Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Thousands of people are injured in motorcycle accidents in the United States each year, including in Washington DC. The odds of being killed in a motorcycle accident are 24-times greater than the fatality rate with automobiles. With these statistics in mind, there is some essential data you need to keep in mind about common causes of accidents involving motorcyclists.

Distracted automobile drivers represent one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Washington DC, and elsewhere in the United States. Oftentimes, these accidents involve distracted automobile drivers making lane changes without realizing the presence of a biker. Other examples of accidents involving distracted drivers include auto drivers entering intersections without the right-of-way that collide with bicyclists.

Common driver distractions include:

• texting
• talking on a hand-held mobile device
• eating
• drinking
• using navigation device
• adjusting radio controls
• talking to passenger

Intoxicated drivers represent another common cause of accidents that involve motorcyclists. This includes drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and other types of mind-altering substances.

Another common cause of accidents involving bikers are rear-end collisions. These types of collisions tend to happen in one of two ways. First, an automobile driver is not paying close enough attention and ends up colliding with a biker who is lawfully stopped at an intersection. The second situation involves an automobile driver coming up from behind on a biker without realizing the motorcyclist is in front of the driver until it is too late.

Automobile drivers exceeding the speed limit represent a common cause of motorcycle collisions in the District, and across the United States. This includes auto drivers that are driving too fast for prevailing road and weather conditions.

The first step in retaining the services of a motorcycle accident personal injury lawyer in Washington DC is scheduling what is known as an initial consultation. An initial consultation with a personal injury attorney allows legal counsel the opportunity to review and evaluate your case.

In addition, the appointment gives you the chance to ask questions of a lawyer you are considering retaining. As a general rule, there is no charge for an initial consultation with legal counsel in a motorcycle accident case.

Because of the complexity of cases involving motorcycle collisions that result in injuries, a person needs to be proactive in retaining legal representation. An injured biker should obtain legal counsel as soon after an injury-causing accident as possible.

An injured biker needs to bear in mind that insurance companies exist for one reason, and one reason only. They are in business to make money for their shareholders. Insurance companies increase their profits by lowering the amount of money paid out in claim settlements.

As a general rule, a lawyer or law firm that represents the victim of a motorcycle accident case utilizes what is known as a contingence fee arrangement. With a contingency fee agreement, an injured motorcyclist does not pay a fee unless and until a lawyer or law firm obtains a settlement or judgment in favor of the injured biker

A contingency attorney fee is based upon a percentage of a settlement or judgment ultimately obtained in a case. The amount of the fee is negotiated and agreed-to between an attorney and client at the beginning of the case. Call us today.