If you were recently injured in a crash while riding your motorcycle, you might be wondering if you can seek compensation from the other driver.
It’s best to get a consultation from a Personal Injury attorney if you are thinking about suing. But before you learn more about how to sue for Personal Injury after an accident, consider these details to help establish if the crash was your fault or someone else’s.
WHEN IT WAS THE FAULT OF THE OTHER DRIVER
Motorcycle accidents are often devastating for motorcyclists. Without the same protection that cars give drivers, motorcyclists can be seriously hurt or killed in collisions. In general, collisions between cars and motorcycles are often considered the fault of the driver of the car. This is typical because drivers of cars don’t always see or even look for motorcycles on the road. That explains why one study found that in 66 percent of collisions involving motorcycles and cars, the car violated the motorcyclist’s right of way.
This is especially a problem at intersections, such as when a car takes a left and cuts off a motorcycle going straight. In fact, 42 percent of accidents between cars and motorcycles occur as a result of a car making a left-hand turn into the path of a motorcycle. If a car cuts you off as you were going straight, the accident may be ruled the fault of the driver of the car, which means your Personal Injury attorney may be able to help you get compensation for your medical bills and time off work.
WHEN THE ACCIDENT WAS YOUR FAULT
In some cases, the motorcyclist is at fault in an accident. One study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered that 35 percent of motorcycle deaths in 2011 were due to the motorcyclist speeding. In addition, 33 percent were riding their motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol. If speed or alcohol were factors in your accident, you might have trouble proving that the collision was the other driver’s fault.
Regardless of the details of your crash, you can always talk to a Personal Injury attorney to find out if you have a lawsuit. If you want to learn more about how to sue for Personal Injury after your accident in Arkansas or Oklahoma, contact Caddell Reynolds at 800-671-4100 to schedule your free case evaluation.
