As an accident victim myself, I know what you’re going through and that you may feel lost and unsure of whom to trust. I know it’s overwhelming — where do you even start? Before I was an attorney, I was injured in an auto accident. My hand was broken and I had facial scarring and neck pain from the accident. It seemed natural to work with the insurance company. I thought they would keep my best interest at heart and help me. Unfortunately, I quickly learned that was not the case and I promptly hired a lawyer. Because of my experience, I decided to open my law firm in Indiana. Now, as an experienced Indianapolis motorcycle accident attorney, I know exactly what a crash victim is going through and can help assist the best way that I can and get the best compensation possible.
If you were involved in an Indiana motorcycle accident, it’s likely you suffered devastating injuries. Because motorcycles offer little protection, a rider can incur numerous physical injuries to all parts of the body, including broken bones, amputations, severe skin abrasions (commonly known as road rash), brain and spinal injuries, and even death.
Indiana Motorcycle crash lawsuits are complex and require an experienced Indianapolis motorcycle accident lawyer. The Fountain Law Firm is experienced in representing bikers and the unique difficulties that their cases present. Call today for a free consultation (317) 917-7873.
Any type of traumatic injury can disrupt your life and cause pain and financial losses. Even injuries that heal relatively quickly can result in substantial losses and catastrophic injuries can change the quality of your life forever. The following are only some of the many ways that severe injuries can affect you:
Some losses from motorcycle accident injuries can be proven by presenting medical bills, pay stubs, and other documents. However, other losses are not so concrete and can be more difficult to evaluate. For example, determining the costs you will incur for a lifetime of medical treatment for a permanent injury will require the analysis of medical experts. In addition, occupational and financial experts may be needed to determine the amount of compensation you deserve for lost earning power, permanent disabilities, and more.
Fountain Law Firm’s Indianapolis motorcycle accident lawyers have all the resources needed to determine the value of your case and to seek the maximum amount that you deserve after a motorcycle crash and a serious injury.
Many motorcycle accidents happen because a driver was negligent in some way. Negligence occurs when a driver violates the duty of care they have to drive their vehicles in a safe manner. This includes drivers of passenger cars, commercial vehicle drivers, and also motorcyclists.
Immediately following a motorcycle crash, the insurance company will begin their investigation by obtaining recorded statements, interviewing witnesses, photographing the scene, obtaining a copy of the police report – typically within the first week of the accident. This may not be in your best interest.
While an insurance adjuster may be friendly and appear helpful, remember that the adjuster works for the other person’s insurance company. Establishing the appropriate value of your injury claim involves evaluating the nature and extent of the injury, the losses that are recoverable and the liability issues related to the accident.
Preserving evidence after an accident is crucial, especially after a motorcycle accident. Reconstructing the scene can be difficult and requires an experienced professional. Proper reconstruction can mean the difference between winning and losing a case. Contact an Indianapolis motorcycle accident attorney to get the help you need. Fountain Law Firm can help you deal with insurance companies, check your legal options, recover compensation for loss wages, at no charge unless we win your case. Call out Indiana office today!
An Indianapolis personal injury attorney can help you obtain the maximum amount available by law in Indiana for:
Many of these cyclists were not wearing helmets. The Indiana criminal justice Institute says wearing helmets reduces fatality rates by more than 30 percent. In fact, not wearing a helmet is one of three things that are the main cause of motorcycle collisions. Another is drivers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol. Finally, about half of the fatalities were drivers who were not even legally allowed to drive. Too many more of these accidents and fatalities are caused by the negligence of another driver who collides with a motorcycle. This is where an Indianapolis motorcycle accident attorney can help.
More and more people are riding motorcycles these days. Part of the reason is the increase in gas prices. At the same time, according to the Indiana Bureau of motor vehicles, people are not taking the time to get the proper training and licensing they need to ride. Not surprisingly, then, the number of motorcycle accidents are up. In 2012 (the latest year in which complete statistics are available), there were 2935 crashes, compared to 2850 the year before.
The number of Indiana people who were killed by motorcycle and moped accidents was up to 152 in 2012, compared to 118 in 2011. This is the most fatalities in almost 40 years.
Motorcycle accidents occur in a wide variety of ways. When most people think of a motorcycle accident, they think of a motorcycle colliding with another vehicle. However, there is such a thing as a “no-contact” motorcycle accident. When a no-contact motorcycle accident occurs, this means that the actions or inaction of another driver cause a crash without actually coming into contact with the motorcycle. Here, we want to give some examples of no-contact motorcycle accidents as well as whether or not individuals can recover compensation in these situations.
No-contact motorcycle accidents happen more often than most people realize. Typically, these incidents occur when a motorcyclist has to make an evasive maneuver to avoid coming into contact with another vehicle. Even though various departments in Indiana give statistics related to vehicle accidents, none of them indicate how many motorcycle accidents were caused by no-contact situations.
The reality is motorcyclists face more risks on the roadways than other drivers, particularly when it comes to no-contact vehicle accidents. The very nature of operating a motorcycle means that when an operator performs any type of evasive maneuver on the roadway, there is a chance they will lose balance and crash, even if they have not collided with another vehicle or a fixed object.
A no-contact motorcycle accident can occur in a wide variety of ways. These incidents can happen to drivers in traditional vehicles as well as those inside large commercial trucks, as well as motorcyclists. Anytime the actions of one driver on the roadway compromise another driver’s ability to remain safe, this can lead to a no-contact accident. These incidents usually occur in much the same way that actual “contact” accidents happen, but one driver reacts before the actual collision occurs. The reaction of the driver avoiding the collision can, subsequently, lead to unintended collisions with other vehicles or fixed objects.
Perhaps the best way to illustrate how a no-contact accident can occur is to describe a theoretical scenario that actually is quite common throughout Indiana – running stop signs or stoplights. Suppose a motorcyclist is going through an intersection because they have a green light. The driver of this motorcycle should be able to assume that they have the right of way. However, what happens if another vehicle coming from a perpendicular direction through the intersection has a red light but fails to stop? If this other vehicle comes into the intersection, the motorcyclist will likely perform evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision. Even if the motorcyclist is able to avoid a direct collision with the driver who ran the red light, it is entirely possible that the motorcycle will end up colliding with a vehicle in another lane or even drive off the road altogether.
If you’re unsure about your case, a FREE consultation near you can provide you with peace of mind. As an experienced Indianapolis motorcycle accident lawyer, I will personally ensure that you understand your rights, your options, and the legal consequences of your decisions before proceeding. I am committed to obtaining the best possible settlement for you.
“Merry is a very good attorney. She gets back with you right away when you call. I definitely feel you can count on Merry. This is the 2nd time I had called on her to represent me, and I have no complaints. If I ever need her services in the future, I am confident she will be there for me.”
-TERRI A.