Wakefield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Published date: February 5, 2022
- Updated date: February 13, 2023
Are you struggling with injuries because you were recently involved in a motorcycle accident in Wakefield, Rhode Island? You may be entitled to compensation to cover the costs of your medical treatment and lost wages, and to make up for the pain and suffering you’ve endured. The experienced Wakefield motorcycle accident lawyers at Marasco & Nesselbush are ready to help you fight to maximize your financial recovery.
Since 1999, our nationally-recognized trial attorneys have been dedicated to helping crash victims and families in Wakefield and across the state of Rhode Island. Our client satisfaction is unparalleled, thanks to our commitment to getting the best possible results in every case we handle. Those results speak for themselves, totaling more than $100,000,000 in settlements and verdicts.
Let us stand up to negligent motorists, insurance companies and other liable parties on your behalf. Contact our law office in Wakefield, Rhode Island, to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation today.
WHY SHOULD I HIRE A WAKEFIELD PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER IF I’VE BEEN IN A MOTORCYCLE CRASH?
As a motorcyclist, you are susceptible to severe and catastrophic injuries when you’re in an accident. You need to focus as much of your energy on your recovery as you can—and that’s difficult when you’re also trying to pursue compensation.
Hiring an experienced Wakefield personal injury lawyer gives you the opportunity to do that and puts you on level ground with tough insurance companies.
When you choose Marasco & Nesselbush, you’ll also give yourself the edge needed to win your case and recover maximum compensation for your motorcycle crash injuries and suffering.
While you concentrate on getting better, our award-winning litigators will:
- Ensure that filing deadlines and procedural requirements related to your claim are satisfied
- Coordinate an in-depth investigation into your motorcycle wreck
- Gather accident reports, medical records, vehicle maintenance records, physical evidence from the scene, photographs, recordings and other information relevant to your case
- Interview and depose witnesses and parties who may have insight into the crash
- Consult with leading motorcycle accident experts and injury specialists so that we fully appreciate the cause, scope and impact of your injuries
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters, defense attorneys and other parties on your behalf
- Be prepared to bring your case to a jury in Washington County, Rhode Island, if you’re not offered a reasonable settlement offer
DO I HAVE A CASE?
If you think you may have a case, contact us now for a FREE consultation
Free Case Review
Contact Marasco & Nesselbush today for a free review of your motorcycle accident case.
RHODE ISLAND MOTORCYCLE LAWS THAT MIGHT AFFECT YOUR PERSONAL INJURY CASE
MOTORCYCLE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
In Rhode Island, motorcyclists must have a valid “M” endorsement on their driver’s license to lawfully operate a motorcycle. To get this endorsement, riders must successfully complete a motorcycle safety course offered by the Community College of Rhode Island and apply for a motorcycle permit. After 30 days, riders can convert the permit to the M endorsement and hit the open road.
Riding a motorcycle without a valid license is illegal and can adversely affect your right to recover compensation if you are involved in an accident. Your actions may be considered negligent and reduce or bar a financial recovery.
LANE SPLITTING
Lane splitting involves riding a motorcycle between two marked lanes of traffic. Often, riders split lanes to pass by cars stuck in traffic or to bypass backups at intersections. In the state of Rhode Island, lane splitting is illegal. Experts have varying opinions on lane splitting, but some research does suggest that the practice increases the risk of accidents. A recent French study found that lane splitting, or lane filtering, resulted in a 12 percent increase in crashes.
Violating a safety law can be considered negligence, which can result in liability for a motorcycle crash (and keep you from getting compensation in the process).
HELMET REQUIREMENTS
Riders under the age of 21 must wear a motorcycle helmet while operating a motorcycle in Rhode Island. Additionally, new riders must wear a helmet for at least one year from the date they get their “M” endorsement, regardless of age.
Even though it may not be required by law for most adults, not wearing a helmet can still be considered negligent and a failure to mitigate your injuries. In turn, it can hurt your chances of a full financial recovery after a wreck.
COMPARATIVE FAULT
As mentioned above, your own actions, such as not having a valid motorcycle license, failing to wear a helmet or lane splitting, can hurt your personal injury claim for damages. Why is that? It’s because Rhode Island has adopted a pure comparative fault system. Everyone who contributes to a motorcycle accident is liable for resulting harm. This includes victims.
When you share blame, your right to recover compensation is affected. Your financial award will be reduced in direct proportion to your degree of fault. If you’re assigned 50 percent of the blame for a motorcycle accident in Wakefield, your damages will be reduced by half to reflect that.
Negligent motorists and other parties will try to blame you for your motorcycle accident. You can prepare for this by enlisting the help of our qualified Wakefield personal injury attorneys immediately after your wreck. We’ll be ready to defend you and disprove or minimize the impact of claims that you share fault.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
Rhode Island has a three-year statute of limitations that applies to motorcycle accident lawsuits. Claims must be filed within three years of a crash or a victim’s wrongful death, whichever is later.
While there may be limited exceptions, it is important to take prompt action after a crash. You will lose the right to file a claim and recover damages if you miss the deadline that applies to your personal injury case.
WHAT CAUSES MOST MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS IN WAKEFIELD, RHODE ISLAND?
Motorcycle accidents tend to be a consequence of human error and negligence.
Leading causes of motorcycle wrecks in Wakefield include:
Speeding
Lane splitting
Distracted driving
Drunk driving
Tailgating
Failing to yield the right of way
Riding in a vehicle’s blind spot
Failing to stop at red lights or stop signs
Riding in bad weather conditions
Negligent vehicle maintenance
Illegal lane changes
Unsafe passing
DAMAGES AVAILABLE TO INJURED MOTORCYCLISTS
As an injured motorcyclist, you may have the right to recover compensatory damages in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Compensatory damages fall into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are awarded to make up for the financial losses associated with your wreck:
- Present and future medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages, income and benefits
- Disability
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Nursing care
- Funeral and burial expenses if a motorcycle accident is fatal
Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate for the way your life changes because of your motorcycle accident.
Often known as pain and suffering, examples of non-economic awards include:
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Embarrassment>
- Physical pain
- Loss of consortium
RIDERS ARE VULNERABLE TO SEVERE INJURIES IN A MOTORCYCLE WRECK
While riding a motorcycle offers a great way to explore Rhode Island, it can also be quite dangerous. Data suggests that riders are 28 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident than occupants of passenger vehicles.
Riders who survive their injuries can still suffer a wide range of catastrophic injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Burns
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck injury
- Back injury
- Paralysis
- Vision or hearing loss
- Dental injury
- Crush injury
- Internal organ damage
- Amputation
- Soft tissue injury
Always seek the care of a medical professional as soon as you can after your motorcycle is involved in a car accident. Prompt treatment will reduce the risk of complications and provide support for your future claim for damages.
WAKEFIELD MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS YOU CAN TRUST
You’ll have a limited time to file a lawsuit after a motorcycle accident in Wakefield, so don’t hesitate to call Marasco & Nesselbush for help today. Our Wakefield motorcycle accident lawyers appreciate that this is your one shot at a financial recovery, and we’re here to help you make the most of it.
We’ve led clients to more than $100 million in life-changing awards. Now it’s your turn to benefit from our top-rated legal guidance. We offer a free consultation and work on contingency. There’s no risk in hiring our law firm. You only pay if we win your case—end of story. Call to speak with a member of our compassionate legal team today.
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