When you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Cincinnati, Ohio, having an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer by your side is crucial. At Monge & Associates, we understand the unique challenges motorcyclists face on the road, and we are here to help you navigate the legal complexities.
With our proven track record and Big Settlement Guarantee, you can trust that we will fight relentlessly to recover the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses, pain, and suffering. We are dedicated to giving back to our community and standing up for the rights of motorcycle accident victims. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on your recovery.
Cincinnati Motorcycle Accident Resources
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How Our Lawyers Can Help
Motorcycle Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Who Will Pay For Your Damages?
Determining Liability After a Motorcycle Crash
Value of a Motorcycle Accident Settlement
Potential Damages Available in Your Case
What to Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident
Statute of Limitations for Ohio Motorcycle Accidents
Timeline of a Motorcycle Accident Case
What Happens if a Crash Causes Fatal Injuries?
Cost of a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Speak to a Lawyer Today
How Our Cincinnati Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You
When you turn to our Cincinnati motorcycle accident lawyers, you can expect compassionate and aggressive representation. We know that after a motorcycle accident, your life may feel turned upside down. Our highly qualified motorcycle accident lawyers can help in the following ways:
- Investigating the accident thoroughly to gather critical evidence for your motorcycle accident claim.
- Negotiating with the liable insurance companies to secure for you a fair settlement.
- Representing you in court, if necessary, and advocating on your behalf.
- Providing you with personalized attention and support throughout the entire process.
Motorcycle Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries
The thrill of a motorcycle ride can be unparalleled. The freedom and exhilaration can make you feel alive. But when a ride goes wrong, the consequences can be devastating. A motorcycle accident can lead to life-altering injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our car accident lawyers in Cincinnati today.
Unlike a car, a motorcycle does not provide its riders and passengers with the safety of seatbelts, airbags, or even metal casings like doors and roofs. When you get into an accident riding a motorcycle, the lack of these safety features can cause serious or fatal injuries.
Motorcyclists are about 29 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle accident, and they are four times more likely to be seriously injured. Even a seemingly minor motorcycle accident can lead to injuries such as:
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Crushed limbs
- Amputations
- Serious burns
- Deep cuts and abrasions
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
A motorcycle accident can be caused by a variety of factors, and it is essential to identify the common causes to build a strong case. Some of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in Ohio include:
- Drunk driving
- Motorists failing to check for motorcycles in their blind spots
- Motorists driving while drowsy
- Motorists making left turns without seeing oncoming motorcycles
- Motorcyclists engaging in lane splitting
- Motorcyclists taking curves or turning corners too quickly; and
- Motorcyclists traveling at high speeds
At Monge & Associates, we have a keen eye for investigating the root causes of accidents, ensuring a comprehensive approach to fighting for your rights.
Who Will Pay For My Damages After a Motorcycle Accident?
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be facing enormous medical expenses and rehabilitation costs, not to mention your lost wages. Pursuing a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit against the party that caused the accident and their insurance carrier will allow you to recover these financial losses and hold the at-fault party accountable for the harm they caused you.
However, proving liability for a motorcycle accident can be more complex than for an automobile accident. This is especially true when pursuing a claim without the assistance of a qualified Cincinnati personal injury attorney.
Typically, the injuries sustained by motorcycle riders are much more severe than the injuries sustained by those riding in passenger vehicles. Furthermore, a motorcyclist is more likely to have been removed from the scene for emergency medical treatment before the investigating officer had a chance to get their take on who may or may not be at fault for the accident.
This is where the experience and expertise of a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer can be a huge advantage. Our team of Cincinnati motorcycle accident lawyers will work closely with you through every step of the process, ensuring that you receive every bit of compensation you are entitled to receive.
Determining Liability After a Motorcycle Crash
In the aftermath of a motorcycle crash, establishing liability is crucial to determine who is responsible for paying your damages, and what type of claim you should file. However, this process is not always clear-cut. The investigation can be complex, sometimes spanning weeks, months, or even years.
In many cases, the fault lies with the truck or motor vehicle driver. In these situations, you have the right to file any of the following claims:
- A personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver in civil court
- An insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s provider
- An insurance claim under your own policy, if you have the provided coverage
Ohio also has a comparative negligence law, which applies if the investigation determines that you are partially responsible for the collision. Under this rule, the court will assign a percentage of liability and reduce your award based on the amount of fault that you share. For example, if you are 10% liable for the crash and claim $100,000 in damages, your final settlement will be $90,000.
Determining liability can be a challenging process, which is why it is important to work with a Cincinnati motorcycle accident lawyer. An attorney at Monge & Associates can conduct an in-depth investigation on your behalf and gather critical evidence to prove fault. Your lawyer will also defend you against accusations of shared liability, helping preserve your right to fair compensation.
How Much Can I Expect From a Motorcycle Accident Settlement?
When it comes to how much you can expect from your motorcycle accident settlement, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each case is unique, and the amount of compensation you receive will depend on various factors, including the severity of your injuries and the extent of your property damage and financial losses.
In accordance with Ohio Rev. Code § 2315.33, the total amount of damages you can recover at trial will be reduced by your own percentages of fault for the accident. So, if a jury finds that you were 30% at fault, you can only recover 70% of your damages. If you are 50% at fault or more, you will be barred from recovering any compensation.
Furthermore, according to Ohio Rev. Code § 2315.18, the portion of your settlement that compensates you for non-economic damages is limited to $250,000, or three times the amount of your economic damages. It is therefore important that you work with a knowledgeable lawyer to ensure you get the compensation you deserve, and that any settlement demand take into account the various limits on your ability to recover damages.
Potential Damages Available in Your Case
By filing a motorcycle accident claim, you have the right to hold the at-fault party accountable for the damages that you sustained in the crash. These damages encompass your economic losses, which involve the financial impact of the crash, as well as the physical and emotional turmoil that you endured.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you can claim compensation for the following losses:
- Medical Expenses: These cover immediate medical attention after the accident and ongoing treatments. It includes emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and any rehabilitative therapy you might require. As injuries from motorcycle accidents can be severe, it’s not uncommon for medical bills to accumulate rapidly, making this a significant portion of many claims.
- Lost Wages and Future Earnings: If your injuries prevent you from working, either temporarily or permanently, you can claim compensation for the wages you’ve lost during your recovery. Additionally, if the accident has left you with lasting injuries that affect your ability to earn in the future, you can claim for projected future income losses based on your previous earning capacity.
- Property Damage: This pertains to the costs of repairing or replacing your motorcycle and any other personal property that was damaged in the crash. Beyond just the value of the motorcycle, it can include gear, accessories, electronic devices, and any other possessions that were on your person at the time of the collision.
- Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering compensation aims to provide relief for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced due to the accident. This can encompass chronic pain, permanent disability, mental anguish, stress, anxiety, and the general reduced quality of life due to the aftermath of the accident.
What to Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, what you do after can have a huge impact on your financial recovery. Here is what you should do immediately after a motorcycle accident in Cincinnati:
- Seek medical attention. Even if you think you are not injured, it is important to get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent.
- Contact the police and report the accident. The police will create an accident report that can be used as evidence in your case.
- Gather information from the other driver. Get their name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
- Take pictures. Take pictures of the accident scene and any damage to your motorcycle or other vehicles involved.
- Contact a lawyer. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights.
What’s the Statute of Limitations for Ohio Motorcycle Accidents?
In Ohio, you have a two-year window from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a lawsuit. While two years may seem like an ample amount of time, your case’s success hinges on timely, decisive action. Evidence, which is necessary for providing your claim, can erode with time and weaken your case. Additionally, witness memories can fade, which can also affect the success of your claim.
If you do not file your lawsuit within the two-year time limit, the court will most likely dismiss your claim. To protect your right to recovery, it is important to engage a Cincinnati motorcycle accident lawyer right away. Your attorney can begin preserving evidence and initiate legal proceedings, helping you seek the justice that you deserve.
Timeline of a Motorcycle Accident Case
A motorcycle accident claim often involves several steps, beginning with contacting a lawyer. Once an attorney accepts your case, you will likely begin by filing an insurance claim, progressing to a personal injury lawsuit if necessary.
Typically, a motorcycle accident claim can take one year or longer to conclude, depending on the circumstances, and usually involves the following:
- Filing an Insurance Claim: After the accident, you and your attorney will initiate the process by filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, detailing the accident and the damages incurred.
- Insurance Investigation: Once the claim is filed, the insurance company starts an investigation. They may request additional evidence, medical records, or witness testimonies to validate the claim.
- Settlement Negotiations: After the investigation, the insurance company will either offer a settlement amount or deny the claim. If an offer is made, there might be a series of negotiations between your attorney and the insurance company.
- Filing and Discovery: If no agreement is reached with the insurance company, the next step is filing a lawsuit in court. Both parties engage in a discovery process where they exchange evidence, interview witnesses, and gather all pertinent information related to the case.
- Pre-Trial Settlements: Before heading to trial, both parties may participate in pre-trial negotiations to try and reach a settlement. If the case does not settle, it will proceed to trial.
- Trial and Verdict: Here, both parties present their arguments, evidence, and witness testimonies. The outcome is then decided by a judge or jury. If the verdict is in your favor, you will be awarded compensation.
What Happens if a Motorcycle Crash Causes Fatal Injuries?
Losing a loved one in a motorcycle crash is a harrowing experience. In these situations, family members may consider a wrongful death lawsuit. This claim seeks compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of the deceased’s expected income, and damages reflecting the family’s emotional distress. In Ohio, only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate may pursue a wrongful death claim on his or her behalf.
Cost of a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
When considering legal representation, it’s common to wonder about the potential costs. Fortunately, many motorcycle accident attorneys—including Monge & Associates—typically work on a contingency basis. This means you don’t pay any upfront fees. Instead, the attorney’s payment comes as a percentage of the compensation you receive from the settlement or verdict. If you don’t win the case, you do not owe any legal fees, helping limit your out-of-pocket expenses.
Contact a Cincinnati Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Monge & Associates
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Cincinnati, do not hesitate to reach out to a skilled Cincinnati motorcycle accident lawyer at Monge & Associates. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and provide the guidance you need. Time is of the essence, so contact us toll-free at (888) 307-5581, or get in touch with us online to protect your rights, seek justice, and pursue the compensation you deserve.