HOW DO CAR ACCIDENTS COMPARE TO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS?
Both cars and motorcycles have a right to enjoy the use of the roads. But when you’re hurt in a motorcycle accident, you may start to wonder how car accidents and motorcycle accidents are different. Here’s what you need to know about the difference between car accidents and motorcycle accidents from our Denver motorcycle accident attorneys.
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How Do Car Accidents Compare to Motorcycle Accidents?
Car accidents compare to motorcycle accidents in that motorcycle accidents are more common than car accidents. There are 13 fatal accidents for every 100,000 cars, but there are 72 fatal accidents for every 100,000 motorcycles. Although motorcycle accidents are more common than car accidents, laws that allow accident victims to seek financial compensation for their injuries apply to both car and motorcycle accidents alike.
What Is a Major Cause of Death in Motorcycle Accidents?
Head trauma is a major cause of death in motorcycle accidents. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, head and brain trauma is to blame or half of all motorcycle accident deaths. Brain trauma may include skull trauma, concussion, hemorrhage, fracture, and other kinds of injuries.
What Is Safer, a Car or a Motorcycle?
A car is safer than a motorcycle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you’re 35 times more likely to be in a fatal motorcycle accident than a fatal traffic accident. Your chances are based on miles driven in a car compared to miles ridden on a motorcycle.
What Makes a Car Safer Than a Motorcycle?
Cars may be safer than motorcycles for several reasons. A person who rides in a vehicle has the protection of the car. The car surrounds the driver and passengers. It can shield impact and protect passengers in case of an accident.
By contrast, a motorcycle doesn’t offer the inherent protection that a car has. In a motorcycle accident, the riders are more likely to be thrown from the vehicle. In addition, the smaller size of a motorcycle compared to most passenger cars may make it harder to see on the road and more susceptible to damage when it gets hit by larger vehicles.
What Is the Law for a Colorado Motorcycle Accident?
Colorado is an at-fault state, meaning the law for a Colorado motorcycle accident is that the person who is injured in the accident may claim compensation from the party who causes the accident. The standard to win compensation for a motorcycle accident is negligence. That means that a person who causes the crash through their own carelessness must compensate injured parties for their damages. Colorado civil negligence laws apply to motorcycle accidents. Additionally, Colorado’s statute of limitations also applies in motorcycle accident cases.
Things to Know About Colorado Motorcycle Accident Cases
When you have a motorcycle accident case, there are some special considerations. To succeed in your motorcycle accident claim, you need to be aware of some challenges and nuances that may not be present in a typical car accident case:
- Teaching the jury about motorcycles – While there may be one or two motorcycle enthusiasts on the jury, most of the people on a typical jury have never ridden on a motorcycle. To explain your case to the jury, you may need to clarify how motorcycles work and what the standard practice is for motorcycle riders. You might present this information using videos, charts, diagrams, and expert testimony.
- Watching for motorcycle bias – As you already know, some people don’t believe motorcyclists should have a right to use the road. If these people are in the jury pool, they may not be able to be fair when deciding your case. When you begin your trial, you have the opportunity to ask the jury questions about their biases. If someone states that they can’t be fair, you can ask the court to remove them from jury duty. You also have the opportunity to remove some jurors without having to give a reason.
- Explaining serious injuries – The injuries in a motorcycle accident are often severe. To win fair compensation for your case, you need the jury to understand how your injuries occurred and how serious they are. You can gather medical evidence and call medical professionals to the witness stand to explain your injuries and justify your request for compensation.
How Much Is a Good Settlement for a Motorcycle Accident?
A reasonable settlement for a motorcycle accident is a settlement that compensates you for your financial losses and also pays you fairly for your pain and suffering. According to Jury Verdict Research, the average motorcycle accident trial verdict is $73,500. However, whether a settlement is reasonable depends on whether it’s fair based on your personal injury, damages and losses, and the entire circumstances of the case.
How Much Money Will I Get from My Motorcycle Accident Settlement?
In your motorcycle accident settlement, you will get an amount of money that’s proportional to your injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering. There are a lot of factors that go into the amount of a motorcycle settlement like the severity of your injuries, how clear the fault is of the responsible party, the limit of the responsible party’s insurance company, and whether any legal issues make the case complicated. How much money you get depends on a combination of all of these factors as well as the diligence you use in building your claim.
How Our Denver Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help?
Have you been hurt in a motorcycle accident? Are you wondering how your motorcycle accident compares to a car accident case? Our Denver motorcycle accident attorneys can help.
At Bachus & Schanker, we’re proud to represent motorcycle accident victims. We’re dedicated to pursuing your rights completely and fairly under Colorado law. It’s our honor to help deserving motorcycle accident victims exercise their rights and get the compensation that they deserve.
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Colorado, we invite you to speak with our team. We can help you understand how the law applies to the case and what your options are. If you choose to hire our team, we promise to provide aggressive, professional representation, and work until you have justice. We are conveniently located at 5 Colorado locations near you in Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Englewood. Our attorneys are ready to serve you and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today for your no-obligation, confidential consultation.
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Written and Legally Reviewed By: Kyle Bachus
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Kyle is a member of the Colorado Bar associations and has served on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association for more than twenty years in total. Over the years, Kyle has achieved justice for many clients. He has served on numerous committees and repeatedly won recognition from his peers at both the state and national level. He is proud of the role he has played in the passage of state and national legislation to protect consumers and is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer.
