Wilmington Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Experienced representation for motorcycle drivers and passengers
There’s nothing like the wind in your hair as you ride along Wilmington’s roads. Many motorcycle owners ride for the sheer freedom and adventure of being on the open roads. Others ride because a motorcycle is the only form of transportation they can afford. All motorcycle owners should know that motorcycles are extremely dangerous because many car and truck drivers fail to see the motorcycle or fail to respect the rights of a motorcycle operator.
At Silverman, McDonald, & Friedman, our lawyers understand how devastating it is when a loved one is killed due to driver negligence or defective motorcycle parts. Our compassionate lawyers fight to hold anyone who causes a motorcycle accident in Wilmington responsible for the injuries that change your life forever, or for the months you need to heal. Our lawyers have earned the respect of clients, insurance adjusters, and defense counsel for our ability to tenaciously argue your case. We have a strong track record of settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases including motorcycle crashes.
Quick Questions
- How common are motorcycle accidents and injuries?
- What are common injuries from Wilmington motorcycle accidents?
- What are the causes of motorcycle accidents in Wilmington?
- Who is liable for a Wilmington motorcycle accident?
- What’s the value of my Wilmington motorcycle accident lawsuit?
- How can motorcycle riders in Wilmington protect themselves?
How common are motorcycle accidents and injuries?
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), there were more than 5,000 fatal motorcycle accidents nationwide for each year between 2015 and 2019. During that same time, there were at least 82,000 injuries due to motorcycle accidents each year.
Motorcycle accidents are extremely dangerous because motorcycles do not have hoods, trunks, side doors, or roofs like cars do. This means when a motorcycle crash occurs, the riders are likely to either be thrown to the hard road or into the vehicle that struck them.
What are common injuries from motorcycle accidents in Wilmington?
When a motorcycle collides with a car or a truck, the rider and his/her passenger are likely to suffer catastrophic injuries. Many riders die as a result of a motorcycle accident.
Catastrophic injuries require a lifetime of care and affect your ability to work and function. Permanent injuries cause a lifetime of pain. Even with injuries such as broken bones that heal, the pain and suffering can be unbearable. For example, getting to sleep can be impossible.
Motorcycle accident victims are likely to suffer one or more of the following injuries:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Burns
- Loss of a limb
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve, muscle, or ligament damage
- Chronic pain
- Neck, shoulder, and back injuries
- Hearing or vision loss
- Death
Note: Delaware does require that riders wear a helmet if they are under the age of 18, which may reduce the risk of a fatal head injury.
Why do Wilmington motorcycle accidents happen?
One of the primary causes of motorcycle accidents is driver negligence. Often, people in cars and trucks fail to respect the rights of motorcycle operators with whom they share the road. Some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Violating any traffic laws
- Driver fatigue
- Reckless driving
- Not understanding the motorcycle operator’s hand signals
- Blind spots
- Negligent lane changes and turns
- Car door openings
However, not all truck collisions with cars or 18-wheelers are the fault of those vehicles’ drivers. Contributing factors may be:
- Potholes and uneven roads
- Defective motorcycle parts
- Lack of the motorcycle rider’s skills
- Driving too fast for traffic conditions
- Riding two abreast in a lane
- Lane splitting
At Silverman, McDonald, & Friedman, we work with investigators and conduct extensive discovery to determine how the accident happened, and who is responsible. If necessary, we work with traffic reconstruction experts. Our lawyers hold drivers accountable when their negligence causes any type of motorcycle accident. We also file claims against the manufacturers of defective motorcycle parts when brakes, fuel lines, lights, and other defects cause a motorcycle to crash.
Who is liable for a Wilmington motorcycle accident?
Our Wilmington motorcycle accident lawyers file claims against any party responsible for a motorcycle crash, including:
- The driver of a car, truck, or another vehicle
- The owners of the vehicle when the owners and driver are not the same
- The manufacturer, distributor, or seller of a defective motorcycle part
- The Delaware Department of Transportation or any state or county entity that failed to design a road properly or failed to maintain the road properly
Other defendants may also be liable.
What’s the value of my Wilmington motorcycle accident lawsuit?
Injured victims have the right to be placed into as near a position financially, physically, and emotionally as they were before the accident. Our Wilmington personal injury lawyers pay attention to all the small details that can add up to a large settlement or verdict. We focus on how your injuries have affected you to date, and how they are likely to affect you for the rest of your life.
Motorcycle accident injury victims can claim the following damages in Delaware injury claims:
- Medical bill payments. All your ER, hospital, doctor, rehabilitation, medication, and assistive device bills should be paid by the insurance companies for the responsible defendants.
- Lost income. We demand payment for all your financial losses because you couldn’t work and may never work.
- Pain and suffering. Injury victims are entitled to compensation for all their physical agony and emotional worries including loss of bodily function and your inability to enjoy life’s pleasures.
- Scarring and disfigurement. Anyone who has scars, especially on the face, or is disfigured due to a loss of a body part, burns, or other disfigurements is entitled to additional compensation.
- Property damage. If your motorcycle is damaged, you have the right to demand damages for the cost to fix it. If the bicycle is totaled, you can demand the cost to replace your bike.
- Loss of consortium. Your spouse can seek compensation because your injuries affect your spouse’s marital relationship.
We seek punitive damages in some cases where a defendant has been especially reckless or negligent. We also seek wrongful death damages if a spouse, parent, or child was killed in a Wilmington motorcycle accident.
How can motorcycle riders in Wilmington protect themselves?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA) recommends that motorcycle owners and drivers:
- Enroll in a motorcycle driving course.
- Try to recognize a truck or car’s blind spots.
- Do thorough research on the type of motorcycle they need before buying the bike.
- Drive defensively.
- Understand how to ride on bad roads and in bad weather.
- Wear helmets, eye protection, gloves for gripping, non-slip boots, and snug pants and jackets.
- Read the owner’s manual and inspect the motorcycle before each trip.
- Keep a safe following distance.
- Communicate your intention to turn and other maneuvers to other drivers.
- Follow the local traffic laws.
- Imagine that other vehicles cannot see you.
Insurance requirements for Wilmington motorcycle owners
One of the best ways a rider can protect him or herself is to purchase enough insurance. Motorcycles owners are required to have:
- Liability Insurance:
- $15,000 bodily injury per person
- $30,000 bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 property damage per accident
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP):
- $15,000 per person
- $30,000 per accident
Owners should also purchase as much uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) insurance as they can afford in case the responsible defendants don’t have any or enough insurance to pay your claim. Owners should also consider collision insurance to cover any damage to the motorcycle – regardless of fault.
Are your motorcycle accident lawyers near me?
Our motorcycle accident and injury attorneys serve clients throughout the Delaware area, with offices in Seaford, Newark, and Wilmington. Our Wilmington office is located at 1523 Concord Pike, Suite 400. If you cannot travel due to your injuries, we can come to you.
Talk with our seasoned Wilmington motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible
We’re here for you. Our Wilmington motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to answer all your questions. We’ll immediately begin to investigate your case and work with your doctors. We’ll work aggressively to prepare your case for negotiation with the insurance adjusters and for trial. At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we anticipate the arguments insurers and defense lawyers make to contest your claim. Please call 302-888-2900 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our Wilmington motorcycle accident lawyers are ready when you need us most.