Trustworthy Newark, Delaware Lawyers Fight for Motorcycle Accident Victims
Advocating for the rights of injured riders in Delaware
The majority of motorcycle accidents are the result of carelessness or negligence on the part of other drivers—things like turning in front of a bike instead of giving it right of way, drifting into a motorcyclist’s lane, or colliding with a bike while driving distracted. Because of a motorcycle’s small size, a careless or intoxicated driver can easily overlook one on the road.
And, because of that smaller size, motorcycle riders rarely leave the scene of a serious accident unhurt, even when they’ve taken the appropriate safety precautions and worn protective gear. Severe injuries can leave a motorcyclist with long-term or permanent injuries or, in extreme cases, accidents can be fatal. Often the driver of the passenger vehicle who caused the accident can walk away without a scratch.
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman can help when you or a loved one are injured in a bike crash. We collect all information pertinent to your accident, study evidence, determine who is responsible for your injuries, and act to secure compensation for your losses.
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Causes of motorcycle accidents
If you ride a motorcycle, you know what a pleasure it is to take your bike out on the road on a great day. However, these rides can easily turn tragic in the event of an accident, due to the lack of protection motorcycles provide. Delaware has about 13 motorcycle fatalities per year.
The most common causes of motorcycle accidents involve:
- Reduced visibility. Motorcycles are smaller than other passenger vehicles on the road. Sometimes they can be difficult to spot until it’s too late to avoid an accident. Ensure your headlights and brake lights work properly before taking your bike out.
- Distracted driving. Driving while distracted is against the law, but that still doesn’t deter many people from doing it. Texting, grooming, or eating behind the wheel—when a driver takes their eyes off the road for even a second, they can completely miss a motorcycle in their path.
- Rear-end crashes. During what many cars and trucks experience as a simple fender-bender, a motorcyclist may be completely thrown from their bike—into oncoming traffic or a stationary object—and suffer severe injuries.
- Drunk drivers. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is obviously both illegal and dangerous. An intoxicated driver drives recklessly, has poor judgement, and bad reflexes. This is a recipe for disaster for a motorcyclist who has the misfortune to get in their way.
- Blind corners and turns. Navigating turns can be hazardous for riders even when there aren’t any cars involved. But when motorcyclists are sharing the road with other vehicles, they run the risk of a driver not noticing them when they come around a corner.
- Roadway hazards. Potholes, fallen truck cargo, tree debris, or slick conditions can make a pleasure ride into a battlefield. If you suffer an accident or injury, our Newark, DE attorneys will look into who’s responsible and hold them accountable.
- Speeding and reckless driving. Aggressive drivers are extremely dangerous behind the wheel. Drivers with road rage may tailgate you, swerve back and forth between lanes, or even run you off the road. These types of people can cause terrible accidents, especially with motorcyclists.
Common motorcycle accident injuries
Even a single-rider motorcycle crash can cause broken bones or abrasions. Colliding with a car or other passenger vehicle can lead to more catastrophic injuries that can leave a motorcyclist permanently disabled. Some accidents are so serious that a loved one may lose their life.
Some common injuries drivers and passengers sustain in motorcycle crashes include:
- Lacerations
- Facial injuries
- Road rash and other burns
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fractured and broken bones
- Chronic pain
- Amputations
- Internal organ injuries
- Paralysis and other spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
It’s always worth reiterating that helmets can save lives and reduce head injuries and trauma in a motorcycle crash. The state of Delaware has a mandatory helmet law for riders under the age of eighteen.
How our Newark injury attorneys can help
No matter how carefully you drive your motorcycle, how well you obey traffic laws, and how much protective gear you wear, you can’t stop a reckless driver from causing an accident. And because of the size and lack of a protective “cage” around your bike, you’re much more likely to suffer injuries in a crash with a passenger vehicle.
Our Newark, DE injury attorneys are well-versed in personal injury law, and bring that experience to the table to help you recover compensation for your losses, including the following:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Lost wages, current and future, when you can’t work due to your injuries
- Pain and suffering, physical and emotional
- Punitive damages awarded by the court in appropriate cases
We understand that there is a bias against motorcycle riders, and part of our job is to ensure your case is presented and heard without prejudice. Our expert legal team investigates your claim from top to bottom, building the strongest case possible to hold the guilty party accountable for causing you injury and harm.
Schedule a call with a skilled motorcycle accident attorney today
The legal team at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman fight for the rights of motorcycle accident victims in Delaware. We work to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries when you’re hurt in a collision or accident that’s not your fault. Having one of our lawyers on your side gives you the best chance for maximum recovery. Call us at 302-888-2900 or fill out our contact form to set up a free consultation in our Newark, DE office. We also maintain offices in Wilmington and Seaford.
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