Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Indiana

Protecting Your Rights After a Motorcycle Crash

When you’re injured in a motorcycle crash, you might not know your rights as an accident victim. For example:

• You have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit within two years from the accident date (Indiana § 34-11-2-4).
• You may qualify for compensation even if you played a role in the crash under Indiana’s comparative fault law.
• You may hire an attorney to file an insurance claim or lawsuit.
• Indiana helmet laws do not require you to wear a helmet if you are over 18 and have a motorcycle license.

Navigating an insurance claim or a lawsuit while hurt can feel like an uphill battle. As one of America’s most widely recognized law firms, The Goldwater Law Firm works with co-counsels who share our passion for getting victims justice and results. Call today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

How Our Law Firm Partners Can Help

Whether you’re injured in South Bend, Fort Wayne, or the capital city of Indianapolis, The Goldwater Law Firm matches you with a partner law firm best suited for your case.

Our co-counsel can:

• Examine evidence from the crash, such as police reports, witness statements, and video footage
• Obtain medical records to determine the scope and extent of your injuries and expected prognosis
• Identify the responsible party
• Negotiate for compensation that accurately reflects your physical and emotional injuries, plus expenses for medical care, lost pay, and other losses
• Go to trial if the insurance company will not negotiate fairly

It’s crucial to have substantial evidence to correctly identify the party (or parties) who should be held accountable. Insurance companies are infamous for trying to blame the rider because of a prejudicial view of motorcyclists as reckless. An attorney with one of our partner law firms can build a strong case that protects your right to seek compensation if you qualify.

Who Is Liable for the Accident?

Indiana roads can be dangerous for motorcyclists. According to Indiana Crash Facts, in 2022:

• 72 percent of motorcyclists in collisions were injured or killed
• Motorcycle crashes are on the rise, with a record 2,885 accidents
• 123 motorcyclists died from their injuries

When someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing is the cause of your crash, they should pay for your expenses and compensate you for your pain. There might be one or more liable parties, including:

• A negligent driver who did not take reasonable measures to avoid the crash
• A commercial trucking company whose employee lacked proper training
• A government agency that failed to maintain the roads properly

When you work with one of our law firm partners, you can focus on rest and recovery. Our co-counsels have access to our extensive network of medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and other subject matter experts to support your case.

What Compensation Could Be Available in My Case?

Motorcycle accidents tend to cause extensive injuries that may require surgery, hospitalization, and a lengthy recovery. Most people are unprepared for the huge bills that accompany proper treatment. A lawyer in our co-counsel network may pursue compensation to cover these costs, including:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Lost income or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

An attorney can also help family members with a wrongful death claim if a loved one passes away from injuries.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Indiana

The Indiana University safety study found that motorcycle crashes most often involve more than one vehicle. The study also identified the seven most common driver errors that contribute to motorcycle accidents:

• Failing to yield the right of way
• Following too closely
• Backing up unsafely
• Making hazardous lane changes
• Turning improperly
• Ignoring traffic signals or signs
• Driving too fast for the weather conditions

Injuries Our Co-Counsels Commonly See in Motorcycle Accidents

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), only three percent of registered vehicles nationwide are motorcycles. Yet motorcycle riders accounted for over three percent of injuries and 15.5 percent of traffic fatalities in 2023. With little protection provided by their vehicles, motorcycle riders tend to suffer severe injuries, including:

• Head and brain injuries, particularly if they were riding without a helmet
• Multiple broken bones
• Back and neck injuries
• Deep lacerations
• Road rash

Recovering from these injuries may take several weeks, months, or longer. Some accident victims never fully recover if they suffer paralysis from a spinal cord injury or permanent brain damage from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The costs for long-term care for these injuries could easily bankrupt a family, along with the emotional distress.