If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle collision, a Marion motorcycle accident lawyer from The Fitch Law Firm LLC will represent you in the fight for justice and compensation. Our team is proud to serve residents of Marion and other communities throughout Ohio. If you retain our legal counsel, we can identify the liable party, build a case against them, and collect evidence of your damages to present in settlement negotiations or at trial.
Our team of personal injury attorneys in Marion will be there to fight for compensation on your behalf. To learn more about the motorcycle accident services we offer at The Fitch Law Firm LLC in Marion, you can speak with a team member today during a free consultation. If you hire us, our attorneys will start on your case and serve you on a contingency fee basis. This means no upfront payments are necessary.
Proving Liability in a Motorcycle Accident in Marion, OH
One of the benefits of hiring our team is that we will investigate the crash and build a solid case while you recover or tend to your family. Some collision cases are straightforward, while others involve many factors that can complicate the claims or lawsuit process.
Either way, our attorneys can put in the time and resources to sort out what happened and who is responsible by:
- Requesting access to nearby traffic or surveillance cameras
- Interviewing witnesses
- Compiling medical records
- Reviewing the accident report
- Examining photographs of the accident scene
In some cases, we may call upon industry professionals to testify on their findings upon reviewing the evidence. Our attorneys have worked with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and more.
Potentially Recoverable Damages From a Marion Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accident victims could recover compensation for the areas of their life that the accident affected, including their financial well-being and mental and physical health.
Examples of recoverable damages include but are not limited to:
- Bills associated with the accident, including medical expenses, costs of vehicle repairs, and property damage
- Monetary losses related to your job, such as lost income during the recovery period or a loss of the ability to work moving forward
- Compensation for physical disabilities or disfigurements
- Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages
When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer from our team for your Marion case, we can gather evidence of such damages and estimate their value.
The Last Thing You Should Worry About Is How You’re Going To Pay For Your Medical Bills.
(614) 545-3930 Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Fighting to Protect Marion, OH, Victims
During a difficult time like this, our personal injury attorneys at The Fitch Law Firm LLC do not want you to worry about navigating a personal injury lawsuit on top of handling your recovery. While you focus your time and energy on seeking treatment and healing, we can handle all legal details and communications on your behalf, such as:
- Investigating the accident to determine what happened and compile evidence
- Identifying all liable parties
- Contacting witnesses for statements
- Informing the liable party of your intent to seek damages
- Building a case to prove your right to compensation
- Estimating your case’s value
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a settlement
- Presenting your case at trial if a settlement isn’t reached
Our Ohio-based legal team will gladly answer your questions, provide advice, and keep you informed about your case’s progress as we work together.
Who May Owe You Damages in a Marion Motorcycle Accident
As we investigate the crash in Marion, we may find more than one person or entity may owe you damages. Other liable parties could include:
- Another motorist
- A municipality responsible for taking care of the road or area where the accident occurred
- The manufacturer of the motorcycle or its parts
- A mechanic or repair crew that serviced or repaired the vehicles
We can determine who we can pursue for your financial recovery after we learn more about the accident.
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You Have a Limited Time to Sue for Injuries, Damages in a Marion, OH, Motorcycle Accident
It is a big decision to seek financial recovery through a civil lawsuit, but it is an option our Marion motorcycle accident attorney can help you explore if the liable party’s insurer will not settle with you.
You generally have two years from the accident date to sue for damages, per Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10. If you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you also generally have two years from the decedent’s death date, according to Ohio Revised Code Section 2125.02.
Our attorney can review your motorcycle accident and determine how long you have left to pursue your case. We will keep your case on track and ensure you meet all important legal deadlines. If you miss a deadline, it could bar you from seeking financial recovery from the party that caused your injuries.
Common Injuries From Ohio Motorcycle Accidents
The severity of a motorcycle accident that occurs on Ohio’s roads depends on several factors, such as the type of crash and what protective gear the motorcyclist was wearing. However, even a relatively minor impact on a motorcycle rider can cause devastating injuries.
These injuries can occur because there is virtually nothing to protect the rider after the crash’s initial impact – excluding any padded clothing or a helmet, which can only do so much. Common injuries in motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other head injuries
- Cuts and bruises from skidding on the roadway, otherwise known as road rash
- Broken bones, commonly to the ribs and extremities
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs), which may cause paralysis
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, it is recommended that you seek immediate medical treatment. Even if you think your injuries are minor and may heal on their own, a doctor can give you a proper diagnosis and begin any treatment you may need.
If your injuries become more serious later and you decide to pursue compensation, medical records that connect the accident to your injuries can become valuable evidence in your case. You should follow all medical advice as directed. Doing so establishes your effort to recover from your accident. It also enables you to challenge any assertions from the opposing party that something else caused your injuries.
Negligent Motorists Should Be Held Accountable
Motorcyclists are at higher risk of injury than other motorists when they ride on Ohio roadways. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a traffic accident than individuals in passenger cars. Riders are more likely to fall victim to serious injuries in these accidents due to their exposure and the possibility of dual impact.
While the reasons for these accidents vary, many are attributed to driver error, such as failing to yield to motorcycles and distracted driving. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), there were nearly 760 traffic accidents investigated in Marion County in 2020, with more than 80 distracted driving violations noted.
When a driver hits a motorcyclist due to careless or reckless driving, the victim or surviving family members have a right to hold them accountable. A motorcycle collision lawyer from our firm can help.
Marion Motorcycle Accident FAQs
When you’ve been seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident, you may have questions about how the insurance and civil claims process works and generally what to expect from your injury case.
For this reason, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding motorcycle accident claims in Marion, Ohio, below. We can answer questions we did not cover here and discuss the specific details of your accident during a free consultation.
Should I Give the Insurance Company a Statement?
No. It is never a good idea to give a statement to the insurance company. Insurance companies are advantageous and profit-driven. They make money by bringing in more in premiums than they do paying out in insurance claims.
Insurance companies have been known to ask claimants for statements. Then, once the claimant has given their statement, the insurance adjuster will pick the statement apart. They will be looking for certain phrases or instances where they can make it appear as though you have assumed responsibility for causing the accident or expressed guilt for causing the collision in some way.
If the insurance company can make it seem as though you are partially responsible for causing the accident, it could get your injury settlement reduced or dismissed entirely. For this reason, when an insurer asks you to give the company a statement after your motorcycle accident in Marion, you should direct them to your attorney, who can provide them with the factual information they need to move forward with your insurance claim.
What if I’m an Injured Motorcycle Passenger?
If you were a passenger on a motorcycle and suffered serious injuries, you may have the right to financial compensation. We understand that you may have concerns about moving forward with your case when someone you were close to is at fault for your injuries.
However, your relationship to the liable party should not have any bearing on your right to financial compensation. If we take on your case, we will handle your motorcycle accident claim delicately. We can help you attempt to preserve the relationship with your family member or friend while still seeking the compensation you are entitled to.
How Do Ohio Shared Fault Laws Work?
Many motorcycle accident victims have concerns that sharing fault for their injuries means they are not entitled to financial compensation. However, this is not the case. Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 50% threshold. As long as you’re not 50% or more responsible for causing the accident, you can still recover compensation for your damages.
However, expect your injury settlement to reflect a shared fault deduction that correlates with your percentage of liability. For example, if you were 20% responsible for causing your injuries after you failed to wear a motorcycle helmet, and the jury awarded you $100,000 for your damages, your injury settlement would be reduced by 20%, leaving you with an injury settlement of $80,000.
How Can I Help My Case After an Ohio Motorcycle Accident?
You can ensure you have a copy of all important correspondence about your case, including the official police report, medical records, witness statements and contact information, and information from all parties involved in the accident. Make sure all information is correct. If it isn’t, get corrected copies if possible.
Keep all conversations about the accident to a minimum. Do not discuss fault at all with anyone, even if you think you contributed to the accident, and avoid posting on social media about the accident.
Track your accident-related expenses, lost income, benefits, and other earnings. You can keep a daily diary to document how the accident-related injuries and losses you suffered have affected you. You can contact a personal injury law firm to help you build your compensation case and show how the opposing party is liable.
Contact Our Marion Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
Here at The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we treat every Ohio victim’s case on an individual basis to identify the cause of their accident and a fair settlement value. If another party’s negligence caused your collision, and you would like to know more about your legal options and how our Marion motorcycle accident lawyer can help, our team is here to discuss your case. Our Marion office is located on East Center Street.
Consultations are free, and we have team members available 24/7 to take your call. Accident injuries wait for no one, and you shouldn’t have to, either. Call us to seek help now.