How Motorcycle Accidents Differ From Auto Accidents 

A driver looking for a motorcycle accident lawyer Rockville MD can trust may already know how important it is for injured victims to seek legal counsel after a serious accident. Although some individuals do not think it’s necessary to seek advice from a top motorcycle accident lawyer Rockville MD has to offer after an accident that seems minor, victims in motorcycle accidents may benefit a great deal from professional legal counsel.

Motorcycle accidents can be caused and influenced by factors that are similar to other types of car accidents: inclement weather, poor visibility, speeding, and alcohol use may all be factors in a motorcycle injury case. However, a good motorcycle accident lawyer Rockville MD can provide will know that motorcycle accidents can present unique complications that might not affect other types of car accidents.

At Cohen and Cohen, P.C., our lawyers understand that motorcycle accidents can be especially traumatic for riders who are seriously injured. These injuries can be physical and they can also be psychological. Both types of trauma can be incredibly difficult and expensive to treat; additionally, it isn’t always easy to predict immediately after an accident if an injury will require ongoing treatment. Some auto accidents have been known to leave victims with injuries that last for years or become permanently disabling.

The legal team at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. believes that motorcyclists have every right to be on the road with other cars, trucks, and SUVs. Many motorcyclists are knowledgeable of the risks involved and are careful to take precautions before getting on a bike. Even when a motorcyclist takes safety measures and abides by all traffic laws while riding, it’s still possible for another driver to make a mistake and cause a serious accident.

Here’s a quick look at why so many motorcyclists seek assistance from an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer Rockville MD can provide after they have sustained injuries in a complicated case:

1. Motorcycles have a high risk for fatal injuries.

According to 2013 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycles only represent 0.7% of all miles traveled in the U.S., but motorcyclists represent 14% of all traffic fatalities. Four-wheel passenger vehicles,on the other hand, account for 90% of all miles traveled in the U.S. but account for 77% of all traffic fatalities.

These statistics may seem surprising initially. Upon further examination, it’s clear that these statistics reveal how dangerous motorcycles can be for riders, regardless of whether a rider is operating the motorcycle or riding as a passenger.

As a good motorcycle accident lawyer Rockville MD can provide should know, motorcyclists often face higher risks on the road compared to the drivers and occupants of other vehicles. These vehicles essentially surround occupants with a metal box, acting as a barrier and keeping the occupants inside the vehicle during many collisions. Motorcycles do not provide this same barrier. Both operators and passengers on motorcycles can face a high risk of being ejected from the seat. Not only could a rider be injured during the initial impact of an accident, but he or she might also incur other injuries upon being ejected from the seat. This increases the likelihood of sustaining disabling, life-threatening, or even fatal injuries.

2. Motorcycles are less visible than other types of passenger vehicles.

One reason why riding a motorcycle is often considered more dangerous than riding in a passenger car or truck is that motorcycles are generally less visible to other drivers around them. Other drivers may not be attentive enough to see motorcyclists amid other vehicles. As any experienced Rockville MD motorcycle accident lawyer might know, low visibility is often a factor in motorcycle accidents that occur on busy highways or in intersections.

Many motorcyclists ensure maximum visibility while riding by using headlights and using other reflective equipment or safety gear. Nevertheless, drivers in other cars — especially those in large trucks with significant blind spots — may not be able to see a motorcyclist. This makes riding a motorcycle inherently more risky, but it does not necessarily mean that a motorcyclist should be held responsible for an accident.

3. The legality of certain driving maneuvers, like lane splitting, are often widely disputed.

Motorcycles have to abide by the same rules as other vehicles, but the smaller size of motorcycles may allow riders to maneuver through tight spaces while still being safe. The practice of lane splitting is one maneuver that isn’t entirely illegal in many places, but might not necessarily be legal. As a top motorcycle accident lawyer Rockville MD can offer may attest, lane splitting could potentially complicate a motorcyclist’s injury claim if he or she was lane splitting when an accident occurred.

When lane splitting, a motorcyclist drives in the middle of two lanes of cars — when both lanes are driving in the same direction — in order to pass other vehicles. This practice is often seen on multi-lane highways and in traffic jams where vehicles are at a standstill.

The legality of lane splitting may be up to local law enforcement or the court to decide. If a motorcyclist is being careful and is signaling before making lane changes, lane splitting could be ruled as legal in that instance. If a motorcyclist is driving recklessly while using lane splitting, a court might not be so lenient. When a motorcyclist uses lane splitting and happens to be injured in an accident at that time, he or she might need the help of a motorcycle accident lawyer Rockville MD trusts to have a better chance at winning an injury settlement.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Rockville MD

Motorcyclists face a plethora of risks on the road that other drivers might not have to think about, but motorcycles still have every right to share these roads safely with other vehicles. When an accident occurs and leads to an injury, motorcyclists also have every right to pursue compensation from all liable parties.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, or if a family member has suffered a fatal injury in an accident, contact the lawyers at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. today. Our legal team knows that motorcycle accident cases can be very complex and we understand that each case is completely unique. To discuss your case and potential avenues for obtaining injury compensation, contact a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer Rockville MD trusts by calling Cohen and Cohen, P.C. today.