Bellevue Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Legal Help After a Bellevue Motorcycle Crash

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere, even in a suburban community like Bellevue, Nebraska. Fatal motorcycle crashes have occurred at the following locations: 21^st and Cornhusker, Fort Crook Road North and Harrison Street, and South 27^th and Mesa Street.

Motorcycle riders have the right to be safe on the road. Unfortunately, careless drivers don’t always take the necessary precautions to protect everyone around them. When drivers are in a hurry or don’t look out for others, the results can be devastating for motorcycle riders.

Riding a motorcycle is a great way to get around — it’s fun and convenient and saves you a lot of money and time. But if you were harmed by a careless car or truck driver, the injuries you suffer can be extensive.

When you are hurt by someone else’s reckless behavior, you shouldn’t have to pay for your medical bills. The experienced Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyer at Bottlinger Law L.L.C. can help you get a settlement that can cover the full cost of your injuries. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., we want everyone in our community to be safe. That’s why we remind motorcycle riders to always drive defensively and look out for hazards.

Call (402) 505-8234 today and schedule a FREE consultation to learn more.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Dangerous

An automobile has a frame that’s designed to protect passengers from the impact caused by a collision. But when a motorcycle is struck by another vehicle or if the rider is forced to lay down their bike, riders only have their helmet and other safety gear to protect them.

Factors unique to motorcycles that increase the risk of injury include:

• Lack of Protection: Motorcycles offer minimal physical protection compared to enclosed vehicles, exposing riders directly to impacts in the event of a crash.
• Visibility: Motorcycles are smaller and may be less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of collisions, especially at intersections or during lane changes.
• Road Hazards: Uneven road surfaces, potholes, or debris pose greater risks to motorcycles due to their smaller tires and less stable handling.
• Balance and Stability: Maintaining balance on two wheels requires skill and can be affected by sudden maneuvers, weather conditions, or road surfaces.
• Maneuverability: While motorcycles can maneuver quickly, abrupt maneuvers or high-speed turns can lead to loss of control, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Factors that Contribute to Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are heightened by factors such as other drivers’ reduced visibility of motorcycles, increasing the risk of collisions. Speed amplifies the severity of accidents due to decreased reaction time and increased impact force. Additionally, slower reaction times to hazards on the road can lead to more frequent accidents.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Car Driver Fatigue: Tired drivers have slower reaction times and reduced awareness.
• Intoxication: Alcohol and drugs impair both motorcycle and car drivers.
• Speeding: Excessive speed is dangerous for all vehicles.
• Distracted Driving: Distractions like texting contribute to accidents.
• Failure to Yield: Car drivers do not give right of way to motorcyclists.
• Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, and fog increase risks.
• Road Conditions: Potholes, debris, and uneven surfaces pose dangers.

Link Between Driver Responsibilities and Liability

Every driver on the road has a legal obligation, known as the duty of care, to operate their vehicle safely and responsibly. This duty encompasses following traffic laws, maintaining proper control of the vehicle, and being aware of and responsive to surrounding conditions. Failure to uphold this duty can result in accidents and legal liability.

Liability in accidents is primarily determined by establishing negligence. Negligence in this context refers to the failure to exercise reasonable care that a prudent person would under similar circumstances. For you to establish liability, it must be proven that a driver breached their duty of care, which directly caused the accident and resulted in damages.

Negligence is proven through several factors:

• Duty: The driver had a duty to drive safely.
• Breach: The driver breached this duty through actions like speeding, distracted driving, or failing to yield.
• Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the accident.
• Damages: The accident resulted in measurable damages, such as property damage, medical bills, or lost wages.

Significantly, establishing liability requires evidence that demonstrates one of the above elements of negligence. Accordingly, gathering evidence is a key part of pursuing legal compensation for motorcycle injuries.

Examples of relevant evidence include:

• Police Reports: Official reports document details like road conditions, weather, and statements from involved parties and witnesses.
• Witness Statements: Eyewitness accounts provide crucial perspectives on the events leading to the accident.
• Traffic Camera Footage: Video footage from surveillance cameras can offer objective evidence of the accident’s cause.
• Photographs: Pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries provide visual documentation.

Understanding the Role of Insurance in a Motorcycle Accident Case

Insurance companies play a pivotal role in determining fault and processing claims after an accident. They evaluate evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and other documentation, to determine the at-fault party. Insurance adjusters assess the extent of damages and negotiate settlements with affected parties or their legal representatives.

In cases where liability is disputed, insurance companies may resort to arbitration or litigation to resolve claims. Factors such as comparative negligence, where multiple parties share fault, can complicate liability determination.

Common Injuries that Result from a Motorcycle Accident

Injuries that result from motorcycle accidents include:

• Road rash happens when a motorcycle slides along the pavement for several feet, which may cause the rider to lose skin and tissue all the way down to the bone. Road rash can result in bleeding, serious infections, and even death if not properly treated.
• Traumatic brain damage (TBI) could happen even when the rider is wearing a helmet; they can suffer from TBI, which may result in damaged brain tissue, seizures, memory loss, mood swings, reduced intellectual function, and death.
• Biker’s arm can cause nerve damage, resulting in temporary or permanent loss of feeling and arm movement.
• Amputation is the loss of one or more limbs, which can lead to depression and seriously affect the victim’s ability to resume a normal lifestyle.
• Paralysis resulting from a spinal cord injury can require a lifetime of medical treatment and nursing care.
• Severe burns caused by fires and chemical spills may result in extensive physical damage and disfigurement.
• Bone fractures may cause severe pain and require a long recovery period and physical therapy.
• Internal organ damage can leave you unable to work during your recovery or even cause death or a lifelong disability.

Why You Need a Bellevue Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Insurance companies make their money by paying out as little as possible in claims. If you don’t have a lawyer to represent you, insurance agents won’t offer you a settlement that covers the true, long-term cost of your injuries.

Injuries caused by a motorcycle accident are often catastrophic, requiring extensive medical treatment. Some types of injuries, such as paralysis, can totally disrupt your life, eliminating your ability to work and necessitating serious expenses such as nursing care and home and car alterations.

An experienced Bellevue accident attorney can investigate your accident by reviewing the following types of information:

• Police reports
• Accident photos
• Surveillance camera footage
• Witness statements
• Accident scene recreations
• Testimony from forensic and medical experts

How Your Lawyer Can Help You Seek Compensation in Bellevue

After completing their investigation, your motorcycle accident attorney can file claims against everyone responsible for your injuries. This may include careless drivers, negligent trucking companies, or government agencies that failed to remove a road hazard that caused your injuries.

Your lawyer can calculate the true cost of your injuries to help you get a settlement that can cover your medical bills and other expenses caused by the accident. This may include:

• Medical care
• Lost wages
• Physical therapy
• Loss of future income
• Disfigurement
• Long-term nursing care
• Pain and suffering
• Wheelchair ramps and other home renovations

Our Motorcycle Crash Attorney in Bellevue Is on Your Side

You don’t want to take on the big insurance companies alone. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., we’ll be with you every step of the way. We aren’t afraid to take your case to trial if that is what it takes to get you the money you need to put your life back together.

Call our Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyer today at (402) 505-8234. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.