America’s Most Familiar Motorcycle Accident Law Firm—Proven Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Motorcycle enthusiasts face an unparalleled risk of being involved in a serious collision, which generally results in severe injuries or even wrongful death. Motorcycles lack most of the safety features that are typical in other motor vehicles, including a frame with structural protection, seatbelts and airbags. Motorcycles are also far less forgiving when a rider makes an error and offer much more limited handling during evasive maneuvers designed to avoid a road hazard.
At Jacoby and Meyers, we know that motorcycles are less crashworthy so they are more likely to be involved in a collision with a car, truck, SUV or tractor-trailer. A motorcycle accident is also likely to cause far more serious injuries than a closed vehicle.
Overwhelming Evidence That Motorcycle Accidents Pose Deadly Risk
The statistical risk posed to motorcycle riders is clear when one considers a few statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Almost 5000 people per year die in fatal motorcycle accidents. During a recent seven-year period, the number of motorcycle accident fatalities jumped a staggering 78 percent. While motorcycles constitute only 3 percent of all motor vehicles, they account for 13 percent of motor vehicle related fatalities. The relative danger posed to motorcycle enthusiasts is reflected by the fact that anyone on a motorcycle is 5 1/2 times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident than someone in a passenger vehicle. As startling as these numbers may seem, they actually understate the risk to motorcycle riders because they do not account for the lower number of vehicle miles traveled by those who ride motorcycles. A motorcycle enthusiast is 35 times more likely to die in a car crash than passenger vehicle occupants on a per mile driven basis.
While rider inexperience contributes to a substantial number of motorcycle accidents, even an experienced and extremely cautious motorcycle rider may be involved in a serious motorcycle accident. Motorcycles are inherently unstable, meaning that when emergencies or road hazards occur in front of a motorcyclist there is far more danger in trying to execute drastic over-steering maneuvers or slamming on the brakes. Motorcyclists who employ either of these accident avoidance techniques face a substantial risk of laying down their motorcycle and having their body slammed against the pavement with absolutely no vehicle structural protection. Motorcycle riders also are far less visible than other motor vehicles and are easily lost in a driver’s blind spot.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
Our experienced team of motorcycle attorneys at Jacoby of Meyers has handled thousands of motorcycle accident cases throughout the country involving a wide range of causes including the following:
- Drivers of passenger vehicle who execute unsafe lane changes
- Motorcycle malfunctions
- Motorcycle manufacturing or design defects
- Roadway defects including potholes and ridges
- Motorists whose vision is obstructed by glare or other vehicles
- Slick roadways due to ice or snow
- Failure to respect a motorcyclist’s right of way
- Driver’s failure to see or identify a motorcycle
- Deliberate unsafe actions by a passenger vehicle driver who does not respect motorcyclists
- Drivers of passenger vehicles impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Inattentive or distracted drivers of passenger vehicles
- Drivers who are speeding or otherwise engage in unsafe driving practices
There are a virtually limitless number of potential causes of motorcycle accidents. Because Jacoby and Meyers is America’s most recognizable name in handling serious motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle accidents, we bring a proven record of successful settlements and verdicts in motorcycle cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. Since the injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident are typically so severe, it is important to have a law firm on your side with an established record of proven results when negotiating with the other driver’s insurance company. The experienced team of motorcycle attorneys at Jacoby and Meyers routinely conduct an extensive investigation and exhaustive discovery to build the strongest possible claim in your motorcycle accident lawsuit. Our professional reputation, which is based on our extensive track record litigating motorcycle accident cases against insurance companies since 1972, gives us a unique advantage in negotiation discussions. However, we consistently prepare cases for trial because that allows us to negotiate from a position of strength.
Motorcycle Accidents Typically Result in Life Altering Injuries
The most dangerous type of injury in most motorcycle accidents is a head injury, which may result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is why it is essential to wear a motorcycle helmet at all times. A careful analysis of statistical data shows that the number of fatal motorcycle accidents directly correlates to the scope of a state’s mandatory helmet law. Motorcycle helmets are considered to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal head injuries during motorcycle crashes. The NHTSA estimates that in a recent year motorcycle helmets saved the lives of almost 1,800 motorcycle enthusiasts, and an additional 800 people’s lives would have been saved had they been wearing helmets.
Those injured in a motorcycle helmet frequently suffer catastrophic injuries that may have permanent life-altering consequences including the following:
- Amputations of limbs
- TBIs
- Quadriplegia or paraplegia caused by damages to the spinal cord
- Potential fatal vital organ injury
- Wrongful death
This type of devastating injury typically impairs a person’s quality of life and results in substantial periods of time off work. Many catastrophic injuries of this nature render a motorcycle accident victim permanently disabled and unable to care for themselves or their families. Our experienced and compassionate team of motorcycle attorneys at Jacoby and Meyers understand the enormous emotional, physical and financial challenges faced by victims of catastrophic injuries suffered in motorcycle collisions. We tenaciously pursue the best possible recovery on behalf of our motorcycle accident clients, which may result in recovery of economic damages like lost wages and lost income and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and impairment of your quality of life. There are many other types of damages that we may be able to recover for you based on the specifics of your motorcycle accident case.
Contact Jacoby & Meyers – Your Proven Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers will carefully investigate the facts of your motorcycle accident claim to identify all potential defendants including other motorists, the manufacturers or your motorcycle or the public entity who failed to corrected defects in the roadway surface.
We invite you to contact us today to find out how Jacoby & Meyers can help you with all of your legal needs. We have offices nationwide, including Southern California, New York, Alabama, Florida, and Arizona so call us at 1-800-411-4LAW to see how we can help.
