Bear Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Fighting for injured motorcycle riders and families for a combined 100 years
While there are many joys to riding a motorcycle, the reality is that riding a motorcycle is dangerous. Car drivers don’t respect you. Bad roads can easily cause a spill. Curved roads and bad weather can be a nightmare. At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we hold drivers who cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, road rash, and other injuries accountable. We demand compensation for all your financial damages and personal suffering. Our Bear motorcycle accident lawyers represent injured motorcycle drivers and passengers. We also represent families when motorcycle accidents are deadly. Call us today to hold the responsible people liable.
How can we help?
- How catastrophic are motorcycle accidents?
- What different types of motorcycle accidents happen in Bear?
- What causes a motorcycle crash to happen?
- What injuries do victims of motorcycle accidents suffer?
- What laws do Delaware motorcycle operators need to follow?
- How do you fight for victims and families when motorcycle accidents happen?
How catastrophic are motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycles are dangerous for several key reasons. They’re much smaller than cars which means the motorcycle will absorb most of the force of any impact. Unlike cars, motorcycles do not have the physical protection of hoods, trunks, roofs, and doors. Motorcycle riders are more difficult to control than cars and if it rains, the roads will be slippery and the falling rain will make it hard to focus.
Sadly, the data bear out these dangers. The Delaware State Police reported that 16 riders died and 284 were injured in motorcycle (and scooter) accidents in 2023. Of the 16 riders who died, 10 died in Bear’s home county of New Castle. The state police report also states that in nearly 3 of every 4 motorcycle accidents, those who don’t die are likely to suffer injuries.
What different types of motorcycle accidents happen in Bear?
Our Bear motorcycle accident lawyers represent injury victims and families in every type of motorcycle accident including:
- Head-on accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Lane splitting accidents
- Accidents with cars, trucks, and other larger vehicles
- Accident with other motorcycles
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Dooring accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Accidents due to dangerous road conditions
- Accidents due to bad weather
- Accidents caused by the lack of motorcycle riding experience
- Any other type of motorcycle accident
What injuries do victims of motorcycle accidents suffer?
At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we work with all types of doctors including neurosurgeons, orthopedists, general surgeons, ER doctors, family doctors, and other physicians. We’ll verify your injuries, obtain reports that explain all your medical needs, and review with your doctors and you all the ways your injuries are making your life difficult and traumatic.
Motorcycle accidents often cause injuries that require a lifetime of care, chronic pain, and continual agony. Many motorcycle crashes are fatal. Our Bear motorcycle accident lawyers work with your doctors to verify your injuries; understand the surgeries and rehabilitative care you need, and how your injuries are affecting your ability to work, function, and enjoy your life and your family.
Some of the many types of motorcycle injuries we handle include:
- Road rash. This injury occurs when riders slide along the asphalt cutting into the skin of their arms, face, and other exposed body parts. Road rash victims may need skin grafts and plastic surgery.
- Traumatic brain injuries. Riders who fall on their head may suffer this life-changing injury, especially if they’re not wearing a helmet.
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis. This injury can result in partial or full paralysis, herniated discs, nerve damage, and a lifetime of chronic pain.
- Leg and foot injuries. Your legs and feet may become entangled in the wheels of the motorcycle causing amputations and fractures.
- Traumatic amputation. When any body part collides with the metal or glass of the vehicles or the hard ground may need to have all or part of their legs and arms amputated.
- Fractures/broken bones. There are 206 bones in the human body. Anyone can break in a motorcycle accident.
- Third-degree burn injuries. Some Bear motorcycle accident victims may need to be taken to a burn center or emergency room for treatment of burns caused by fuel or chemicals that ignite.
- Kidney, lung, spleen, and other types of organ damage.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Death.
What causes a motorcycle crash to happen?
Our Bear motorcycle accident lawyers work with law enforcement, our own investigators, motorcycle product experts, and reconstruction experts when necessary to show how your accident happened and why it was preventable. Some of the common reasons motorcycle accidents happen”
- Car and driver neglect. Car drivers and truck drivers often fail to see a motorcycle on their road. When they do, these drivers often fail to understand how to react. At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we hold drivers accountable when they don’t respect your right to share the same road.
- All new motorcycle riders take motorcycle education courses. Delaware offers beginner riders, experienced riders, and others educational courses.
- Driver distraction. Drivers of cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles can cause severe accidents if they text, use a cell phone, drink, eat, or look at a GPS while driving. Our lawyers have the skills to show the driver who struck you was distracted.
- Driving while intoxicated or impaired by drugs. The golden rule of driving is – Never ever drink and drive. Any driver who drives while impaired deserves to be held liable for any injuries or deaths they cause.
- Lane splitting. Driving a motorcycle in the same lane as another driver, while not illegal, is dangerous. Drivers who split lanes may be liable for any accidents they cause.
- Bad weather. Motorcycle riders have no protection from the elements including rain, sun, snow, sleet, and fog.
- Dangerous roads. A motorcycle rider can easily fall or lose control if the rider hits an animal on the road, drives over a pothole, or just hits a stone on the road.
- Defective motorcycle parts. Motorcycle manufacturers owe a duty to their riders to make safe motorcycle parts including safe tires, brakes, throttles, steering systems, and electrical systems.
What laws do Delaware motorcycle operators need to follow?
Delaware has many laws that regulate the operation of a motorcycle, the equipment riders must have, and the equipment the motorcycle must have. Riders should also take precautions such as making sure they are visible to other drivers and that they wear clothing to help reduce the severity of road rash.
- Helmets. As of July 2023, every person who drives or is a passenger on a motorcycle must wear a helmet during the first two years from the date the driver obtains their license. All riders under 19 must always wear a helmet.
- Motorcycles must have footrests for passengers unless there is an enclosed cab or a sidecar), one rearview mirror, front and back turn signals that work, and a working muffler system.
- The following minimum insurance requirements:
- Bodily injury protection: $25,000 per person/ $50,000 per accident
- Property damage: $10,000
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $15,000/$30,000
Motorcycle drivers must have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license. Drivers must also obey the Delaware traffic laws.
How do you fight for victims and families when motorcycle accidents happen?
At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we file personal injury and wrongful death claims against everyone who causes an accident including:
- The driver of a car, truck, bus, Uber, Lyft, or any vehicle with more than two wheels.
- The driver of another motorcycle
- The driver of the motorcycle the passenger is on
- The owner of any vehicle if they’re not the same as the driver
- The employer of any responsible driver
- The manufacturers of defective motorcycle parts
- Any business that sells alcohol to a driver who is visibly intoxicated
Our Bear motorcycle accident lawyers demand compensation for all your damages to date and all your future damages including your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost earnings and benefits
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of bodily function
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium (the enjoyment of marital relations)
- The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
You may also be entitled to punitive damages if the driver’s conduct was malicious, reckless, or wanton such as when a drunk driver strikes your car.
Our Bear motorcycle accident lawyers file wrongful death actions on behalf of the families of anyone killed in a motorcycle accident. Wrongful death damages include the funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support, and the loss of emotional support.
Get help from our Bear personal injury lawyers now
At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we understand how traumatic motorcycle accidents are. Many victims live with life-changing injuries, permanent injuries, and/or chronic pain. Sadly, many motorcycle accidents are fatal. Our Bear motorcycle accident lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience fighting for personal injury victims. We’re ready to fight for you now. Please call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We have offices throughout Delaware. Our lawyers handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis.