Halifax Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries and often leave riders with significant injuries and costly medical bills. Nova Scotia law allows motorcycle accident victims the ability to seek compensation for injuries and other damages by filing claims.

An experienced Halifax motorcycle accident lawyer can assist you with filing a claim and help navigate the legal complexities of dealing with the insurance company. Contact Nova Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation so we can review your case and help guide you through every part of the recovery process.

What are the Common Causes and Risk Factors for Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents, like other types of traffic collisions, can occur for various reasons. However, in many cases, motorcycle accidents can be attributed to distracted drivers or motorists who do not obey traffic laws or act recklessly.

Dangerous Conditions Leading to Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcyclists navigating Nova Scotia roads often encounter dangerous conditions that can lead to motorcycle crashes. Some of the factors that frequently lead to motorcycle accidents include:

Potholes
Loose rocks and gravel
Uneven pavement
Poorly maintained roadways
Adverse weather conditions

Driver Negligence and Vehicle Hazards

Although road hazards can pose a serious risk for motorcycle riders, human errors and driver negligence usually play a larger role in motorcycle crashes. Drivers operating cars or trucks often fail to see motorcyclists in time due to speeding or distracted driving. Speeding drivers or those distracted by their cell phones often run into the back of motorcycles, causing rear-end collisions. Other factors include drivers opening doors unexpectedly in front of unsuspecting motorcyclists, sudden lane changes, and failure to yield at intersections.

Defective motorcycles also contribute to dangerous collisions. Poorly designed brakes, frames, and tires can easily cause riders to lose control and result in severe injuries. Other factors contributing to motorcycle accidents include poorly designed fuel tanks, which can pose fire hazards.

What are the Most Frequently Reported Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Motorcycle accidents often result in bikers suffering severe injuries that can take considerable time to heal. Due to the lack of protection, such as seat belts and airbags, provided to those who travel in enclosed vehicles, many injured motorcyclists suffer life-changing, catastrophic injuries.

Severe and Catastrophic Injuries

Even if a rider is wearing a motorcycle helmet, they can still suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI in a motorcycle accident is usually caused by a severe jolt or blow to the head. A TBI can range in severity from a mild concussion to a brain injury requiring lifelong medical care.

Other severe injuries often sustained by motorcycle riders in accidents include bone fractures, especially in the lower extremities, which can result in broken legs. Motorcycle accident victims also frequently report broken arms, wrists, and pelvic fractures.

Other catastrophic injuries include:

Spinal cord injuries
Severe burns
Amputations
Organ damage

Medical Treatment and Recovery

Motorcyclists who suffer severe or catastrophic injuries generally face weeks, months, or even years of recovery from their injuries. Medical treatment often includes multiple surgeries, along with physical therapy and rehab. Even if a rider is wearing protective clothing, their injuries often cause severe pain. Aside from struggling with their physical injuries, many injured motorcyclists often endure emotional trauma. Accident victims can develop PTSD and relive the accident over and over, or depression and anxiety as they try to recover and put their lives back together.

What are My Legal Rights and Options?

If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you can pursue compensation by filing an insurance claim. In some instances, insurers are not willing to offer fair compensation, and it becomes necessary for accident victims to file a lawsuit to recover damages. Due to the complexities of filing claims, hiring a lawyer to assist you with your legal needs is always best.

Filing a Legal Claim After a Motorcycle Accident

After being injured in a motorcycle accident, you can file a claim to recover financial compensation for your damages. The best way to ensure your rights are protected during the claims process is to have skilled legal representation. Your lawyer can help you file a claim, prove negligence, and build a case that holds up to legal scrutiny.

Filing an insurance claim can sound intimidating. The process can be more straightforward with the help of a skilled lawyer. Your lawyer can assist you with completing the insurance paperwork and submitting it promptly, ensuring you do not miss any critical deadlines.

Aside from assisting with filing paperwork, proving negligence is a primary focus of a skilled lawyer. An experienced lawyer will gather evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and photos and videos of the accident to substantiate your claim. If the case involves multiple liability issues, your lawyer may work with an accident reconstructionist to give their opinion on who is at fault. If the insurance provider is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can file a lawsuit to ensure the negligent party is held accountable for their actions.

Understanding Legal Consultation and Evaluations

A Halifax motorcycle accident lawyer can assist you with your legal needs and help determine what damages you may be entitled to recover. Because every case is different, it is best to consult an accident lawyer who will professionally evaluate your claim and determine your legal options. Be sure to find a lawyer with significant experience handling personal injury law, as this is a vital component of obtaining favorable client outcomes.

What Do I Need to Know About Dealing with Insurance Companies and Claims?

Anyone injured in a motorcycle accident should never try to deal with the insurance company independently. Insurance providers often use tactics to reduce compensation to avoid paying large claims. Having a lawyer on your side is the most effective way to ensure that you receive a fair settlement.

Navigating the Insurance Claim Process

After being involved in a motorcycle accident, the first step is to report the crash to the authorities and seek medical attention. Being evaluated by a health professional is an essential step because it provides medical documentation that will corroborate your claim. You should also gather evidence by taking numerous photos and videos of the accident scene and contact information from bystanders who witnessed the crash.

After being examined by a medical professional, report the accident to your insurance company. Be prepared to present documentation that includes:

Medical records, including ER and doctor’s reports, and diagnostic imaging reports, such as CT scans, MRIs, or X-rays
A copy of the police report
Photos and videos of the accident scene, including damage to your motorcycle and other vehicles involved
Repair estimates
Names and contact information of individuals who witnessed the accident

Insurance Negotiations and Settlements

One of the primary benefits of hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer is that they will act as your legal advocate with the insurance company. The other driver’s insurance company often tries to blame a motorcyclist for causing the crash. In other instances, the driver’s insurance company may also seek ways to reduce compensation to protect its bottom line.

Nova Scotia has comparative negligence laws that allow settlements to be reduced if it is determined that a motorcyclist shares fault for the accident. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance provider to ensure you receive a fair settlement no matter the circumstances leading to the collision.

What Type of Compensation is Available for Motorcycle Accident Victims?

Motorcycle accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries, with victims left to deal with unexpected medical expenses and other damages. Sadly, in other situations, motorcycle riders suffer fatal injuries, leaving their families to try to figure out how they can pay for funeral and burial expenses.

Types of Compensation Available

Motorcycle accident victims may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages, which can cover medical expenses and other related losses.

Economic damages reimburse injured victims for their out-of-pocket expenses and may include compensation for:

Past and future medical bills
Lost wages
Loss of earning potential
Property damage

The term “non-economic damages” refers to compensation for intangible losses that cannot be quantified financially and are based on the facts of the case. Commonly awarded non-economic damages may include compensation for:

Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Emotional trauma
Permanent disfigurement and scarring

Families who pursue wrongful death claims may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages that cover funeral and burial costs, medical expenses, lost income, and loss of companionship, care, and guidance.

Seeking Financial Recovery After a Motorcycle Crash

Pursuing compensation after being injured in a motorcycle crash can be complex and overwhelming. Families of wrongful death victims may be unsure where to turn for help after their loved one is killed in a motorcycle accident. The best solution is to hire a well-qualified lawyer to handle the case.

A motorcycle accident lawyer knows the legal nuances of personal injury and wrongful death claims. Your lawyer will professionally evaluate your case to determine all available damages and maximize your compensation. Most motorcycle accident claims are settled out of court between injury lawyers and insurance providers.

When there are multiple liability issues or high-end damage, hiring a lawyer is the best option to ensure that you receive a fair settlement. Your lawyer will present evidence to the insurer that supports your claim and negotiate compensation that will give you the peace of mind you deserve. However, suppose the insurance provider is unwilling to offer a financial recovery that adequately meets your needs. In that case, your lawyer will take the case to court in an effort to hold all negligent parties accountable for their actions.

What Legal Rights Do Motorcycle Riders and Passengers Have to Themselves?

Unfortunately, insurance companies do not always treat injured motorcycle riders or passengers fairly. Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame to a biker or motorcycle passenger in order to pay less than the claims are worth. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by another person’s carelessness, you need legal representation to guarantee fair treatment from the insurance company.

Safety and Rights of Riders and Passengers

Motorcycle riders and passengers should always take proper precautions when traveling. Riders and passengers are required to wear helmets and other protective gear, such as gloves and goggles. Motorcyclists must obey all traffic laws and operate their bikes at safe speeds. A motorcycle operator is also prohibited from driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Just like other victims who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle riders and their passengers have specific legal rights under Nova Scotia law. Some of the rights granted to injured motorcycle riders and passengers include:

The right to safely share the road with other motor vehicles
The right to legal representation
The right to file a personal injury claim to try to recover damages
The right to be treated fairly by the insurance company

Accident lawyers are dedicated to helping motorcycle accident victims and advocating for their rights against insurance companies. A knowledgeable lawyer knows insurers’ various tactics to protect their profitability and will fight to protect your rights.

Call Our Halifax Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

Nova Injury Law is a local law office dedicated to helping victims hold negligent parties accountable for their actions after a motorcycle accident. Our highly experienced motorcycle accident lawyers have a proven track record of helping clients recover full and fair compensation for their injuries.

Contact our Halifax law offices today at (902) 707-3278 to schedule a free consultation. Our team is available 24/7 to provide legal guidance when you need it most.