Ohio seems to be popular amongst bikers, with a total of 388,108 registered motorcycles in our beautiful state. However, the number of motorcycle accidents occurring in our state has also been on the rise, with over a thousand collisions being reported by the Ohio State Highway Patrol each year. From those, 160 motorcyclist fatalities occurred in 2019 alone.
Although riding can be a joy for all bikers, accidents almost seem inevitable if we go by the statistics. Considering the structural makeup of motorcycles, they certainly leave their riders more vulnerable to road accidents than the occupants of passenger vehicles. When you are riding a motorcycle, take the utmost care of yourself while you are on the road, and be prepared to face the worst, lest you are indeed met with an accident.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Roads are unpredictable, and so are the accidents that occur on them. However, there are several types of motorcycle accidents that are fairly more common than others. These include:
Head-on Collisions, where the motorcycle directly collides with a larger vehicle. These accidents are usually fatal for the rider, but the passengers of the vehicle can get by with major or even minor injuries.
Collisions With Stationary Objects, such as vehicles parked alongside the road, or constructions built close to the road. In most such accidents, the rider only suffers from minor injuries unless the stationary object is large in size.
Drunk Driving, when the accident occurs due to the rider’s instability while under the influence of alcohol. While the impact of the accident may differ from one case to another, obtaining monetary compensation for these accidents is difficult as the rider is largely at fault. More often than not, the rider will have to end up compensating for property damage or even causing physical harm to others.
Left-Hand Turn Accidents, where a motorcyclist is unexpectedly hit by a larger vehicle while overtaking it or passing it. Larger vehicles are sometimes unable to notice the smaller motorcycles, making such accidents fairly common.
Lane Splitting, where an accident occurs while a motorcyclist is trying to pass through the distance between two larger vehicles and accidentally gets hit. These accidents often occur when riders try to swerve through busy roads.
What are the common types of injuries?
If you are lucky enough to not collide with a larger vehicle or stationary body, then you might sustain light to severe injuries from a motorcycle accident. Common types of injuries include:
Broken or fractured bones
Burns
Facial fractures
Concussions
Disfigurement
Open wounds
Blood loss and internal bleeding
These injuries may later develop into severe cases that result in amputations, disabilities, and paralysis. Besides having physical consequences, accidents may also result in psychological trauma and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which may leave the victim’s entire life in shambles.
Receiving the Compensation You Deserve
In the event of a motorcycle accident in which you suffer significant injuries and had no active fault in causing the accident, you are designated to receive compensation, either from the perpetrator of the accident or from your insurance company, based on the degree of severity of your injuries. In either case, though, the other party will try to get away with paying you a minuscule amount.
You should be wary of such attempts and allow your lawyer to handle such out-of-court negotiations. If need be, the matter should proceed to court to get you the compensation you deserve.
What Should You Do After Getting Into a Motorcycle Accident in Greenville, Ohio
Informing the authorities and getting your injuries treated by a healthcare professional are your very first responsibilities if you ever get into a motorcycle accident. If you find the need to, it is always a good idea to hire an attorney to guide and advise you from the initial phases of the case so that you do not end up missing out on any steps.
If you choose to not hire a lawyer early on in your case, make sure that you at least collect enough documented evidence for your case. This involves pictures of your injuries as well as the accident scene. Also gather up enough information about the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident, including its license plate and insurance number, the name of its owner, and its make and model.
Have You Been in a Motorcycle Accident in Greenville, Ohio?
Handling an accident lawsuit without the help of a motorcycle crash lawyer can feel extremely complex and unnecessarily time-consuming, especially due to the nature of the laws that Ohio follows. If you or someone you know in Greenville, Ohio have gotten into a motorcycle accident, we here at Kruger & Hodges are here to help. Please reach out to our team of personal injury attorneys to schedule a free, no-risk consultation with us today. Call 937-733-6079.
