Motorcycle/Bicycle Accidents

Riders on motorcycles and bicycles face a level of vulnerability on the road that drivers of enclosed vehicles simply do not, and when a collision occurs, the resulting injuries are often severe. 24/7 MyLawyer connects injured riders with attorneys who understand the unique challenges these claims present, including the biases riders sometimes face from insurance adjusters and juries alike.

Understanding the Unique Risks Riders Face

With minimal protection between the rider and the road, motorcycle and bicycle accidents frequently result in more severe injuries than equivalent collisions involving fully enclosed vehicles. Drivers of cars and trucks often fail to see riders in time, particularly at intersections or when changing lanes, leading to devastating impacts.

How These Collisions Typically Happen

Driver Failure to Yield

Left turn collisions and failures to yield at intersections remain among the most common causes of serious motorcycle and bicycle crashes, often occurring because a driver simply did not look carefully enough before proceeding.

Unsafe Passing and Road Hazards

Drivers passing too closely, sudden lane changes, and poorly maintained road surfaces such as potholes or debris also contribute significantly to rider injuries.

Injuries Frequently Sustained by Riders

Road rash, fractures, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, and amputations are commonly documented following motorcycle and bicycle crashes, given the lack of a protective vehicle frame surrounding the rider’s body.

Overcoming Bias Against Riders

Riders sometimes face an unfair presumption of recklessness simply because of the vehicle they were operating, even when the true fault lies entirely with a negligent driver. Countering this bias with clear evidence, including traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction, is often central to securing a fair outcome.

Compensation for Injured Riders

Injured motorcyclists and cyclists may pursue damages for medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost income, damaged equipment, and pain and suffering associated with the physical and emotional aftermath of the collision.

Protective Gear and Its Role in a Claim

Insurance companies sometimes attempt to argue that a lack of certain protective gear contributed to the severity of a rider’s injuries, even in states where such gear is not legally required. While this argument can occasionally reduce a settlement, it does not eliminate a driver’s underlying fault for causing the collision in the first place. A well prepared legal strategy addresses this argument directly with medical evidence and applicable state law, rather than allowing it to unfairly diminish the compensation an injured rider deserves.

The Value of Dedicated Legal Advocacy

An attorney experienced in motorcycle and bicycle accident claims understands how to push back against unfair assumptions, present clear evidence of the other driver’s fault, and calculate the full extent of a rider’s damages, including long term rehabilitation and lost earning capacity. Each case is approached with attention to the specific circumstances of the crash, the rider’s injuries, and their individual recovery needs, ensuring the pursuit of compensation reflects the real impact on that person’s life rather than a generic estimate.

24/7 MyLawyer connects injured riders with independent attorneys ready to fight for the fair treatment and compensation they deserve.

Common Questions From Injured Riders

Will I automatically be blamed because I was riding a motorcycle or bicycle

No, fault is determined by the specific facts of the crash rather than the type of vehicle involved, though unfair assumptions can still influence early settlement offers.

What if the driver claims they never saw me

A driver’s failure to see a rider does not excuse their duty to look carefully before turning, changing lanes, or entering an intersection.

Is my bicycle or motorcycle damage covered along with my injuries

Property damage is often pursued alongside a personal injury claim, allowing repair or replacement costs to be addressed as part of the same overall case.

Disclaimer: 24/7 MyLawyer is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. 24/7 MyLawyer is a tele-legal platform that connects individuals with a select network of independent, licensed attorneys who provide legal services in accordance with the laws and professional rules of their jurisdictions and consistent with 24/7 MyLawyer’s Priority Access mission to serve clients in need.