Understanding Liability For A Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents in Ohio can have many different causes, and it is critical for an injured motorcyclist to speak with an attorney to determine liability for purposes of filing a claim. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, motorcyclist fatalities rose significantly in 2020, with a total of 212 deaths among motorcyclists involved in crashes. Of those motorcyclists, 53 were wearing helmets while 159 riders were not helmeted at the time of the accident. Yet even if a motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, another motorist or another party may still be responsible for resulting injuries. One of our experienced Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers can speak with you today about liability in a motorcycle collision.

Car and Truck Driver Liability 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that negligent car and truck drivers often cause collisions involving motorcyclists when those car and truck drivers are making left-hand turns, changing lanes, or following too closely behind a motorcyclist.

When a car or truck driver is distracted, driving aggressively, or intoxicated and makes a left-hand turn without looking carefully, that driver can turn into a motorcyclist. Similarly, failure to properly check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes can result in a collision with a motorcyclist in the next lane if that motorcyclist is in the driver’s blind spot. Following too closely behind a motorcyclist can be especially devastating when a driver is distracted and needs to stop quickly, rear-ending the motorcyclist. Since motorcyclists have none of the protection of an automobile, even a relatively low-speed crash can result in devastating injuries.

Motorcyclist’s Own Negligence and Liability 

In some motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist may also bear some responsibility for the crash or for the severity of the injuries. For example, lane splitting may have contributed to the accident, or the motorcyclist may have been intoxicated or distracted at the time of the crash. As long as a motorcyclist is not more than 50 percent at fault, the motorcyclist can still recover damages but the award will be reduced by the motorcyclist’s percentage of fault.

Contact a Columbus Motorcycle Accident Attorney 

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Ohio or West Virginia, or if you lost a loved one in a motorcycle collision, you should speak with one of our Columbus motorcycle accident attorneys about your case. Contact Brian G. Miller Co., L.P.A. to learn more about our services.

Resource:

one.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/safebike/anatomy.html