SALEM MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

CAUSES OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS IN SALEM

• Motorcycles are smaller & harder for drivers to see
• Driver distractions include in-dash DVD players, GPS devices, & cell phones
• Motorcycles offer almost no protection for the operator
• Road defects like potholes and crumbling shoulders can cause motorcyclists to flip over
• Drivers refuse to share the road with motorcyclists and might cut them off or pass too closely

Serious Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists suffer the full brunt of a collision and can experience devastating injuries that require immediate medical help. Some of the most painful injuries include:

• Fractures
• Road rash
• Burns
• Back injuries
• Chest injuries
• Organ damage
• Facial injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Paralysis

These injuries are often catastrophic in nature. They can result in permanent disabilities, such as amputations, disfigurement, and chronic pain. After an accident, motorcyclists should head to the hospital to have their injuries properly diagnosed. Receiving prompt medical treatment can make a big difference in your ability to heal following a crash.

In a settlement, we will seek money to pay for all medical bills to treat your injuries, including rehabilitation and prescription drugs. We also seek compensation for lost income and benefits, pain and suffering, and damage to your motorcycle.

Types of Motorcycle Accidents

Accidents involving cars and motorcycles can happen almost anywhere, but some of the more common motorcycle accidents include:

• Rear end collisions. A motorcyclist stopped at an intersection is at risk of getting struck from behind. Many motorists fail to see them stopped there or are distracted by cell phones so they don’t stop in time.
• Left-turn accidents. A motorist might not see a motorcyclist passing through an intersection and pull into them.
• Head on collisions. Some motorists collide head on with motorcyclists. For example, they might pass a slower vehicle and pull into the adjacent lane—only because they didn’t see a motorcyclist coming toward them. Other drivers will drift over the center line and slam into motorcyclists.
• Rollovers. A motorcycle can flip when it hits something, such as a pothole or uneven pavement.
• Near miss collisions. Even if a car does not strike you, they might drive so closely you need to take defensive action. Some motorcycle accidents are caused when the rider is forced off the road to avoid suffering a direct hit.

How Motorcycle Accidents Differ from Car Accidents

In the past you may have negotiated your own car accident settlement and this is why you are searching for an attorney now.  It is complicated and the negotiation process without the sklls of a seasoned  attorney can leave you with less than a fair settlement.   Attorney Lance Youd has experience and knows how  to negotiate motorcycle collisions.  He understands their unique angles and will bring the knowledge you need for the best outcome and settlement.

Motorcycle accident injuries tend to be more serious, so more money is in play. Consequently, insurers are more aggressive at defending themselves in these cases. It is not unusual for motorcycle accidents to be worth six figures or more, and insurers typically balk at paying those sums.

The insurance adjuster may harbor bias against motorcyclist assuming bikers are usually responsible for the crash, so they will refuse to offer fair compensation. If your case goes to trial, then jurors might feel a similar bias. You need an attorney who can gather all the evidence to show you were not to blame.

Some motorcycle accidents are also caused by road defects. A giant pothole can send a biker reeling through the air. Even large potholes are unlikely to cause car accidents. Suing a city or town for a road defect is a significant challenge. The state of Oregon and its municipalities are usually immune from lawsuits. But you can sue in limited exceptions if you have a lawyer who understands the process.

4 Mistakes to Avoid after a Motorcycle Accident

We recommend that you avoid doing any of the following, which will only hurt your case:

1.   Don’t forget to call the police after the crash. Reporting the accident protects you because you will have an official record of where and when the accident happened. Also, if a road defect contributed to an accident, the government needs to know so they can fix it.

2.   Don’t admit responsibility for the accident. Doing so will only undermine your case, and the other side could use this information to reduce their liability.

3.   Never give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster without your lawyer present. The adjuster might dig for information to use against you, such as an admission of fault or risky riding.

4.   Never self-diagnose your injuries. If you feel pain, head to the hospital to have a doctor look at you. Refusal to get timely medical care can also undermine a case and delay getting well.

If you avoid these 4 mistakes, we can’t guarantee you will receive compensation, but you will improve your odds considerably.

Motorcycle Accident FAQs

Is Lane Splitting Legal?

Lane splitting refers to motorcyclists moving in between lanes, usually at intersections when vehicles are stopped. Many riders like to lane split because it protects them from rear-end collisions. Unfortunately, Oregon does not allow lane splitting currently, although the state has considered different bills over the years.

Are You Required to Wear a Helmet?

Yes. Oregon law requires that those riding motorcycles have a helmet on in most cases. Studies have shown that helmets reduce fatalities and serious head injuries, so they are important pieces of safety equipment. You can be fined for riding without a helmet.

Can You Receive Compensation if You Were Negligent?

Possibly. Oregon law allows motorcyclists to sue for compensation if they are not more at fault than other parties combined. In practice, you can be up to 50% to blame for the wreck but not more. Any compensation a defendant pays will be limited to their share of fault.

For example, imagine you were weaving in traffic and a distracted driver struck you. Both sides could be 50% to blame. If your losses total $100,000, the driver only needs to pay $50,000. You will be responsible for the other 50%, since that represents your own negligence.

Contact Our Salem Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Attorney Youd is available to help any biker harmed on the road. Whether you were hit by a careless motorist or upended by a road defect, let us review the facts and analyze whether you have a strong claim. It is possible to get compensation for an accident, but you need the right lawyer on your side.

Call (503) 399-8967 to schedule a time to meet.