Motorcycle accidents happen for numerous reasons. Some are hard to fathom as the cause of your losses. Lane-change motorcycle accidents are an example of this. They occur when a car changes lanes without looking or noticing a motorcycle. The end result can be disastrous, which is why you should speak with a Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer from Sargon Law Group about your case.
How Lane-Change Motorcycle Accidents Happen
A lane-change motorcycle accident occurs when a car, truck, or other vehicle changes lanes without fully checking all areas surrounding the vehicle. This is particularly dangerous for motorcycle riders operating in the car’s blind spots. Blind spots tend to be just to the left and rear of the vehicle and just to the right rear of the vehicle, where a driver may not see the motorcycle in their mirrors. Yet it is the responsibility of a driver to check for all traffic before making a lane change.
Outcomes for Lane-Change Accidents with Motorcycles
The smaller size of a motorcycle makes it easier for drivers to miss the vehicle in their blind spot. When they begin to move over in front of that motorcycle, they may clip the bike directly or may cause the rider to swerve to avoid them, causing the motorcycle rider to lose control over the bike. In both situations, serious injuries such as the following can occur:
- Head injuries
- Broken and crushed bones
- Road rash if the car drags the rider for any distance
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis
- Serious lacerations and wounds sometimes leading to amputation
- Emotional and mental trauma
These instances of lane-change accidents can cause catastrophic injuries for victims. Those injuries may include loss of vision or hearing, paralysis, chronic pain development, and disfigurement. The trauma alone can make it hard for a rider to ever get back on their bike.
How to Prove a Lane-Change Accident Occurred
The hard part of the process of recovering damages after a lane-change accident with a motorcycle is documenting negligence. In the ideal situation, there is some type of video footage that demonstrates what occurs. Other times, especially if the vehicle is a commercial truck, there may be a black box on board that provides insight into what the driver was doing.
This is often quite limited. For this reason, experts are often beneficial in these cases. They can demonstrate, using accident reconstruction tools, exactly what took place based on the outcome and debris from the accident. This can be critical in building a strong case for the motorcycle rider.
Potential Compensation in a Lane-Change Motorcycle Accident
Victims who successfully prove the driver of the car caused their accident may recover any damages related to the accident. This includes:
- Medical costs associated with the accident
- Healthcare costs for ongoing medical needs
- Disability and permanent disfigurement losses
- Property damage to the bike or other personal property
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
In the event that a person dies as a result of this accident, family members may seek wrongful death claims. This can include additional damages for dependents who have to navigate a difficult way forward.
Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Is Critical
Lane-change motorcycle accidents place a significant burden on the rider to prove the cause of their losses. With the help of a skilled Phoenix accident attorney from Sargon Law Group, you can trust your case is in good hands. Call today for a free consultation.