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ChatWhat is the difference between handling motorcycle accident vs. car accident cases? It is a good question, and one personal injury attorneys, like us, get often. Of course, there are similarities between handling motorcycle and car accidents. However, experienced lawyers like those at Bottaro Injury Lawyers are well aware of game-changing differences between the two, and know what to do.
Generally, if you are in either type of accident, you should assess your injuries, move to a safe place, call 911, exchange insurance information, collect as much information from the scene as you can, and call a reputable personal injury firm to handle your case. However, there are important differences between motorcycle accident vs. car accident cases that you should know because they affect how we handle your Rhode Island or Massachusetts motorcycle accident case.
Motorcyclists Are Roughly 30 Times More Likely to Get Into an Accident and In Different Ways Than Cars.
In other words, motorcyclists are at a much higher risk of getting into accidents and need to be aware of often overlooked accident causes. Even though motorcyclists only make up 3% of vehicles on the road, they represent 14% of roadway fatalities. In 2021 alone, 83,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists must pay extra attention to:
- Hazardous Roadways. While we may not notice potholes or other rough terrain while driving a car, it can easily cause motorcyclists to lose control.
- Inclement Weather. The same principle applies to inclement weather. For instance, bikers are more likely to feel the effects of slippery roadways. However, keep in mind that 83% of all 2021 biker deaths occurred in clear or cloudy weather.
- People opening car doors. People often overlook, or blatantly do not look for, bikers when opening their car doors.
- People making left turns. The same principle applies when drivers make left turns and fail to look out for bikers coming in the other direction.
- Lane Splitting. Luckily, this practice is illegal in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
How this changes the way we handle your biker accident case:
Different accident causes mean we may need to ask different questions, consider different theories of liability, and/or research more when investigating your accident.
Motorcycle Accidents Typically Result in Devastating Property Damage.
When a car hits a motorcycle, we often see that the car sustains cosmetic damage while the motorcycle is totaled. This is in part because motorcycles are smaller, lighter, and simply not built to handle as much impact as a metal-encased passenger vehicle.
How this changes the way we handle your biker accident case:
Insurance companies do not want to pay to substantially repair or replace your entire motorcycle after an accident. We have experience getting insurance companies to pay for repairs or deem the motorcycle a total loss to get the pay back you deserve.
Motorcycle Accidents Typically Result in More Catastrophic Injuries and Death.
Motorcycles do not have airbags, seatbelts, or a slab of metal to protect its passengers. So, it comes as no surprise that motorcycle accidents have a staggering 80% death rate, while car accidents remain around 20%.
According to the CDC, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%. That is why we at Bottaro Injury Lawyers highly encourage our community bikers to wear them! Helmet or not, if you are injured in a motorcycle accident, call us to begin handling your case immediately.
How this changes the way we handle your biker accident case:
In biker accident cases, we often need to prove and negotiate for larger payouts due to more intense and long-term injuries. Since insurance companies, including yours, are not on your side, we use our years of experience to argue your claim.
Insurance Adjustors Tend to Lowball Motorcycle Accident Settlements.
All insurance companies are mainly looking out for their bottom line. They want to pay as little as possible, so they tend to offer motorcyclist and passenger vehicle accident victims lowball settlement offers. This trend is even more prevalent in motorcycle accident claims because insurance adjustors tend to impart biases on motorcyclists. They are more likely to assume that motorcyclists are risky and reckless, and therefore more at fault in the accident.
How this changes the way we handle your biker accident case:
It is vitally important to us that our clients get the full compensation they deserve. We expect this behavior and we know how to negotiate top-dollar settlements for our clients.
If Your Case Goes to Trial, Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Must Account For Courtroom Biases Against Motorcyclists.
Similar to insurance adjustor biases, juries are often just as biased. While we at Bottaro Injury Lawyers know and understand that many motorcyclists are safe and encourage other bikers to ride safely, it is often not everyone else’s opinion.
How this changes the way we handle your biker accident case:
If we need to file a lawsuit on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve, it is vitally important that we know our audience, control the narrative, and get the jury to see our side. We have years of trial advocacy experience and will use our expertise, as needed.
Whether you have been in a motorcycle or car accident, call us today so we can get started on getting you the settlement you deserve.
It’s Good to Know Mike Bottaro – 24/7 Top-Rated Personal Injury Help
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we care for people. Attorney Mike Bottaro and his award-winning legal team handle all types of personal injury cases throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We know and manage key differences between motorcycle accident vs. car accident cases often. We pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity, and results. Contact us 24/7 in any method you prefer for a fast, free, and confidential consultation about your case. Feel free to text or call us at 401-777-7777, or fill out our free and confidential online form. We are here to serve and help you!
