Determined attorneys focus on delivering positive results
The winding mountain roads of West Virginia can provide endless hours of exhilaration for motorcycle riders. But it only takes a brief encounter with a negligent driver or a hidden road for a motorcyclist to suffer a serious injury and a long, painful recovery. And unless you can prove that someone else was mostly at fault, you will have to bear the burden of your injuries alone. Fortunately, Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban is prepared to help with aggressive legal representation focused on delivering optimal results. We understand the difficulty in proving liability for motorcycle accidents. We thoroughly investigate the facts of your crash and build a compelling case for the compensation you need and deserve.
Most common types of motorcycle accidents in West Virginia
The scenic beauty of West Virginia can create a false impression about the safety of our roads. Each year, dozens of motorcycle riders pay the ultimate price for a ride through the Mountain State. Motorcycle fatalities peaked at 52 in 2008 and declined to 29 in 2016. The most common types of motorcycle accidents in the state tend to be related to:
- Cars making left-hand turns — When a passenger car makes a left-hand turn across an intersection, cutting off a rider with the right of way, the result is often a broadside collision, where the rider either slams into the side of the vehicle or flies over the car onto the road surface.
- Head-on collisions — When a biker takes a turn at too great a speed, the bike can veer into the adjacent lane setting up a deadly crash with an oncoming vehicle.
- Lane splitting — This common maneuver is illegal in West Virginia and makes a biker vulnerable to collisions from cars changing lanes or opening doors.
- Speeding and alcohol use — These are the greatest contributing factors to deadly motorcycle crashes when the rider is at fault.
- Fixed object collisions — When a bike leaves the road — either to evade a crash or because the rider lost control— contact with a tree, a light pole, the side of a cliff, or a guardrail can be deadly.
- Road hazards — Riders must be alert to dangerous conditions, such as loose gravel, potholes, slick surfaces, blind turns, and animals in the roadway.
Many of these common accidents result from biker negligence and insufficient skill, especially with high-performance motorcycles, creating a presumption in people’s minds that bikers are unreasonable risk-takers. Unfortunately, that presumption can be difficult to overcome when you are trying to prove another driver or an unreasonably unsafe road was to blame.
Serious injuries common to motorcycle accidents
Because motorcycle riders are exposed, they are much more vulnerable than passengers in cars. Even at moderate speeds, a motorcycle accident can be catastrophic for the rider, producing:
- Bone fractures
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Road rash
- Spinal cord trauma and paralysis
- Wrongful death
When motorcycle injuries are severe, an injured rider needs the maximum compensation possible to pay for prolonged convalescence and, in many cases, a lifetime of care. Our attorneys are aggressive in the pursuit of justice for motorcycle riders. We protect our clients from accusations of contributory negligence and work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable.
Contact our West Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation
Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban helps motorcyclists in West Virginia recover full compensation for serious injuries. Call us today at (855) 435-7247 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. You pay nothing until your case is resolved and you receive compensation.
