Representing North Dakota Bikers Injured In A Motorcycle Accident
North Dakota, and its sister state South Dakota, is widely known for attracting motorcycle riders from all over the country. A good portion of riders resides right here at home in North Dakota. Since 2009, North Dakota has seen the number of licensed motorcycle riders increase by 36%.
We have a beautiful state for riding. And many people take advantage of that. Unfortunately, thousands of motorcyclists die each and every year in the US and North Dakota. It’s a dangerous hobby that can come with some serious consequences. There may not be as many motorcycle accidents as there are car accidents. However, motorcycle accidents tend to be deadlier than the average car accident. Motorcyclists aren’t provided with the protection a car offers. Typically, wearing a helmet is the only protection motorcyclists have to protect their heads. Because of this, riders are often:
- thrown from their bike
- crushed between objects
- otherwise severely injured during a motorcycle accident
If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident in North Dakota due to another’s negligence, you can seek compensation for your damages, like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Sand Law Will Win Your North Dakota Motorcycle Claim
When choosing an attorney, selecting one that has taken on multiple motorcycle accident cases in the past with success should always be your number one priority. You want to select an attorney that has experience specifically with motorcycle accidents and not just motor vehicle accidents. There’s more knowledge required when representing a motorcycle accident victim.
When choosing an attorney, selecting one that has taken on multiple motorcycle accident cases in the past with success should always be your number one priority. You want to select an attorney that has experience specifically with motorcycle accidents and not just motor vehicle accidents. There’s more knowledge required when representing a motorcycle accident victim.
Years Of Experience Winning Motorcycle Accident Injury Cases
Sand Law has years of experience working on and winning motorcycle accident cases. And we have a wealth of knowledge about how these cases work. We’ll be able to call out any use of unfair motorcycle bias used by the insurance company as a way to prevent you from getting your full compensation. We’ll also be able to educate the judge and jury about motorcycle accident cases to prevent unfair motorcycle bias from being used in court.
Years Of Experience Representing Clients Against Big Insurance Companies
Our extensive experience working with insurance companies will be invaluable to your case. Insurance companies keep a record of attorneys that they’ve dealt with. So if you select a settlement mill to represent your case or an attorney known for settling low and early, the insurance company won’t offer you much money. We have a reputation for negotiating high settlements. And we put up a fight for our clients to get you the compensation you deserve.
Access To Experts To Prove Your Compensation Needs
Part of what makes an attorney successful is their access to top experts, including accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and more. Hiring these experts is expensive. But an experienced attorney who is determined to win your case will have the funds to make it happen. At Sand Law, every case we take on receives our full attention. And we will hire whatever experts possible to make sure we have a solid case built.
Our Track Record Of Securing Compensation For Our Clients
And finally, our successful track record of recovering compensation for other motorcycle accident victims. We can show you concrete evidence of our previous case wins of cases similar to yours. If your attorney can show you evidence of their previous successes, don’t hire them.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
- According to the NHTSA, thousands of motorcycle accident-related deaths occur every year in the US.
- In 2017, there were 5,172 motorcycle-related fatalities.
- Since 2013, helmet usage has increased by 11%, from 60 to 71 percent.
- Since 2006, motorcycle riders have increased by more than 30% in North Dakota.
- Nearly every 2 days, a motorcyclist is injured in North Dakota.
- Likewise, a rider is killed in North Dakota every 23 days.
- 75% of motorcycle fatalities are men.
- Some 38% of motorcycle fatalities involved an alcohol-positive rider.
Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are caused most frequently by driver negligence. Negligence occurs when someone doesn’t take proper care in performing a task. In this case, driving. Negligent acts while operating a passenger vehicle can include:
- Reckless driving
- Drinking and driving
- Fatigued driving
- Speeding
- Road rage
- Distracted driving
- Inexperience
- General mistakes, such as running a red light or failing to look before merging
Different Types Of Motorcycle Accident Cases
Just like with other types of motor vehicle accidents, there are many different types of motorcycle accidents, including:
- Head-on motorcycle accidents
- Rear-end motorcycle accidents
- Caro door opening motorcycle accidents
- No-contact motorcycle accidents
- Hit-and-run motorcycle accidents
- Drunk driving motorcycle accident
Head-on Motorcycle Accidents
A head-on accident occurs when a car strikes a motorcyclist straight on, usually with the front of their car to the side or front of the motorcycle. Head-on motorcycle accidents are by far one of the most dangerous types and can cause the most damage since head-on collisions almost always happen at significant speeds and cause the rider to go flying.
Rear-end Motorcycle Accidents
Rear-end accidents occur when a vehicle rear-ends a motorcycle. Depending on the speed of the car, these accidents can range from mild to severe. A gentle tap might not cause an injury, but if a car driver is distracted and going full speed, they could cause severe or even deadly damage.
Car Door Opening Motorcycle Accidents
When the driver of a passenger vehicle parks on the side of the road, it is their responsibility to check oncoming traffic before opening their door. If they don’t check oncoming traffic, they could open their door into a motorcyclist. In many cases, a car door opening motorcycle accident is caused when a car door opens without giving the motorcyclist enough time to course correct, causing them to crash into the door. These types of accidents can cause crushing injuries, internal damage, and extremity injuries.
No-contact Motorcycle Accidents
No-contact accidents occur when a motorcyclist gets into an accident due to another person’s actions, even though the two vehicles never made contact. This can occur in many different ways, for example, if a car gets too close to a motorcycle and causes them to swerve off the road. No-contact motorcycle accidents can also be caused by something like a pothole in the road which may be the fault of a local municipality if they were well aware of the hazard and chose not to fix it.
Hit And Run Motorcycle Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents occur when a cyclist is hit by another motor vehicle, and the person who hits them leaves the scene without stopping. These cases can be tricky, as it’s sometimes hard to prove that the car was even there to cause an accident. However, in the world we live in, a good attorney can help to track this information down using cameras, GPS information, witness testimonies, and expert testimonies.
If, for some reason, we are unable to find the person who hit you, you may be able to use your own auto insurance and health insurance to cover your damages. An attorney will be able to help you devise the best plan.
Drunk Driving Motorcycle Accidents
Drunk driving accidents occur when one of the parties is intoxicated by alcohol. Car drivers who are intoxicated can cause severe or deadly injuries due to their recklessness. However, motorcycle riders can just as easily be responsible for a car accident if they are riding while intoxicated. In these instances, it would be the driver who could have a valid claim against the rider for damages.
What Are Some Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Depending on the cause of the motorcycle accident, there are many injuries that could occur. Common injuries from a motorcycle accident include:
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury occurs when the head is struck or penetrated with great force. When someone is thrown from their motorcycle during an accident or falls off, they can hit their head on the asphalt. While wearing a helmet will diminish damage to the head, it doesn’t completely prevent it.
TBIs can greatly change a person’s life, as they can lead to permanent brain damage, causing memory loss, loss of certain abilities, and loss of motor function, depending on where the brain is damaged. They result in high medical costs and ongoing treatment.
Spinal Cord Injuries
When a car strikes a motorcyclist on the side, the impact to the middle of the body can be extreme, causing a spinal cord injury. A spinal cord injury occurs when there is damage to any part of the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal cord.
Because spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, they will greatly affect one’s life. A victim of a spinal cord injury may have to purchase medical equipment, such as a wheelchair, receive expensive medical treatment, and have construction done to their house to make it more disabled-friendly. On top of that, most spinal cord injury patients require lifetime treatment and physical therapy to manage the pain and discomfort associated with their injuries.
Lower-extremity Injuries
Motorcyclists don’t have much protection, especially for their lower extremities. When they’re hit, it’s possible to have a limb broken, crushed, or amputated on impact. If a crush injury occurs and the limb isn’t amputated on impact, it may need to be amputated by a medical professional if the damage is too severe.
Back And Neck Injuries
Back and neck injuries include whiplash, herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, lumbar sprains, and facet joint injuries. Neck and back injuries vary in severity and can lead to chronic pain that requires consistent physical therapy.
INTERNAL INJURIES
Internal injuries occur when the body is struck with great force. Damage to the organs and internal bleeding, and forms of internal injuries. They may not be apparent at first and can get worse if you don’t receive early medical attention.
BREAKS AND FRACTURES
Breaks and fractures are usually minor, only requiring the setting of the bone and a cast to make sure that they heal properly. More severe breaks, such as shattered bones or breaks in multiple places, require surgery and physical therapy. Physical therapy is needed, especially in the case of intensely broken bones, as your body may forget how to walk if you’re off your feet for too long.
SEVERE ROAD RASH
Road rash is incredibly common in motorcycle accidents. Road rash occurs when skin scrapes against the asphalt, causing the skin to scrape off. Severe road rash may require a skin graft in order to heal properly and can leave the injured with scars and disfigurement. Severe road rash can also result in nerve damage and chronic pain.
If you’re not wearing a helmet and other protective gear while riding your motorcycle, you’re more likely to suffer a severe injury if you get into an accident, so it’s important to remember to wear your helmet and protective gear.
What Should I Do If I’m Involved In A Motorcycle Accident?
If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, the first thing you should always do is seek medical attention if you are injured. Make sure that everyone else is okay if you’re able to. If you can, move your motorcycle out of the roadway and contact the police. If you can do the following– or if are seriously injured and need to be transported by ambulance, try to have a trusted person perform the following:
- take as many pictures and videos of the accident scene as possible for later evidence
- document your injuries with pictures and videos
- keep each and every record and document associated with your case
- keep a journal to record the date, time, and topic of all phone calls and communications
- contact a lawyer ASAP so that they can begin to advise you immediately
Seeking immediate medical attention is important, as insurance adjusters often use delayed treatment as a reason to deny claims. They may claim that your injuries weren’t that serious if they didn’t require immediate medical attention. They may also claim that they can’t link your injuries to the accident because of the gap in care. To avoid these potential issues, seek medical attention immediately after leaving the scene of the accident.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered?
Receiving compensation for your injuries is the main reason that people file a lawsuit. We know that you’re eager to recover the damages from your accident, and we can help to ensure that you receive the money that you deserve.
Current Medical Expenses: You can receive compensation for the medical expenses that you’ve already incurred, such as ambulance rides, surgery costs, doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and physical therapy. You may also be able to recover damages associated with medical equipment costs. If you need to make changes to your home to accommodate medical equipment such as wheelchairs, beds, or oxygen machines, you may be able to receive compensation for those damages as well.
Future Medical Expenses: If your doctor believes that you’ll require further medical attention after your case, you’ll be able to recover damages for future medical bills, including costs associated with doctor’s visits, medical equipment, physical therapy, and more.
Lost Wages: When you’re recovering from an injury, you may be required to miss work. You can recover the income that you didn’t receive while you were out of work.
Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering damages are awarded based on how much your quality of life has changed before and after the accident. The greater the change to your quality of life, the more compensation you’ll receive.
Wrongful Death Damages: If you’re filing a lawsuit on behalf of someone who’s passed away, you can recover damages such as pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, burial costs, and more.
Other General Damages: If the accident caused you to lose a partner or caretaker, you can claim further compensation for this as well.
Contact A North Dakota Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in North Dakota and you believe the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Sand Law today. We’re ready and willing to help you get the compensation you need to fully recover from your accident. Please call us at 701-394-3912 or contact us online.