Gary Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
When a motorcyclist collides with another vehicle, it’s usually because a reckless driver has failed to yield the right of way, traveled too closely, or tried to change lanes without accounting for the motorcyclist’s presence. In too many cases, a collision could have been avoided if not for the driver’s inattentiveness or impairment. Gary motorcycle accident lawyers can hold negligent drivers liable for their actions in a Gary, Indiana personal injury lawsuit.
In order to recover compensation, the injured motorcyclist must detail how their damages are connected to the injuries they suffered in the collision. For motorcycle accident lawsuits in particular, the plaintiff is likely to incur significant damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. A Gary injury lawyer from Lerner and Rowe can help you begin the process of filing a Gary motorcycle accident claim to seek the compensation you deserve with a free consultation. Give us a call at 219-999-0122 or complete a free online case review today.
Why You Should Choose Lerner and Rowe to Represent Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
When you’re choosing a personal injury lawyer to represent you in your Indiana motorcycle accident lawsuit, you want to look for a strong record of successful settlements, a reputation for good customer service, and a history of handling claims that are similar to yours. At Lerner and Rowe, we’ve displayed these qualities time and again as we negotiate fair settlements for our injured clients.
We are committed to offering outstanding representation that yields the compensation our clients are counting on to pay off medical debt, balance out lost wages, and gain peace of mind. With years of experience as Indiana personal injury attorneys, we are well-versed in the procedural intricacies of the personal injury claims process, how to safeguard your claim from insurance companies’ attempts to devalue it, and how to leverage evidence to establish liability.
Our team will remain accessible to you throughout the personal injury claims process and provide you with regular updates on the progress of your case. Whether you were injured in a sideswipe collision on I-90, a dooring accident on Broadway, or a T-bone accident at the intersection of Grant Street and 21st, the Indiana motorcycle accident attorneys of Lerner and Rowe will doggedly pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Understanding Gary, Indiana Motorcycle Crashes
Gary, Indiana is located just east of Chicago along the shore of Lake Michigan with a population of approximately 67,972. It’s considered a part of Lake County. The city has an industrial background, the success of which has been a catalyst for population growth and decline in Gary for decades. A few notable highways run through and around Gary, allowing motorcyclists to easily access Chicago, escape the city for a ride along Lake Michigan, and even commute as needed.
Unfortunately, Indiana roads can be quite dangerous for motorcyclists. The most recent data available indicates that motorcyclist involvement and fatality rate have increased since 2019. According to data reported by the Indiana State Police, at least 123 motorcyclists were killed on Indiana roads in 2022.
Critics attribute Indiana’s motorcycle accident fatality and injury rates to the state’s lax motorcycle helmet laws. Only riders under 18 or those operating on permits are required to wear a helmet. This attitude towards wearing motorcycle helmets is reflected in the low rates of helmet usage among Indiana riders. An average of 29% of motorcyclists were wearing a helmet at the time of their collision in 2022, as compared to a national average of about 65%.
Common Causes of Gary, Indiana Motorcycle Accidents
In order to determine who’s liable for the plaintiff’s damages in an Indiana personal injury lawsuit, the cause of the motorcycle accident must be established first. More often than not, the motorcycle collision resulted from the actions of a reckless driver. At a minimum, Indiana drivers have a responsibility to be sober, aware, and law-abiding as a part of their duty of care to their fellow motorists.
Gary drivers who are inattentive, impaired by fatigue or substances, or hostile are the most common culprits. While these behaviors would be dangerous in any traffic context, there is often an increased likelihood of collision with a motorcycle because they are harder to spot due to their smaller frame. Indiana motorcycle accidents are most commonly caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Texting and driving
- Ignoring traffic laws
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failure to yield
- Drowsy driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Reckless maneuvering
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to check blind spots
- Drunk driving
- Mechanical failures
- Poor road maintenance
- Road rage and aggressive driving
- Failure to check blind spots
Gary Motorcyclists May Sustain Debilitating Injuries in a Collision
Motorcycle accident scenes are often the site of traumatic injuries with lasting consequences for the motorcyclist. Without an airbag to absorb the force of an impact, a protective frame to serve as a buffer, or a seat belt to prevent ejection, Indiana motorcyclists are incredibly vulnerable to injury. It is not uncommon for motorcyclists to require months or years of treatment, with no guarantee of a complete recovery of function, sensation, or appearance. Typical motorcycle accident injuries may include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Disfigurement
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Soft tissue injury
- Fractured or broken bones
- Crush injury
- Deep lacerations
- Contusions
- Road rash
- Biker’s arm
- Severe burns
- Dental injuries
- Facial injuries
- Whiplash injury
In the case of severe injuries, immediate medical aid will likely be rendered anyway, but riders should always request medical attention after an Indiana motorcycle accident. This creates a formal medical record to support your description of your injuries, which can be used to validate that the scope of damages is consistent with the injuries you reported to the insurance company. Otherwise, the insurance company may become suspicious that you’re exaggerating your injuries and reduce the value of your motorcycle accident claim.
What Damages Are Available in a Gary Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Given the typical extent of a motorcyclist’s injuries, the costs to their quality of life, financial future, and general health, most motorcycle accident claims seek significant compensation from the liable party in the form of damages. Compensatory damages are intended to make the plaintiff “whole” again by restoring the monetary value of what they’ve lost as a result of their Gary motorcycle accident injuries.
Most people are familiar with the concept of economic damages, which reimburse an injured party for the bills they‘ve received due to being injured. In most cases, a plaintiff would be able to produce receipts to verify the value of their economic damages. Plaintiffs can also recover compensation for non-economic damages, which recognize the value of the invisible costs of your injury, like the infringement on your independence or the pain you experienced while receiving treatment. Most motorcycle accident claims include damages like:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Replacing or repairing the motorcycle
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death
Gary Indiana Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Claims
Indiana does allow a personal representative to bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased estate in the case of a fatal motorcycle accident. This can provide families with compensation for damages like the deceased’s funeral expenses, medical costs, and loss of companionship/guidance. Whether you are seeking compensation for your own damages after a Gary motorcycle accident or as the survivor of a deceased loved one, you should consider involving a qualified personal injury attorney to negotiate your claim.
Why You Need a Gary Motorcycle Accident Attorney to Negotiate Your Claim
Motorcyclists often face preconceived notions from insurance agents, their legal teams, judges, and juries, which can make it difficult to obtain a fair settlement. You need your own advocate to refute the stereotype of the reckless motorcyclist, provide evidence of the defendant’s liability, present a clear chain of causation, and negotiate for sufficient compensation to cover the expenses you’ve sustained as a result of your motorcycle accident injuries.
An Indiana motorcycle accident attorney can help you navigate every aspect of the personal injury claims process, from discovery to negotiating a settlement. As your representative, they will be in charge of drafting statements, taking depositions, obtaining medical records and other critical evidence, and constructing a cohesive strategy to secure a fair settlement for your damages.
Contact the Gary Motorcycle Accident Attorneys of Lerner and Rowe
At Lerner and Rowe, we’re not intimidated by difficult motorcycle accident cases. Instead, our team of skilled negotiators will rise to the challenge, providing your personal injury lawsuit with the level of attention it deserves. We can offer unparalleled legal insight, an array of resources, and a wealth of experience when it comes to negotiating motorcycle accident lawsuits for the maximum compensation possible.
You don’t have to struggle against a powerful insurance company to recover the compensation you’re owed. We encourage you to give us a call at 219-999-0122 or complete a free online case review today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Indiana personal injury lawyer. Our team can offer you the legal guidance you need to secure a settlement that helps you rebuild your life after a Gary, Indiana motorcycle accident.