Maine is a great place for motorcycling, with beautiful views and open roads. Unfortunately, it also sees many motorcycle accidents. In 2022, there were 674 motorcycle crashes in the state, including 32 fatal accidents and 133 that caused serious injuries.
If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident, the lawyers at Fales & Fales, P.A. can help. Our experienced attorneys know the laws about motorcycle accidents and can guide you through the process of seeking compensation. Call us for a free consultation.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Acting quickly after a motorcycle accident is important to protect your legal rights. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you through the claims process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Here’s what a lawyer from Fales & Fales, P.A. can do for you:
- Investigate the Accident: Gather evidence to find out who was at fault.
- Assess Your Losses: Collect details about your financial and personal losses, like medical bills and pain.
- Manage Insurance Claims: Handle all the paperwork, requests, and deadlines with the insurance companies.
- Communicate for You: Talk to the insurance companies and other parties involved so you don’t have to.
- Negotiate Compensation: Fight to get you the most money possible for your accident claim.
At Fales & Fales, P.A., we’re here to support motorcycle riders. We’ll guide you through your case, keep you updated on what’s happening, and suggest the best steps to take. Let our experienced lawyers handle your legal issues so you can focus on getting better.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
f you’re in a motorcycle accident, you can file a personal injury claim to get compensation for what you’ve lost. Motorcycle accidents can cause big personal and financial problems, including:
- Medical Bills: Covers costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehab, and any future medical needs.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the time you missed work while recovering.
- Loss of Future Income: If the accident left you permanently disabled or affected your ability to work, you can claim loss of future earnings.
- Property Damage: To repair or replace your damaged motorcycle.
- Physical Pain and Suffering: Especially if you have serious injuries like brain trauma, spinal injuries, or other severe conditions.
- Emotional Distress: Compensation for emotional pain, anxiety, depression, or PTSD after the accident.
Our lawyers will fight to get you the most compensation possible for your accident.
What Do I Have to Prove to Win a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Motorcyclists often have a difficult time managing their motorcycle accident claims on their own. They may have suffered serious injuries while also dealing with bias from the insurance company. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney can help prove the key points of your case:
Duty of Care
All motorists must obey traffic laws and drive safely to avoid injuring other motorists. Drivers must also keep a proper lookout for oncoming motorcycles since they are lower to the ground and harder to spot. Motorcycle accident lawyers can point to the rules of the road to demonstrate the legal duty liable parties were supposed to uphold.
Breach of Duty
After an accident, a personal injury lawyer needs to show that the other driver broke the law or acted carelessly, such as:
- Speeding – Many drivers go over the speed limit or drive too fast for the weather or road conditions. This makes it harder to stop in time to avoid a crash.
- Failing to yield the right of way – Many motorcycle crashes happen when a driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
- Impairment – Drinking alcohol can make drivers slower to react, cause blurred vision, and make it harder to stay in their lane, which is dangerous for everyone, especially motorcyclists.
- Distracted driving – Many drivers are distracted by texting or using their phones, which means they might not notice a hazard until it’s too late.
- Unsafe lane changes – Drivers who don’t check their blind spots can crash into motorcycles when changing lanes.
- Ignoring traffic signals or signs – Drivers who run red lights, stop signs, or ignore other traffic signals put others at serious risk.
Causation
To help you get compensation, a lawyer has to prove that the driver’s actions directly caused the accident. They can use evidence like:
- Police reports
- Photos of the accident scene
- Traffic or other camera footage
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Damage to the vehicles
- Reports by accident reconstruction experts
Damages
To get compensation, you also have to prove what kind of losses you’ve suffered because of the accident. Our compassionate motorcycle accident lawyers can work diligently to secure evidence of your losses, such as medical records, employment statements, invoices, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses.
What Should I Do After a Maine Motorcycle Accident?
If you’re in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to take certain steps to protect yourself and your rights. Here’s what you should do right after the accident:
Get to Safety
Your safety comes first. If you can move, get out of the road. If you’re unable to move, call for help. Someone nearby might help you get to safety.
Report the Accident
Call 911 immediately to report the accident. A law enforcement officer c will come to the scene, investigate, and write a report. When talking to the officers, stick to the facts.
Seek Medical Attention
If you’re hurt, ask for an ambulance when you call 911. Even if you don’t see any injuries. For example, you could have suffered internal bleeding or a traumatic brain injury.Getting checked by a doctor is always a good idea.
Exchange Information
Exchange information with the other driver. Ask for the following:
- Their name, address, and phone number
- Their insurance company
- The owner of the vehicle, if different
- A description of their vehicle
Gather Evidence
If you can, gather evidence at the scene. Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles involved, the accident scene, debris on the roadway, road signs, and your injuries. Ask witnesses for their names and contact details.
Following these steps can help protect you. Afterward, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you with the next steps.
Contact Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Review
Protect your rights by contacting the Maine motorcycle accident lawyers at Fales & Fales, P.A. for a free consultation. We are experienced in navigating complex injury claims and can handle negotiations with insurance companies. Call us or contact us online to arrange your free case review.
