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Mike Bottaro motorcycle accident attorney

Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Coventry

motorcyclist laying in parking lot with the downed motorcyclist besideMotorcycle accidents cause severe injuries and deaths every year in Coventry and across Rhode Island. Though motorcycles account for just 3 percent of registered vehicles in the Ocean State, 14 percent of its annual traffic fatalities are motorcyclists, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. That is because motorcyclists are more exposed than occupants of passenger vehicles in the event of a collision, so they tend to suffer more serious injuries and costlier medical bills.

You should not have to pay for these losses if someone else was to blame for the crash. The Coventry motorcycle accident attorneys at Bottaro Law are ready to help you demand the money you’re owed. 

For over a decade, we’ve helped people in your position seek the maximum compensation possible, so they don’t need to worry about their medical bills, lost income, and other losses. 

Find out what we can do for you by contacting us today for a free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Coventry, RI.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accident in Coventry

Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Coventry, RI, include:

  • Left-hand turns – When cars make left turns, they necessarily turn into oncoming traffic. Drivers may misjudge how close an oncoming motorcycle is or how fast the motorcycle is moving. That can cause drivers to proceed through an intersection when it is not safe to do so and collide with an oncoming motorcyclist.
  • Lane changes – People in cars do not always ensure they are clear of nearby motorcyclists when they change lanes, which can cause an accident if a motorcycle is in their blind spot.
  • Speeding – Speeding drivers have a more challenging time maintaining control of their vehicle and have less margin for error when maneuvering. Both factors put speeding drivers at an increased risk of causing an accident, particularly if they are weaving through traffic when motorcycles are present.
  • Dooring – Occupants of parked cars need to be careful about opening doors into traffic, as motorcyclists who collide with open doors can suffer significant injuries.
  • Distracted driving – A driver who is talking on a cellphone, texting, snacking, or otherwise distracted will have a harder time safely navigating traffic, including nearby motorcycles. A distracted driver might also run through an intersection when they do not have the right-of-way and collide with a motorcycle.
  • Impaired driving – Drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol have reduced situational awareness, dulled reflexes, and poor judgment. These factors make it more likely that an impaired driver will collide with motorcyclists.
  • Weather conditions – Because motorcycles have fewer wheels than cars, they are less stable, especially in poor weather. Heavy winds, rain, snow, fog, and ice can all cause an accident if motorcyclists and others around them are not careful.

Common Injuries from a Motorcycle Accident 

Motorcyclists involved in accidents often suffer severe injuries as a result, including:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Back injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Injuries to internal organs
  • Internal bleeding
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Soft-tissue injuries
  • Amputations
  • Road rash
  • Burns
  • Psychological distress
Common Injuries from a Motorcycle Accident 

How Is Fault Determined for a Motorcycle Crash in Coventry, RI?

The person at fault for a motorcycle accident is the one whose negligence caused the collision. Negligence is a legal term that describes a failure to take reasonable steps to prevent others from coming to harm. Usually, the negligent party is the one who broke the rules of the road, leading to the accident. For example, if a driver sideswiped a motorcyclist while they were talking on a cellphone, the driver would likely be considered negligent and be held liable for the accident.

Some of the evidence that could be used to establish negligence in motorcycle accident cases includes:

  • Police accident reports
  • Eyewitness accounts
  • Surveillance video
  • Photos from the crash scene
  • Forensic accident reconstructions
  • Expert testimony
  • Medical records

One thing to keep in mind is you can still recover compensation for your injuries even if you are found partly at fault for a motorcycle accident. Under Rhode Island’s pure comparative fault laws, you can still receive compensation if you were partially at fault for an accident as long as another party was as well. However, your compensation will be reduced by your degree of responsibility. So if you were 25 percent at fault for an accident that caused you $10,000 in losses, you could receive $7,500 in compensation.

What Compensation Could Be Available for Injured Motorcyclists in Coventry?

Motorcycle accidents frequently result in considerable injuries and economic losses. A personal injury claim aims to make you whole by having the liable party financially compensate you for the losses you have sustained. 

If you work with an experienced Coventry motorcycle accident attorney, you may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced future earnings
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Damaged personal property

How Our Lawyers Help Injured Bikers in Coventry

The attorneys of Bottaro Law have represented many Coventry motorcycle accident victims, and we have seen how their lives can be forever changed because of a crash. Because we know how devastating a motorcycle accident can be, we are committed to helping accident victims recover as much compensation as possible for their injuries. 

Some of the ways we can help with your case include:

  • Conducting a thorough crash investigation to identify all the liable parties and all sources of compensation
  • Documenting your injuries and financial losses using your medical records and other evidence
  • Filing a claim and commencing settlement negotiations with insurance companies
  • Bringing your case to trial should settlement negotiations fail

Motorcycle Accident FAQs

Motorcycle Accident

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for a motorcycle accident?

It depends. Rhode Island is a “pure comparative negligence” state, which means that, even though an accident may be partially your fault, you can still recover damages from another at-fault party. However, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Massachusetts is a “modified” comparative fault state, which can have a significant effect on your compensable damages if you are found to be partially at fault for a car accident. Under “modified” comparative fault rules, you can only recover damages in a crash if you are found to be less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. Like Rhode Island, the amount of damages you receive will be reduced by an amount equal to the percentage of fault you share in causing the crash.

Before you dismiss the possibility of recovering damages for your motorcycle injuries, contact Bottaro Injury Lawyers to discuss the specific facts of your case.

What is ATGATT?

ATGATT is an acronym that stands for “All the gear, all the time.” Many riders follow ATGATT and encourage their fellow riders to do the same. While you may not be able to walk away from a motorcycle accident completely unscathed, wearing full protective riding gear — including a DOT-certified helmet, gloves, boots, jacket, and padded pants — can help reduce your risk of suffering severe injuries and shorten your road to recovery.

If I’m unable to work because of my injuries, how can I afford to hire an attorney?

At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we don’t think you should have to worry about how you’ll pay for an experienced attorney after a motorcycle accident. That’s why we offer the No Fee Guarantee®, a promise to you that you won’t pay us anything unless you win your case. If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, call us today at (401) 777-7777. Let us put our knowledge and resources to work for you.

Are motorcycle riders required to wear helmets in Massachusetts and Rhode Island?

Massachusetts and Rhode Island have different laws regarding motorcycle helmets.

  • Massachusetts requires all motorcyclists, including passengers, to wear helmets while riding.
  • Rhode Island requires all motorcyclists to wear helmets within the first year of getting their license, regardless of age. After the one-year period is up, only motorcyclists under the age of 21 are required to wear helmets.

Is lane splitting legal in Massachusetts and Rhode Island?

No. Lane splitting — the practice of riding between lanes of traffic flowing in the same direction — is not legal in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. In fact, many riders are surprised to learn that lane splitting is not officially legal anywhere in the country. California’s Highway Patrol has issued guidelines that outline specific circumstances in which riders may be stopped for lane splitting, effectively authorizing safe lane splitting in certain conditions, but the nationwide debate on whether lane splitting is safe enough to be legal is ongoing.

Can I sue for my motorcycle accident injuries?

In most cases, you must prove that another negligent driver was at fault for your motorcycle accident to be able to sue for your injuries. However, if your accident was the result of a motorcycle defect or mechanical failure with your bike, you may have a claim against the motorcycle’s manufacturer and distributor. Other factors that contributed to the accident, including unreasonably dangerous road conditions, may also be grounds for filing a claim.

In short, if you were involved in a motorcycle accident and someone else is to blame, you may have a case. Our motorcycle accident lawyers know Rhode Island and Massachusetts law, and we’re here to provide a free case review to help determine your rights to compensation.

Get a trusted car accidents lawyer on your side

Contact Our Skilled Lawyers at Bottaro Law for Help

The Coventry, RI, motorcycle accident attorneys at Bottaro Law are ready to listen to your story and start working on your case. For more information on our services, contact our office for a free consultation.

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