What Are Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident?
If a careless or negligent motorist injures you while you're motorcycling in New Mexico, discuss your options and rights, and particularly your right to recover compensation, as quickly as possible with an Albuquerque motorcycle accident lawyer.
Motorcycle accidents don't happen more frequently than other traffic accidents, but they are more likely to result in severe injuries or fatalities. Motorcyclists should be aware of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents and use this information wisely.
Negligent automobile, truck, and bus drivers are responsible for far too many motorcycle accidents. If one of these drivers injures you, an Albuquerque motorcycle accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and related damages.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
The leading reasons for motorcycle accidents and injuries in New Mexico are:
- Negligence: Too many motorcycle accidents happen because one party was distracted, speeding, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. While negligence is a common cause of traffic accidents, injuries in a motorcycle accident are likely to be severe or fatal.
- Lack of experience: Experienced motorcyclists know how to deal with other drivers and hazardous road conditions, but experience takes time and effort. Until you master motorcycling, it's better to avoid the busiest streets and highways.
- Other drivers making left turns: This is a motorcyclist's most hazardous situation. Left turns are a factor in over 40 percent of all automobile-motorcycle collisions.
- Lane-splitting: It's dangerous when a motorcyclist moves between lanes or tries to move between lanes in heavy traffic. Truck, bus, and automobile drivers expect motorcycles to be inside, not between lanes.
- Roadway hazards: Motorcyclists face more threats from road hazards than other vehicles. Unexpected debris on the road, dead animals, potholes, and slick pavement pose serious safety threats to motorcyclists.
What Injuries Are Commonly Sustained by Motorcyclists?
Motorcyclists sustain more injuries than automobile, bus, and truck drivers and passengers because they don't have the protection that enclosed vehicles provide.
The U.S. Department of Transportation tells us that the most severe motorcycle accidents happen when motorcycles are in head-on collisions. In motorcycle accidents, motorcyclists may suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries: A research study conducted by the Department of Transportation found that in motorcycle accidents, 21 percent of motorcycle riders without helmets sustained traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries: If the impact of a motorcycle accident injures the spinal cord, the result may be partial or total paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia) and permanent disability.
- Internal injuries: Penetration (when something like metal or broken glass breaks the skin) or blunt-force trauma may cause serious internal injuries or internal bleeding.
- Lower-extremity injuries: Injuries to the legs are the most common injuries that motorcyclists sustain in motorcycling accidents.
- Fractures: Accidents happen rapidly, and motorcycles usually fall over in accidents and may catch a rider's leg beneath the motorcycle. Wrists are frequently sprained, and arms may be fractured when motorcyclists attempt to brace themselves as they fall over.
- Road rash: If you contact a road's surface in a motorcycle accident, you may suffer abrasions known as road rash. Road rash victims are at risk for serious infections and permanent scarring.
How Can You Avoid Motorcycle Accidents?
There's no way to ensure a motorcyclist won't be injured, but motorcyclists can reduce the chances of collisions and injuries by following these safety tips:
- Always ensure that your motorcycle's lights and brakes are functioning correctly.
- Always wear boots, gloves, a jacket, and a helmet when you ride.
- If a driver is operating a vehicle recklessly, don't let that driver get behind you.
- Keep ample space between the nearest vehicle and your motorcycle.
- Make the effort to avoid drivers' blind spots.
- Watch for drivers emerging from between parked cars and making blind turns.
How Can Motorcycle Injury Victims Recover Compensation?
Under New Mexico law, a motorcyclist injured by a negligent car, bus, or truck driver is entitled to pursue compensation for injury-related medical expenses, lost wages, personal pain and suffering, and related damages and losses.
If a negligent motorist injures you while you're motorcycling in New Mexico, an experienced Albuquerque motorcycle accident lawyer can explain your options and rights. Schedule a meeting with a motorcycle lawyer immediately after a medical provider has treated you for your injuries.
If a negligent driver has injured you, you cannot afford to wait. An Albuquerque motorcycle accident attorney will negotiate with the negligent driver's insurance company for the compensation you need. Negotiation is the way most motorcycle accident claims are resolved.
Could Your Case Go to Trial?
If no acceptable settlement offer is made in private negotiations, or if liability for the motorcycle accident is disputed, an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer will take your injury claim to court and explain to jurors how seriously you were injured and why you should be compensated.
With rare exceptions, the statute of limitations in New Mexico for taking legal action after a motorcycle collision is three years from the accident date, but you must not wait three years or even three weeks to contact a motorcycle accident attorney at Gauthier & Maier Law Firm.
Your attorney needs to examine evidence while it's fresh and speak to the witnesses before memories fade. Taking legal action as quickly as possible puts you in the best position to prevail with a lawsuit based on a motorcycle accident.
We Fight for Injured Motorcyclists' Rights
If you've suffered an injury in the Albuquerque area because someone else was negligent while you were motorcycling, or if a negligent driver injures you in the future, immediately take your injury claim to Gauthier & Maier Law Firm.
We've recovered millions of dollars for the injured victims of negligence in New Mexico. Your first consultation with Gauthier & Maier is provided at no cost or obligation. You'll receive sound, personalized advice and learn how New Mexico law applies in your own injury case.
If a negligent or careless motorist injures you in a motorcycle collision, or to learn more about your rights as a victim of negligence, promptly contact Gauthier & Maier Law Firm by calling our Albuquerque offices at 505-226-0009.