West Chester Motorcycle Crash Attorney
Located between Sharonville and Liberty Township, West Chester is the most populous township in Ohio. Motorcyclists enjoy riding throughout the township on Interstate 275, Interstate 75, Reading Road, and many of the other heavily traveled roads in Ohio.
While many motorcyclists travel safely, others end up in life-changing accidents. Data gathered by the Ohio Department of Transportation reveals that the number of deadly motorcycle accidents in Ohio rose by 50% from 2013 to 2016, and then declined slightly.
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Common Causes of Ohio Motorcycle Accidents
Most of Ohio’s motorcycle accidents involve cars or trucks. While some people believe that motorcycle accidents only occur due the negligent actions of the motorcycle rider, in truth, they can be caused by a number of different factors. Motorcycle accidents can be caused by drunk or intoxicated drivers, ending up in a motor vehicle driver’s blind spots, drivers unexpectedly turning in front of motorcyclists at intersections, and motor vehicle operators failing to leave adequate room between them and motorcyclists.
No two motorcycle accidents are the same. While many involve multiple vehicles, some only involve one. While some motorcycle accidents result in cuts and scratches, others result in partial paralysis. Each of these accidents can result in devastating injuries for the victims. Some of the most common injuries that motorcycle accident victims incur include:
- Back injuries
- Biker’s arm
- Broken and fractured bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal organ damage
- Joint damage
- Neck pain
- Road rash
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord damage
- Torn ligaments
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
Many of these injuries leave victims unable to return to how life was before the accident. Instead, victims often have to take substantial time off of work and go through intensive sessions of therapy and other medical rehabilitation.
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Holding Parties Accountable After West Chester Motorcycle Accidents
Many people view motorcyclists as daredevils, but in reality, when motorcycle accidents occur, it is often the fault of the motor vehicle drivers rather than motorcyclists. One of the many ways in which motor vehicle drivers commonly cause accidents is failing to notice motorcyclists, who can quickly disappear in vehicle blind spots. Motor vehicle drivers who cause accidents should be held accountable.
Ohio is classified as an “at fault” motor vehicle accident state, which means that an accident victim must establish that an accident was caused by the improper conduct of another party. Establishing fault can be challenging, however, because negligent drivers often refuse to admit fault.
Another aspect of Ohio law that makes motorcycle accidents complex is that Ohio is classified as a comparative negligence state. This means that multiple parties can be found responsible for an accident. In these situations, responsibility for an accident is divided based on each driver’s level of fault. For example, a person who is 10% responsible for a motorcycle accident would only be able to receive 90% of the compensation due for damages resulting from the accident.
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Compensation for Ohio Motorcycle Accident Victims
In accordance with Ohio state law, motorcyclists have the ability to pursue compensation from the party responsible for their accidents. Obtaining compensation is often challenging, though. For one reason, insurance carriers often decide to either fight liability or offer motorcycle accident victims less than they deserve.
Even in situations in which an insurance carrier agrees to pay compensation, this does not mean that the amount the company provides will be fair. Instead, insurance carriers often work aggressively to reduce the amount of compensation offered. Rather than accept a lowball offer, motorcycle accident victims should realize that compensation should make up for several types of damages including:
- Emergency medical costs
- Lost wages as well as the loss of earning capacity
- Motorcycle repair or replacement
- Ongoing medical care
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
- Rehabilitative services
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Pursuing Wrongful Death Action
If a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, our lawyers can help pursue a wrongful death claim. While compensation for this loss will not replace your loved one, it can provide you with much-needed funds to pay for things like funeral and burial costs and to cover the income lost due to your loved one’s death.
Victims need to act quickly, however, because Ohio law requires a person to file a wrongful death action within two years of the loved one’s death. Attempting to file a claim outside of this window means that you will likely be barred from pursuing compensation.
Speak with a Knowledgeable Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Ohio motorcycle accidents often leave victims facing devastating consequences. A skilled motorcycle attorney at Kruger & Hodges can help you obtain compensation for a motorcycle accident in West Chester, Ohio.
Call or text 513-894-3333 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form