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident

If you have been in a motorcycle accident, our Salt Lake City, UT motorcycle accident lawyer is here to help. Accidents are a risk that you’ll take whenever you ride, and the prospect of a bad spill always keeps riders on their toes. Motorcyclists need to be extra attentive, especially as cars become more and more modernized and drivers become more and more distracted. Cars and motorcycles are completely different: A car provides a safety net in the event of accidents, and also numerous distractions that might lure drivers into a false sense of competence and security on the road. On a bike, the only thing keeping you from a major injury is your ability as a rider. Cars are becoming more and more loaded down with innovative safety features, but driver error is only becoming more and more of a hazard to motorcyclists. You might be the most attentive rider on the road, but that doesn’t account for everyone else. Contact Rasmussen & Miner today to schedule a consultation and learn about your options for pursuing legal action after a motorcycle wreck.

Table of Contents

• Pursuing Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident
• How Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
• Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
• Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Infographic
• Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Statistics
• Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident FAQs
• Rasmussen & Miner, Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
• Contact Our Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

The Severity of Motorcycle Accidents

Unfortunately, motorcyclists need to share the road with cars. If you ride a motorcycle, you understand that there’s never a guarantee that the other drivers on the road are as attentive as you are: There’s always the risk of someone texting and driving, drinking and driving, or engaged in one of the countless other distractions that can occur behind the wheel. You may be familiar with the old cliché: “Your safety isn’t about you, it’s about the other drivers,” but until you’ve been in an accident, you might not fully know what’s at risk. In the aftermath of a motorcycle crash, the differences become even more transparent. Someone in a car might escape with minor bruises and whiplash, but a motorcyclist involved in an accident may be at immediate risk of catastrophic injury or death. People weren’t designed to withstand sudden impacts and spills off of vehicles traveling at the speed of traffic, and your hospital bill shows it. You may have (barely) survived your motorcycle wreck, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods yet. Chances are, you’ll be strapped with jaw-dropping medical bills and a long recovery process – if a full recovery is even possible. Between hospital stays, medical procedures, and physical therapy, you probably won’t be able to return to work and collect any paychecks either. So what can our motorcycle accident attorney do for you?

How Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You

There is no doubt that the act of riding a motorcycle is associated with certain risks. But simply because bikers assume a relative degree of risk when they hop on their motorcycles doesn’t mean that they can’t hold others responsible if they are harmed while riding. Working with our Salt Lake City motorcycle accident lawyer will allow you to clarify your legal situation and evaluate your options in the wake of a crash.  You may understandably be wondering what the benefit of working with our personal injury lawyer is, especially if the insurance provider of the individual who harmed you has already offered you a settlement. There are many reasons why it is important to seek the guidance of our attorney before making any assumptions about your case and/or accepting an insurance settlement offer. Some of the most pressing reasons to seek counsel include:

Determining Who Is At-Fault

Motorcyclists frequently get a bad rap. People accuse them of being reckless, speeding, frequent lane changes to move around traffic, and more. Consequently, bystanders and authorities may immediately place the blame on the motorcyclist if an accident happens. However, motorcycle accident lawyers don’t rely on such assumptions. Seasoned lawyers can gather evidence and conduct an independent investigation aimed at uncovering the truth.  You may be surprised by what our knowledgeable and experienced motorcycle attorney discovers. Many factors, such as distracted driving, speeding cars, traffic offenses, improper use of turn signals, defective parts, and more, can contribute to motorcycle accidents. Depending on the existing evidence, our lawyer may be better able to identify if another’s negligence is responsible for your accident.

Filing a Lawsuit

A motorcycle crash can be devastating and debilitating, leaving riders with critical and even life-altering injuries. These injuries place a burden on bikers and their families who must pay medical expenses while shouldering the burden of lost wages and income. Our motorcycle accident attorney can help bikers and their families manage this challenge.  By filing a lawsuit against the liable parties, our lawyer may be able to help motorcycle accident victims recover monetary damage awards to cover any physical, mental, and financial challenges. Reviewing accident reports, handling court filings, and building a strategic case is just the beginning of our motorcycle lawyer’s job.

Dealing With the Insurance Company

Although you, as a motorcycle rider, and the other driver involved in an accident, may both have insurance policies, getting those companies to compensate you fairly could be challenging. Insurance companies are businesses that are concerned for their bottom lines, which are threatened if payouts are too large. They may go to great lengths to settle quickly and cheaply. Some insurance providers may even try to avoid paying.  Having our seasoned personal injury attorney on your side can strengthen your position at the negotiating table. Our team has experience dealing with insurance companies and can work to get you a fair settlement. If push comes to shove, you can be confident that our lawyer knows how to properly file a personal injury lawsuit and go to trial.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists don’t have the protection of a vehicle, so they are more likely to suffer serious, long-term injuries in an accident. Here are the most common motorcycle accident injuries.

• Road Rash

When motorcyclists slide across the pavement during an accident, they may suffer road rash. The injury can cause multiple layers of skin to peel away and expose muscle. Road rash is very painful and can lead to infection, nerve damage and permanent scars.

• Head Injuries

Head injuries are one of the most severe injuries motorcyclists can suffer in crashes. Symptoms of these injuries may include confusion, dizziness, vision problems, headaches and vomiting. Motorcyclists who suffer traumatic brain injuries may require long-term rehabilitation. They can reduce the severity of head injuries by always wearing a helmet.

• Biker’s Arm

When motorcyclists get thrown off their bike in an accident, they may put their arms around their body to lessen the impact. Unfortunately, this can cause damage to the bones and nerves in the arms and hands.

• Spinal Cord Injuries

In an accident, motorcyclists are also at risk of suffering spinal cord injuries. These injuries may include disc herniation, muscle atrophy and disc bulges. As our motorcycle accident lawyer can attest, these injuries sometimes result in permanent paralysis.

• Organ damage

When motorcyclists hit the ground after a collision, their internal organs, such as the liver, kidneys and lungs, can suffer severe damage.

• Burns

If motorcyclists come into direct contact with their own bike during a wreck, they may suffer burns from the engine. Burns can lead to infection and permanent scarring.

Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Infographic

Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcycle accidents continue to be a major safety concern, with a higher fatality rate than other types of motor vehicle accidents. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other safety organizations, motorcycle accidents account for a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities despite motorcycles comprising only a small percentage of the total number of vehicles on the road.

Prevalence of Motorcycle Accidents: The NHTSA reports that motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely to die in a crash per mile traveled than passenger vehicle occupants. Each year, approximately 5,000 motorcyclists are killed in accidents, making up 14% of all traffic fatalities.

Contributing Factors:

• Speeding: About 33% of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the accident. Speeding increases the severity of crashes and reduces motorcyclists’ chances of survival.
• Alcohol Impairment: Alcohol is a significant factor in motorcycle accidents, with about 25% of motorcycle fatalities involving a rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
• Lack of Helmet Use: Motorcyclists who do not wear helmets are three times more likely to suffer a fatal head injury. Helmet use has been shown to reduce fatalities in motorcycle accidents significantly.

Risk Groups: Young riders, particularly those under the age of 30, are involved in a higher proportion of motorcycle accidents. Additionally, male riders are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents, accounting for over 80% of motorcycle fatalities.

Motorcycle Crash Locations: Motorcycle accidents tend to occur more frequently in urban areas, where traffic congestion and hazardous road conditions contribute to higher accident rates. 55% of motorcycle accidents happen in urban areas.

 

 

Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident FAQs

Our personal injury lawyer, has represented victims of accidents who have suffered severe injuries due to negligence. Because the motorcycle rider has little to protect them, when faced with an accident, the impact is likely to be catastrophic. Victims of these accidents and their families should take the time to speak with Rasmussen & Miner to get their questions answered and receive qualified legal representation to protect their interests.

What Steps Should I Take After a Motorcycle Accident?

The steps following a motorcycle accident are critical to safety, receiving treatment, and safeguarding a possible claim. However, in some cases, injuries may be so severe that the victim cannot do anything at the scene, thus becoming reliant upon bystanders, emergency services, and law enforcement. There will be immediate and long-term steps that need to be taken. Following the crash, it’s imperative to seek medical care to rule out any underlying medical conditions and get treated for any injuries. In addition to this being important for a person’s health and well-being, it’s also essential in proving the injuries were a result of the accident. Once treatment is received, the victim should write down their account of what happened and gather as much evidence as possible. Once the recovery process has started, victims should contact our Salt Lake City personal injury law firm to receive guidance on moving forward with a legal claim. We can help you avoid common mistakes after a motorcycle crash so you can secure a favorable outcome in your case.

Should I Call the Police After a Motorcycle Accident?

Despite what the other driver may be telling you, you should always contact the police after a motorcycle crash. It’s the right thing for you and your case. Don’t let anybody talk you out of waiting for the police to arrive. When our motorcycle accident attorney is putting together your lawsuit, having a police report of the accident is imperative for proving what happened. It can be the difference between winning and losing. Having a police report to back you up can even put pressure on insurance companies to give you a higher settlement.

Should I Go to the Hospital Even If I Feel OK?

It’s a smart idea to see a doctor after any motorcycle crash. Even though it may seem that you only have a few scratches and bruises, there could be serious internal bleeding or head injuries. Our personal injury attorney will want to see those medical records to use as evidence in your case.

Should I Speak to an Insurance Adjuster Without a Lawyer?

The insurance adjuster will likely contact you to discuss the crash. They will have a series of questions for accident victims, and it’s essential to proceed with caution. The last thing you want is your potential settlement to be impacted because you say the wrong thing and inadvertently implicate fault.

Could I Be Considered Partially At-Fault for Not Wearing a Helmet?

While it’s recommended that those riding motorcycles wear a helmet, it’s not a legal requirement in Utah. However, it is essential to note that this does not pertain to riders under 21. Any motorcyclist under the age of 21 is legally required to wear a helmet. If the rider was over 21 and not wearing a helmet, they may still be able to pursue damages from the liable driver.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcyclists have to be alert at all times while on the road. However, even if they are careful, accidents can still happen. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. If vehicle operators are distracted by cellphones or other items, they may lose focus of the road ahead and even miss an oncoming motorcyclist. If it’s rainy or foggy outside, drivers may also have trouble seeing motorcyclists.

When Should I File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

In Utah, the statute of limitations to file a motorcycle lawsuit is four years. While that might seem like a long time, you shouldn’t use that as an excuse to procrastinate. Evidence and witnesses can disappear after time, so you should file a lawsuit with the assistance of our lawyer soon. You only have a limited time to file a claim, so don’t wait to reach out to our law firm.

What Compensation Might I Be Able to Recover?

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, motorcycle repair or replacement, pain and suffering, and more. If you hire our reputable lawyer, you can increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement. Our experienced Salt Lake City, UT motorcycle accident lawyer can help you gather necessary evidence, identify witnesses and negotiate with the insurance company.

Rasmussen & Miner, Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

1334 2nd Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

Contact Our Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Our motorcycle accident attorney understands the distress and financial turmoil victims of motorcycle accidents face. It is our job to seek a sense of justice and hopefully help win the maximum compensation possible. In preparation of a legal consultation, we encourage victims to gather paperwork, photographs, police reports, medical records, witness contact details, and anything else related to the accident. With this information, we can evaluate your case and calculate a potential monetary award. The more facts we have, the more effectively we can determine whether pursuing legal action is worth your time and energy.

If you come in with a lot of questions, we can promise you will leave feeling confident and secure about your case. Whether you are a victim yourself, or are a family member who has sustained a motorcycle accident-related injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the suffering and pain you have endured. Call our Salt Lake City motorcycle accident lawyer at Rasmussen & Miner today for a no-cost initial consultation. Attorney Robert C. Miner has decades of trial experience and is prepared to fight for you. Don’t wait to get the compassionate and knowledgable legal support you need for your motorcycle accident claim. Contact our office now.

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