Legal•Info

North Dakota Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you ride a motorcycle there are steps you can take to try to avoid both accidents and serious injury. Wearing a helmet is not required for riders over the age of 18 in North Dakota, but a helmet may save you from serious head injuries, should an accident occur. Another good idea to decrease the chances of getting in a motorcycle accident is to participate in a motorcycle safety course. If you do this, make certain to ask your insurance company if this may lower your premiums. Additionally, there are other kinds of recommended safety gear, such as reflectors and eye protection, that may decrease your chance of being involved in a collision.

In 80% of motorcycle accidents, the fault lies with negligent automobile drivers, who either do not see the motorcyclist, or who cannot stop as quickly as a motorcycle and collide into them. You have a much higher chance of hospitalization or death while riding on a motorcycle than if you are riding in a car or truck. Motorcyclists are about 18 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident, and three times more likely to be injured than someone in a passenger car. More than 165,000 Americans are hospitalized every year due to motorcycle accidents.

If you have been the victim of a motorcycle accident, there are certain steps you should take as soon as possible after the accident. First, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if you feel that you are uninjured and do not require emergency services, it's important to see a doctor after the accident in order to rule out any internal injuries. Whiplash, for example, may not manifest itself immediately, but can develop down the road.

Before you leave the scene of the accident, it's important to have a police motor vehicle accident report filled out, as well as to get all the contact information for witnesses. You should also get the insurance information for the other party involved in the crash.

Be advised that soon after your accident, an insurance adjuster from the other party's insurance company may contact you and attempt to get you to make a taped statement, discussing blame for the accident. They may also try to get you to sign settlement forms, or to accept a settlement offer. Yet after you accept a settlement, you will not be able to pursue any further compensation.

Your chances of a successful outcome in your motorcycle case improve if you consult with an attorney. An attorney can not only answer your questions, speak to the insurance adjusters on your behalf, and advise you as to whether you have a valid legal case, but they can also recommend a doctor who is experienced in personal injury cases, will wait for payment, and is adept at testifying in motorcycle accident cases. Particularly if you have suffered a serious or long-term injury, an attorney can be your best ally in your fight to recover compensation.

Most motorcycle attorneys take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that they will not charge you any money upfront, but will only take out their fee once you have reached a settlement or won damages.
You deserve the best representation out there. Don't trust that the insurance companies will play fair when their main goal will be to pay as little as possible. An attorney can fight for all different types of compensation, including medical costs, lost wages, and in some cases punitive damages.