Motorcycle Accidents: Overview

Christian Alvarado Discusses His Motorcycle Accident and Experience with Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS OVERVIEW

There’s nothing that compares to riding on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, motorcycles offer little protection from other drivers.  They don’t have seat belts or shoulder harnesses and the rider is vulnerable to a direct hit on the legs and hips or being thrown off the bike itself. Motorcycle accidents can result in wrongful death or serious injuries such as catastrophic burns, broken bones, amputation, traumatic brain injury, neck, back, and spinal cord injuries.

Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys Jim Schwebel and Paul Godlewski are avid fans of motorcycles, but they realize how serious motorcycle accidents can be.  In most cases, motorcycle collisions happen due to the gross negligence of other drivers. Usually, the other driver fails to see the motorcyclist.  That doesn’t qualify as an excuse under the law in any state.

Motorcycle accidents usually occur due to several hazardous situations, including:

• Bad weather can impair a motorcyclist’s braking or handling capabilities.  Wet or icy roadways can seriously impair ability to effectively control a bike.
• Motorcyclists may have difficulty seeing potholes, train tracks, fallen branches or oil spots.  Debris that has fallen from another vehicle can force a biker to weave or brake suddenly.
• Many motorcyclists are injured when another vehicle takes a left turn in front of them. This is particularly dangerous at intersections with no left turn signals.
• Windy conditions can make a motorcycle very difficult to control. Even the gusty breezes caused by a passing truck can jerk a motorcycle across the road.
• Motorcycles sometimes can’t be seen when they’re in a long line of traffic. It’s easy to become invisible when you’re in a vehicle’s blind spot. Collisions occur while changing lanes.

DO NOT RELY ON INSURANCE COMPANIES

Do not accept any claim before you speak with an attorney.  Many large insurance companies have adopted settlement policies that encourage their adjusters to offer quick payments to persons involved in an accident.  Insurance adjusters will contact you or your family shortly after an accident to try to gain your confidence.  In doing so, insurance adjusters often try to present themselves as the friend of the injured person or the family of the person who was killed in an accident.  The goal of such contact is to settle the case on terms as favorable as possible for the insurance company. 

YOU ARE OUR TOP PRIORITY

Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben is Minnesota’s largest personal injury law firm.  We maintain a national reputation for achieving substantial settlements and jury verdicts for our motorcycle accident clients.

Our success is attributed to the combination of experience, expertise, and exceptional dedication to the needs of every client.  Many accidents are caused by negligence, so it is imperative that anyone involved in an accident contact an experienced injury attorney.  Please remember that it is vital to act swiftly after you’ve been injured.  The sooner you involve a personal injury attorney, the better we will be able to preserve evidence, gather essential witnesses and address any other important factors.

YOU DESERVE

• Medical reimbursement
• Payment for past and future income loss
• Full compensation for pain and suffering
• Peace of mind in knowing your financial interests are being protected

WE ARE THERE FOR YOU

• Same day, evening and weekend appointments
• Home and hospital visits
• Never a fee until we receive a settlement for you
• We will go to trial if a fair settlement is not obtained
• Serving Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota

Call the attorneys at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben today at 612-377-7777 or toll free at 1-800-752-4265 for a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your case.