If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Westlake, Ohio, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers for a free consultation at (419) 502-5821. Our award-winning Westlake motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help you make the most of your claim.
We’re a top-rated personal injury law firm in Ohio that has won countless cases for our clients since our founding. If you hire us, we’ll put the full force of our 181 years of combined experience and $100 million recovered to work for you from the start.
Reach out when you are ready for more information. We can provide you with some initial legal advice during your free case review.
Why Hire Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers After a Motorcycle Accident in Westlake, Ohio?
Motorcyclists often face an uphill battle after an accident takes place because of the bias that insurance companies and other parties hold against riders. If you aren’t careful and don’t hire an experienced Westlake personal injury lawyer to represent you, you may resolve your claim for a lot less than what it’s actually worth.
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers will make it our primary objective to maximize the value of your claim once you decide to put us to work for you.
Here are some of the reasons to trust our Westlake motorcycle accident attorneys with your case:
- Our case results include seven-figure recoveries for our clients.
- Our team has almost two full centuries of combined legal experience.
- We have relationships with leading expert witnesses who can strengthen your claim.
- We can take any case to court and all the way to trial if necessary.
- We offer comprehensive legal services throughout your case, including handling all of the communications and negotiations with the opposing party.
Get in touch with our office in Westlake, OH, today to schedule your free case review. We can answer any questions you might have about your next steps at that time.
How Much Is My Westlake Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
Since each motorcycle accident case is different at the end of the day, the value of your claim will depend on a number of factors specific to your situation. Cases involving the most serious injuries are usually worth the most, but that’s just one piece of the picture.
Some other things that can influence what your case is ultimately worth include:
- The insurance coverage available from the at-fault party
- Whether you are expected to make a full medical recovery
- How the accident has affected your ability to work
- The nature and severity of your pain and suffering
- Whether you share any of the responsibility for the crash
- How persuasive your supporting evidence is
Having a qualified Westlake personal injury attorney on your side can also affect your claim’s value in meaningful ways. A skilled attorney can better negotiate with the insurance company and may leverage expert testimony to demonstrate the full extent of your losses as well.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident in Westlake?
Motor vehicle accident victims in Westlake may be able to pursue compensation for the full range of harm they’ve suffered. Damages in these personal injury cases generally fall into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are for your financial losses, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages address the personal impact of the accident on your life, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
In certain cases, punitive damages may also be on the table. These are reserved for situations involving particularly egregious behavior, such as a driver who was heavily intoxicated at the time of the crash.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Westlake, OH?
Most motorcycle accident attorneys in Westlake operate on a contingency fee basis, and our firm is no exception. That means instead of paying us up front or by the hour, you don’t pay any attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for you.
You’ll sign an agreement detailing the terms at the beginning of the process. The exact percentage varies depending on the facts of your case, but the structure ensures that our interests are aligned with yours. We are motivated to maximize your recovery, and you can afford experienced legal representation regardless of where you stand financially.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Motorcycle Accident in Ohio?
It’s possible. Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence standard under O.R.C. § 2315.33. Per this law, you can typically still recover compensation as long as you are not found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident. If your share of the blame stays at 50% or below, your damages will likely be reduced by that percentage but not eliminated.
For example, if a jury assigns you 20% of the fault and your total damages come to $150,000, your recovery would likely be reduced to $120,000.
The key is making sure you aren’t assigned more blame than you actually deserve. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Westlake know how to counter these arguments and present evidence that keeps the focus on the other driver’s negligence.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle riders have virtually no barrier between themselves and the road, which is why the injuries from these crashes are so often catastrophic. Our lawyers are prepared to help you file a claim after sustaining any of the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Concussions
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Burn injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Crushed limbs
- Nerve damage
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Hip fractures
- Paralysis
- The wrongful death of a loved one
Were you hurt in a motorcycle crash that was someone else’s fault? We may be able to help. Call today for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Westlake
Westlake sits along the I-90 corridor in Cuyahoga County, an area with heavy traffic and a mix of highway and local road driving. Motorcyclists face elevated risks on these roads because they are smaller, harder to spot, and far more vulnerable in a collision than the occupants of a passenger vehicle.
Most motorcycle crashes stem from some form of driver negligence, in the end.
Some of the causes our personal injury attorneys see most often include:
- Drivers failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Left-turn accidents where a vehicle turns in front of an oncoming motorcycle
- Distracted driving, particularly cell phone use
- Speeding and aggressive driving behaviors
- Failure to yield the right-of-way at intersections
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Tailgating motorcyclists too closely
- Opening car doors into the path of a passing rider
- Dangerous road conditions
You may be owed compensation no matter how your accident took place. Contact our team today for legal help, and note that our car accident lawyers can also help if you were injured in an automobile.
How Long Do I Have To File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Westlake?
Under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is usually two years from the date of the accident. Once that window closes, your right to file a lawsuit is almost certainly gone for good.
There are limited exceptions that may apply depending on the circumstances, but they are rare. Getting in touch with our legal team early gives us the best opportunity to investigate your crash and build the most successful case possible on your behalf.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Accident in Westlake?
Liability in a motorcycle accident isn’t always limited to the other driver.
Depending on how the crash happened, several parties could bear responsibility for your injuries:
- The other driver is the most common defendant in these cases, such as if they ran a red light.
- An employer may be liable if the at-fault driver was operating a company vehicle or performing work duties at the time of the crash.
- A government entity could share responsibility if a dangerous road condition or something similar contributed to the accident.
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer may be at fault if a mechanical defect, such as a brake failure, played a role.
- A maintenance or repair shop could be liable if negligent work on either vehicle contributed to the crash.
Our trial attorneys will investigate every angle of your case to identify all potentially responsible parties. The more sources of liability we can establish, the more compensation may be available to you.
Contact Our Westlake Motorcycle Accident Attorneys to Set Up a Free Consultation
Were you injured in a motorcycle accident in Westlake, OH? You may be entitled to significant compensation from the responsible party. Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers can help you evaluate your legal rights and follow through with your best course of action from there.
Our Westlake motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to help. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule a free consultation.