Motorcycles enjoy immense popularity as a fast, exciting, and inexpensive way to travel in and around Oregon. But without a car’s safety features such as seat belts, air bags, and safety design, motorcycles pose serious risks of fatal and severe injuries to riders in a road crash.
Growing Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
2014 data obtained at the Oregon Department of Transportation indicate that 44 people were killed and 940 were injured in motorcycle accidents. In 2015, the number of motorcycle fatalities grew to 60. And as of July this year, 31 people have already died in motorcycle accidents, mirroring a similar rise in motorcycle fatalities in the previous year.
State police associate the rising trend in motorcycle crashes to the improving economy as cheaper fuel prices encourage more people to use the motorcycle as their main mode of transportation. An estimated 8.4 million motorcycles were registered in Oregon in 2014. With the growing number of motorcycles on Oregon roads, the number of motorcycle accidents is likely to remain the same or increase.
Catastrophic Injuries
In 2015, 13.4% of Oregon traffic fatalities were on motorcycles. Absent the protective features of ordinary sedans, motorcycle riders are vulnerable to injuries particularly when involved in collisions with other motor vehicles. Riders who survive motorcycle accidents often suffer severe injuries that can scar them for life and permanently change their way of life.
Broken bones, fractures, severe head injury, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other serious physical injuries are some of the common injuries affecting victims of motorcycle accidents. Multiple surgeries, extensive medical treatments, and long periods of confinement are often necessary for survivors of motorcycle accidents to completely heal their wounds and recover.
Claiming Compensation for Injuries
If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, at the very least you deserve to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney about any potential liability for the loss of your loved one. Your attorney can examine the details of the accident, determine the cause of the accident, and provide important information about your rights under the situation. If your attorney determines that the accident was due to the fault or negligence of another party, you may also have a claim for compensation against them.
In Roseburg, Oregon, the law offices of Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Attorney PC have proven experience in motorcycle accidents and have helped clients recover compensation that they legally deserve.
Call Us Today for a FREE Consultation
(541) 460-5363
Client Story
What Happened
Our client was hit while traveling through an intersection. A pickup truck turned in front of our client, causing our client to collide with the passenger side of the truck and knocking him to the ground. Our client was transported by ambulance to a local emergency room and the truck driver was immediately cited for his traffic offenses.
Due to his accident-related injuries, our client required hospitalization for seven days following the accident. While admitted in the hospital he underwent numerous X-Rays and CT scans to his pelvis, right knee, abdomen, left elbow, and cervical spine. His most serious injuries included a fractured left elbow and a fractured pelvis that required surgery, and a decompressed bladder that required urological consultation and the insertion of a catheter.
When We Were Called
The main problem that our client faced was the fact that, because this was a motorcycle accident, there were no personal injury protection benefits available to pay his medical bills or wage loss. His health insurance company initially denied his medical bills because the accident was the fault of a third party. Additionally, he was unable to get the adverse insurance carrier to compensate him for his motorcycle that was totaled.
How We Were Able to Help
Very quickly, the experienced and caring Oregon motorcycle accident attorneys at Dwyer Williams Cherkoss PC were able to get this client compensation for his lost motorcycle. We were also able to get his health insurance to pay all his medical bills less his co-pays. We guided our client through his treatment, assisted him in getting back to work, and eliminated any concern he may have had concerning his claim and compensation.
Because of our experience as lawyers that specialize in motorcycle accidents, we were able to obtain a policy limit settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company and also obtained an under-insured policy limit settlement through our client’s insurance company that collectively totaled more than six figures. Our client was happy with the result, and so were we.
Call Us Today for a FREE Consultation
(541) 460-5363
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