As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 89,000 motorcycle accidents occur in the U.S. every year, of which about 5,000 are fatal. One of the major causes of motorcycle accidents in Utah is road debris, which does not allow tires to maintain normal contact with the road.
Guess what kind of debris keeps getting found on Utah’s freeways, especially when the weather gets nasty? – Tires, wooden planks, metal pieces, plastic trash, animal parts, beaten down vehicles, fallen-off vehicle parts, trailer hitches, assorted trash, and more!
A motorcycle accident is far more dangerous than a vehicle accident and therefore we, a group of Utah motorcycle accident attorneys, compiled a few updates that will keep you more informed about such accidents and the law:
1. The tyranny of the left turn
Left-turn accidents take place when a driver takes a left turn under unsafe conditions. According to Utah state traffic rules vehicles can take a left turn only when the left turn arrow turns green, or, if an intersection does not have a left-turn arrow, then only after yielding to the oncoming traffic, including cyclists and pedestrians. But many folks do not follow the book.
Left-turn accidents can also happen if a vehicle in front suddenly pulls to the left.
About 50% of motorcycle accidents in Utah are caused by this tyranny of the left turn. At least, that is what our case files tell us. To avoid such accidents, do not assume the vehicle that is in front of you will allow you to pass. Always assume it is being driven by a maniac who will turn left at will. The assumption may be crazy, but it will keep you safe.
2. What’s so different about a motorcycle accident?
Motorcycle riders are not protected by a steel frame or by airbags and therefore many accidents result in serious injuries. The helmet protects just the head and is not adequate because the rider can get hit by a vehicle and also by the road/pavement when he falls.
The insurance company, judge, and jury also are likely to consider motorcycle riders as risk-taking villains. So, the biggest challenge that Utah motorcycle accident lawyers face is to convince the judge and jury that the victim is not the villain and that he is the one at the receiving end. This requires years of experience, and trust us, every victim – and every defendant – needs an experienced attorney to fight for him in the courts.
3. How long does a motorcycle accident case take to settle?
If the claim is settled before it goes to trial – It will likely take between 30 and 90 days to settle, given the complexity of the case. The attorney needs time to investigate the case, go through all the documents, and seek expert opinion on your economic and non-economic damages to determine your compensation.
If the claim goes to trial – It can take years depending on the complexity of the case. Our experience suggests it can take 2 years or more because the plaintiff and the defendant may have to go through various motions such as the discovery phase and Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process before the trial starts. It is in every party’s best interest to settle the claim before it goes to trial. But if push comes to shove, so be it.
4. Should the plaintiff negotiate directly with the defendant’s insurance company?
Dealing directly with the defendant’s insurance company is like bargaining with the devil – win or lose, there will be hell to pay. All insurance companies – not just the defendant’s – coach their adjusters and negotiators to keep payouts at the minimum while being diplomatic and emphatic during negotiations.
Victims should allow their Utah motorcycle accident lawyers to deal directly with insurance companies (theirs and the defendants).
5. For how much are motorcycle accident claims settled in Utah?
This answer is based on our experience: Our motorcycle accident claims are settled at about $205,000 on average. In some cases, the rider’s fault percentage is 0%, and in some cases, it can be as high as 40% − so it all evens out and averages to about $205,000.
Experienced lawyers include economic and non-economic expenses into the claim and ensure that every victim gets the compensation that helps him rebuild his life.
6. Who should the victim sue for damages if the accident was caused by poor road conditions?
Two words: The government.
7. How much does a Utah motorcycle injury lawyer charge?
Nothing – nada. Yes, you read that right. We work on a contingency fee basis and add our fees to the compensation claim. Roughly about 33% of the compensation claim represents the attorney’s fees.
NO-COST, NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION OFFER
Feel free to reach out to us at (801) 849-9300 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our experienced Utah motorcycle accident attorney.
We will explain to you what is at stake, how much compensation you can expect after all the bills are paid, including ours.
Remember that we work on a contingency fee basis without any upfront fees. And we back up our claim in writing.
In our meeting, we will answer all your questions, clear your doubts, and make you a more informed plaintiff.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Just call us.
