Liberty Township, Ohio sees its fair share of motorcycle riders due to the attractive sights offered by roads like US Route 25 and Interstate 75.
While many motorcycle riders can reach their destinations safely, there are also many motorcycle accidents in Liberty Township and other parts of Ohio. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that there were 144 deadly motorcycle accidents in Ohio in 2018.
Common Causes of Liberty Township Motorcycle Accidents
There are many reasons why Ohio motorcycle accidents happen, but often a careless or reckless driver is at least partially responsible. Other times, due to their small size, motorcyclists can be difficult for motorists to spot until it is too late. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Distracted driving, which might mean that a motorist or passenger vehicle operator merely glanced away from the road for a moment or two, causing a deadly accident to occur
Drowsy driving or fatigued drivers, in which drivers are too tired to pay adequate attention to surrounding road conditions
Failure to yield to other motorists on the road
Improper passing, or passing when motor vehicle drivers cannot see motorcyclists that are traveling near them
Intoxicated driving, which occurs when drivers operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Open car door or “dooring” accidents in which a motorcyclist collides with a car door that is suddenly thrown open
Speeding, which might involve motorcyclists traveling faster than posted limits or traveling too fast in adverse weather or road conditions
Sudden stops, in which a motorcyclist does not have an adequate amount of time to respond to sudden changes in road conditions
Injuries Commonly Caused by Ohio Motorcycle Accidents
To decrease the risk of deadly motorcycle accidents, Ohio law requires motorcyclists under the age of 18 as well as people with novice licenses to wear helmets at all times. Older, more experienced motorcyclists, however, are not required to wear helmets.
Even motorcyclists who wear helmets are unfortunately mostly unprotected from serious accidents and resulting injuries. Some of the most common injuries that motorcycle operators face include:
Bone breaks and fractures, which are caused by the impact of collisions
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
Crush injuries, in which motorcycles become stuck on top of riders and often result in substantial organ damage
Neck and back injuries, which can result in full or partial paralysis
Road rash, which occurs when motorcyclists slide across surfaces
Post-traumatic stress disorders as well as anxiety and depression, are caused by the overwhelming and frightening nature of motorcycle accidents
Severe lacerations, which in the worst cases can lead to amputations
Pursuing Compensation After Ohio Motorcycle Accidents
If you are a motorcyclist who is injured as the result of another person’s careless or reckless behavior, Ohio law recognizes your ability as a victim to pursue compensation. Consequently, victims are often able to pursue compensation for several types of damages caused by motorcycle accidents, including lost wages, medical costs, pain and suffering, property damage, and the loss of personal relationships.
Motorcycle accident victims must understand that there is a limit on how long they have to file a lawsuit. In Ohio, a person has two years in which to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. For motorcycle accidents, an injured victim has two years from the date of the collision to file. In situations in which a motorcycle accident resulted in the death of a loved one, a surviving family member has two years from the date that the victim passes away. This is only the deadline for filing a lawsuit. It is critical to understand, however, that many motorcycle accident victims who wait to pursue compensation also risk losing evidence that could be used to establish how an accident occurred. In most cases, the more quickly a person acts, the better the outcome of a case.
Seeking Compensation After the Loss of a Loved One
If you are the parent, spouse, or child of a person who passed away in an Ohio personal injury accident, we can help pursue compensation. Rather than file a personal injury lawsuit, we can help you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
While no amount of money can ever truly make up for the loss of a loved one, wrongful death compensation frequently includes things like loss of the deceased person’s income, loss of the deceased individual’s companionship, funeral and burial costs, and emotional distress.
Obtain the Assistance of a Skilled Ohio Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
In the moments following Liberty Township motorcycle accidents, riders can find their lives forever changed. If someone else was responsible for the accident, remember that you have the right to pursue compensation. Contact Kruger & Hodges today to schedule a free case evaluation a motorcycle accident lawyer serving Liberty Township, Ohio.
