South Bend Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

motorcycle accidentThe trusted legal team at Blackburn Romey can assist you following a motorcycle accident. Our team can handle all of the legal aspects of your personal injury claim or lawsuit while you focus your attention on getting better and making a full recovery from your injuries.

We protect the rights and interests of clients in and around Indiana after severe accidents and injuries. Our attorneys are familiar with insurance companies and navigate the entire legal process on your behalf. Don’t wait to discuss your case.

 

What Can Our Legal Team Do For You?

It is common for people to believe that they can save money by handling their own injury claims. Our clients often come to our office with an offer from the insurance company already in hand. A good offer isn’t hard to come by; the key is getting the RIGHT one. Our experienced attorneys can often increase your recovery amount significantly, so it is worth seeking assistance.

You can concentrate on your physical recovery. In the meantime, our lawyers:

  • Determine who is liable
  • Identify your past losses and future losses
  • Make the necessary injury claims
  • Make sure your claims are backed up with evidence
  • Make sure you get a fair settlement

You can learn more about your rights and options after a motorcycle accident by reviewing the following information. Contact our accident lawyers to discuss the specific facts of your case. You can always contact us for a free consultation if you have any questions about our services.

 

Why Choose Us?

While you have many options when selecting a personal injury lawyer, many people turn to us for help.

We have decades of experience handling all types of injury cases, both with insurance companies and in civil courts. With every case, we bring all our injury law experience to the table.

Our firm has many satisfied clients who were able to move forward financially as a result of a serious accident or injury. If you’d like to know more about our past results, you can schedule a free consultation with us.

 

A Motorcycle Accident Claim Can Result in a Variety of Damages

The value of a personal injury case is often a concern for accident victims. The following losses may be recoverable:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity)
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Loss of consortium
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Mental anguish
  • Lost quality of life

If the at-fault party’s actions were malicious, punitive damages might also be sought.

 

Damages for Wrongful Death

In the event of the death of a loved one in a motorcycle accident, a wrongful death claim would be filed rather than a personal injury claim. You may be able to seek the following damages if you file a wrongful death claim:

  • Inheritance loss
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Pre-death pain and suffering of your loved one
  • Expenses incurred by your loved one as a result of their motorcycle accident

Refer to our page on wrongful death to learn more about damages you may be entitled to if your loved one has been killed in a motorcycle accident in Indiana.

 

Remember Indiana’s Statute of Limitations

Motorcycle accident claims in South Bend must be filed within a specific period of time before the statute of limitations expires. In most cases, Indiana sets a two-year deadline for filing a claim after an accident.

When you wait too long to file a claim in court, you may lose the right to pursue compensation, so make sure all paperwork is in order.

Statutes of limitation may also differ depending on the situation. In the case of a motorcycle accident involving a government official, you may need to contact the municipality much earlier than two years after the accident. 

Hire a South Bend motorcycle accident lawyer to ensure that your case is handled properly and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

 

In the Event of a Motorcycle Accident in South Bend, What Insurance Coverage is Available?

It is important to determine available insurance coverage in a motorcycle accident after establishing liability and assessing damages. You may be affected by the following policies:

Property Damage Liability and Bodily Injury Liability

This coverage is required for Indiana motorists. This insurance covers damages caused by a driver’s actions in a crash. You would initially seek compensation from the driver’s liability insurance if an auto driver caused your crash.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM)

Your insurance company can provide you with this coverage. If the at-fault driver’s liability insurance isn’t enough to compensate you fairly, you can turn to this coverage.

Most Indiana drivers only carry the required minimum amounts of liability insurance ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 per accident).

In most cases, injured motorcyclists suffer far more than these amounts. UIM can help your case in that sense.

Thus, motorcyclists should carry as much UIM coverage as possible. If you have homeowner’s insurance, we recommend purchasing “minimum responsible coverage” that includes $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident and a $1,000,000 umbrella. Contact us to learn more about this often-confusing insurance coverage.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)

There is also the option to purchase this type of coverage. There is no reason you shouldn’t have UM coverage (unless you have rejected it in writing). If the at-fault driver has no insurance, this coverage kicks in.

 

Identify the Things You Can and Cannot Control

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating, and you may wonder what you could have done to prevent them. You can control some factors, and you can’t control others. Taking action where you can is part of being proactive.

What Are the Uncontrollable?

Various factors beyond your control can cause motorcycle accidents (and other vehicle crashes). 

Private individuals, large and small companies, or government employees could have caused the accident. You cannot control their insurance status and the coverage amount.

Most at-fault drivers are uninsured (with no insurance at all) or underinsured, with insurance coverage but not enough to compensate the accident victims.

You cannot control who causes your injury, so focus on what you can do to prevent it.

What Are the Controllable Factors?

The amount and type of insurance coverage you have are under your control.

It is safe to assume every driver is either uninsured or underinsured. So, unless you suffer a catastrophic injury, you will be protected using the “minimum responsible coverages.”

As a result, you are, in effect, buying insurance coverage for someone less responsible than you.

You may be protected in most crashes if you have these coverages. As a result, you will be grateful if you followed the suggestion or sad if you didn’t. It can be difficult to figure out coverage issues.

Please do not hesitate to contact our motorcycle accident attorneys in South Bend if you have any questions.

 

There Are Additional Coverage Options Available to You

UM/UIM coverage, including “excess” or “umbrella” coverage, is highly recommended by our motorcycle accident lawyers, no matter if you are a motorcyclist or a driver.

Premiums are only a few dollars, but they can save you a lot if you get hurt in an accident. Since motorcyclists aren’t surrounded by a steel cage, they are more likely to be seriously injured in a crash.

The following items may help you recover funds for motorcycle damage:

  • Coverage for damage caused by collisions with other objects, such as a car, tree, pole, or road sign
  • A comprehensive policy covers losses caused by factors such as wind, rain, theft, or collisions with deer
  • Motorcycle custom parts and equipment coverage (CPE) covers a portion of damages to custom parts

Adding these additional coverages to your policy with most insurance providers is possible. 

These coverages must have been in place before the accident to be used. A claim for damages will not be helpful if you purchase them after the fact.

 

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Indiana?

Most motorcycle accidents are caused by automobile drivers who fail to see the motorcyclist. A car driver can also cause a crash by:

  • Leaving too little space between themselves and the motorcycle or “tailgating”
  • Ignoring the motorcyclist’s right of way
  • Trying to “share” a lane with the motorcyclist or passing them too closely
  • Intimidating a motorcyclist with deliberate actions
  • Driving while distracted

An at-fault driver might be liable for your injuries if any of the above occurred in your case.

Defects Caused by Manufacturers

Motorcycle accidents can also be caused by defective brakes, gears, or tires. Manufacturers can be held liable for motorcycle crashes caused by defects.

Negligence on the Part of Municipalities

In addition, if a government entity knows that a road is unsafe and is responsible for its maintenance, that entity could be liable for damages.

 

After an Accident, What Should You Do?

The aftermath of an accident that results in injuries can be traumatic and stressful, and many people don’t know where to turn. Following an injury, you can take the following steps to protect yourself:

  • Consult a physician: The best course of action is to seek medical attention if you suspect you have been injured in any way. It improves your overall prognosis if you receive a quick diagnosis. Also, you can present the insurance company with a record of your injuries.
  • Get in touch with a South Bend accident lawyer: Contact an attorney as soon as your health stabilizes so that they can evaluate your rights and begin pursuing compensation on your behalf. You must begin this process as soon as possible because there are time limits involved.

At Blackburn Romey, you can get the legal help you need. Every time we take on a case, we bring a wealth of resources and experience to the table. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

 

Talk with a South Bend Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The skilled South Bend personal injury lawyers at Blackburn Romey will aggressively advocate for you during every stage of your motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit. For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer, please call us at 574.277.7711 or contact us online today.

Tom Blackburn, ” The Man With The Bike”

Tom Blackburn, "The man with the bike" riding a motorcycle in IndianaKnowledgeable South Bend motorcycle accident attorneys like Tom Blackburn can investigate the circumstances of your accident and file a claim or lawsuit against all potentially responsible parties. Since 1985, his practice has been exclusively limited to personal injury, motorcycle accidents, and wrongful death law. We can help you recover the damages you deserve for your injuries.

Personal Injury & Wrongful Death is all we do

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IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN injured AND NEEDS HELP, CONTACT US TODAY using the form below or by phone at
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