Hammond Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

While motorcycles represent a small portion of registered vehicles, they are often overrepresented in crashes resulting in serious injury or fatality. More often than not, the motorcyclist was not at fault for the collision, but they are more likely to bear the brunt of the damage. The ramifications of a severe motorcycle accident injury often include financial woes, career setbacks, undue stress, and even permanent disability. 

In a personal injury claim, Indiana motorcyclists who were injured by a negligent driver can potentially recover compensation for their damages. Our team at Lerner and Rowe has successfully advocated for injured motorcyclists for nearly 20 years. Take advantage of a free consultation with one of our Hammond, Indiana motorcycle accident lawyers by calling us at 219-999-0122 to schedule a consultation or complete a free online case review today. 

Hammond Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Why You Should Choose Lerner and Rowe to Represent Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit 

At Lerner and Rowe, we have found that Indiana motorcycle accidents, whether they are a rear-end collision on a congested patch of I-90, a left turn accident at Calumet and 165th, or a dooring accident on Sohl Avenue, require an experienced hand to have the best chance of maximum compensation in a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Our reputable team can provide exceptional service, as evidenced by our history of outstanding case results.

We recognize that your Hammond motorcycle accident injuries have likely had a detrimental impact on your lifestyle, job, and health. This demands a detail-oriented approach to documenting damages that our seasoned personal injury lawyers can offer. Lerner and Rowe’s clients benefit from our resources and years of service that have made us a top Northwest Indiana law firm serving the needs of Hammond motorcycle accident victims.

You deserve a diligent, experienced motorcycle accident attorney who is familiar with applicable Indiana laws, the steps of the personal injury claims process, the unique challenges of pursuing a motorcycle accident claim, and how to deal with insurance companies looking to devalue your damages. Let our team of persuasive negotiators stand up to powerful insurance companies on your behalf to secure maximum compensation for your Hammond motorcycle accident claim.

Understanding Hammond, Indiana Motorcycle Crashes

The city of Hammond, Indiana has a population of 76,575, making it the largest city in Lake County. Like other cities in Lake County, Hammond has historically been home to heavy industry like steel mills. Hammond is located east of Chicago and is connected to the city through a web of interstates, state routes, and highways, such as I-90 and U.S. 12.

Lake County ranks third in the state for motorcycle accidents, behind Marion and Allen counties which are home to larger cities like Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. In 2020, 177 motorcyclists were involved in Lake County collisions, which is 5.5 times the average of 32 motorcyclists. 73% of the motorcyclists involved in those crashes were injured or killed, claiming 10 lives in 2020.

Indiana motorcycle accidents are more common between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays, during spring and summer months. This is generally consistent with national patterns of motorcycle accidents. A notable factor to consider when reviewing Indiana and Cook County motorcycle accident injury rates and average severity is the low rate of helmet usage in the state. Of the motorcyclists who were involved in a crash in 2020, nearly 60% were killed or sustained catastrophic injuries, emphasizing the importance of wearing a helmet.

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Common Causes of Hammond, Indiana Motorcycle Accidents

Too often, a motorcyclist is seriously injured in a preventable collision. One of the greatest threats to an Indiana motorcyclist’s safety is not poor weather, road debris, or other environmental conditions, but rather the dangerous behaviors of other drivers. Indiana drivers who do anything to compromise their control over their vehicles or hamper their judgment, such as rubbernecking or consuming alcohol, are effectively endangering the motorcyclists around them. Motorcycles are more likely to be overlooked by drivers anyway, so it is critical that they operate with awareness and caution. Hammond motorcycle accidents may be caused by:

It is possible for multiple parties to contribute to a Hammond motorcycle accident, including the motorcyclist themselves. For example, in a situation where a driver aggressively cut off a motorcyclist to avoid missing their exit and collided with a motorcyclist who was speeding, both parties may be considered negligent in their actions towards one another. Motorists owe each other a duty of care to avoid reckless behaviors that could foreseeably cause injury, and a violation of this obligation can leave a party liable for injuries they cause.

Hammond Motorcycle Accidents Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries in a Crash

In a motorcycle accident, injuries are the norm rather than the exception for both operators and passengers on motorcycles. Motorcycles are much easier to destabilize or jar, which can subject a rider to being thrown against the road and other unforgiving surfaces or pushed into other vehicles, guard rails, trees, telephone poles, walls, and oncoming traffic. 

The human body is not built to endure that kind of impact without sustaining serious damage, which is why passenger cars are equipped with safeguards to insulate occupants in the event of a crash, but motorcyclists are completely exposed. As a result, it is not uncommon for a motorcyclist to sustain damage to their organs, nerves, and bones that can compromise critical functions. Hammond motorcyclists are vulnerable to injuries such as:

Don’t make the mistake of denying or delaying medical attention for your Hammond motorcycle accident injuries. Not only could this jeopardize your health and the efficacy of your treatment, but it also puts your future claim in a precarious position. You don’t want to give the insurance company any reason to believe that you have embellished your injuries or neglected to seek care so you could recover more compensation, as that could lead to them diminishing or dismissing your claim.

What Damages Are Available in a Hammond Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

No one wants to imagine a scenario where their morning commute, weekend getaway, cross-country trip, or local excursion ends in an ambulance ride and months of recovery. Hammond motorcyclists who find themselves in this situation often struggle financially, emotionally, and health-wise. The personal injury claims process acknowledges these costs in the form of compensatory damages, which are meant to help restore a plaintiff to their status before the injury.

Serious motorcycle accident injuries often entail a litany of medical expenses for medication, physical therapy, and other treatments or equipment. For many, that is just the start. A catastrophic injury can interfere with your ability to return to your job or career, accomplish basic tasks like cooking or driving, and diminish your quality of life. The losses related to your motorcycle accident injuries are labeled either economic damages, which are monetary costs, or non-economic damages, which represent an emotional toll. In a Hammond motorcycle accident lawsuit, damages may include:  

Hammond Motorcycle Wrongful Death Lawsuits

After a fatal motorcycle collision in Indiana, the family of the deceased motorcyclist can potentially recuperate their losses in a Hammond wrongful death claim. The specific damages available vary by a survivor’s relationship to the deceased. Generally, loved ones who are eligible to pursue an Indiana wrongful death claim can be compensated for damages like funeral and burial expenses, as well as medical bills for the deceased’s treatment. 

Wrongful death claims are often harder to negotiate because the motorcyclist is no longer there to speak for themselves, and damages tend to be substantial. The best way to ensure that you are being treated fairly in an Indiana motorcycle accident claim, whether you are filing on behalf of yourself or a deceased loved one’s estate, is to hire a Hammond personal injury lawyer to represent you. 

Why You Need a Hammond Motorcycle Accident Attorney to Negotiate Your Claim

Trying to manage a personal injury claim alone from a hospital bed or your kitchen table often yields disappointing results. Plaintiffs who try to go it alone usually find themselves overwhelmed by pressing deadlines, attempting to translate technical medical terms and dense legal paperwork, doing the work of investigating their own claims, and keeping up with the demands of their families and careers. Representing yourself can also cast doubt on your case. 

It may signal to an insurance company that motorcycle accident attorneys who handle these types of cases for a living do not believe that your claim has enough evidence to meet the burden of proof and be worthy of compensation. Your motorcycle accident attorney is the only one you can trust to act exclusively with your best interests in mind, and you will need their support to effectively negotiate with powerful insurance companies and their legal teams.

Even relatively straightforward motorcycle accident lawsuits can benefit immensely from the seasoned legal experience of an accomplished Indiana personal injury lawyer. They will understand how to resolve liability disputes, combat bias against motorcyclists, obtain and preserve evidence, manage resources, and strategize to secure the maximum compensation possible for your damages in a Hammond personal injury lawsuit. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Hammond, Indiana Motorcycle Accident Claims

Does Indiana require motorcyclists to wear helmets?

Indiana repealed their universal motorcycle helmet law back in 1977 after activists argued that it infringed on motorcyclists’ rights. As it currently stands, only motorcyclists -both operators and passengers- who are 17 years old or younger are legally required to wear a motorcycle helmet in Indiana. There is an overwhelming consensus backed by numerous research studies that wearing a motorcycle helmet offers considerable protection from serious and fatal head injuries, so Hammond motorcyclists should always wear a properly fitted helmet when riding.

How long do I have to file an Indiana motorcycle accident lawsuit?

Indiana is not a no-fault state, so an injured motorcyclist must file a claim against the negligent party’s insurance company in order to recover compensation. This process has a strict deadline. You have a limited amount of time after your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit according to Indiana’s statute of limitations, or you may effectively forfeit your right to recover compensation for your damages.

Contact the Hammond Motorcycle Accident Attorneys of Lerner and Rowe Today

The aftermath of a Hammond, Indiana motorcycle accident can be a chaotic time, and having an advocate you can trust to handle your claim can be an enormous stress reliever. At Lerner and Rowe, we proudly take on that burden for our clients so that they can focus on healing from their motorcycle accident injuries. Over the years, our team of personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe has developed a reputation for going the extra mile for our injured clients.

We take our responsibility to you incredibly seriously because we understand that your family’s financial future and your peace of mind may depend on the settlement we are able to negotiate. Our team will work tirelessly to hold the liable party accountable for your motorcycle accident injuries and ensuing damages in order to recover the maximum compensation possible.

The motorcycle accident lawyers of Lerner and Rowe are available for a free consultation to review your rights and legal options, discuss the circumstances of your injuries, explain how the personal injury claims process works, and evaluate what your Indiana personal injury lawsuit may be worth. Give us a call at 219-999-0122 or complete a free online case review today to start the process of recovering the compensation you deserve for your Hammond, Indiana motorcycle accident claim.