Did you suffer serious injuries or was your loved one killed in a motorcycle accident in the greater Washington, D.C. area? If so, you will want to contact CHASENBOSCOLO as soon as possible. Motorcycles are much smaller than most other motor vehicles they share the roads with, so the people operating or riding on motorcycles are susceptible to severe injuries when involved in any kind of accident. Many victims accumulate massive medical bills, while some are unable to return to work for many weeks, months, or even years.
Our firm will fight to make sure that you obtain every last dollar of compensation you are entitled to. You can have our attorneys examine your case when you call (301) 220-0050 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
Do I Need A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
If you sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, it may seem clear to you that you deserve compensation from the at-fault driver. While you may think that all you need to do is file a claim with insurance, but unfortunately, it is rarely that easy.
In many cases, insurance companies will inform victims that claims adjusters have been assigned to their cases and are conducting investigations. As part of these investigations, the adjusters will usually contact the people involved and ask them to provide recorded statements. You should always decline any invitation to make a recorded statement. These are usually opportunities for insurers to try to trick people into admitting their own negligence, and the insurance companies will then deny claims on the grounds that the motorcyclist was at fault for their own injuries.
In other cases, insurance companies could offer lump-sum settlements to resolve the cases, but such offers are usually much less than what people are actually entitled to. Let a lawyer handle negotiating your own settlement, as the attorney will be able to accurately gauge what your case is truly worth. While you focus on your health and recovery, we can gather the evidence, negotiate with insurance, and prepare your case for trial to ensure you get the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Why Choose CHASENBOSCOLO To Handle My Case?
CHASENBOSCOLO has recovered over $750 million for our clients since our firm’s founding in 1986. We provide every client with the No Fee Guarantee®, so you never pay us anything unless you obtain a financial award.
Barry M. Chasen and Benjamin T. Boscolo each have more than 30 years of legal experience. Both men have received an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, denoting the highest level of professional excellence.
The team at CHASENBOSCOLO includes 25 attorneys and more than 90 professionals with over 100 years of combined legal experience. All of us are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so we will always be in touch when you need us.
Our firm will negotiate for a settlement that provides all of the compensation you need and deserve for all of your past, present, and future expenses. At CHASENBOSCOLO, we will never accept just any settlement, as we went to court for our clients over 500 times in a span of five years.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle
A motorcycle accident can be caused by many of the same events that trigger most car wrecks, but there can also be dangers particularly unique to motorcycles. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding
- Driver Fatigue
- Drunk or Drugged Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Failure to Yield
- Unsafe Lane Change
- Turning Accidents
Not every motorcycle crash involves another motor vehicle. Some accidents may be entirely isolated incidents. Such crashes are frequently blamed on driver error, but there can often be other explanations for such incidents. Defective motorcycle parts can cause some crashes and the manufacturers of these parts can be held liable. If a motorcycle was faulty because it was not properly repaired, the maintenance company could then be responsible. If a problem in a roadway causes an accident, a government entity may be responsible.
Some of the injuries that motorcyclists could suffer include:
- Paraplegia
- Road Rash
- Quadriplegia
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Paralysis
- Neck Injury
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Amputation
- Burn Injury
- Eye Injury
- Organ Damage
- Back Injury
- Nerve Damage
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are frequently fatal. If your loved one passed away in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. Through this claim, you can recover compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, lost emotional support, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Motorcycle Accidents
If you are considering a motorcycle accident lawsuit, you may feel overwhelmed. Some answers to some common questions we hear are listed below, but you can also contact us at (301) 220-0050 for answers to any specific questions you may have.
What should I do if I was involved in a motorcycle accident in Washington, D.C.?
After any kind of motorcycle accident, you should always seek medical care. Even if you do not think that you were hurt, it is still wise to go to a hospital just to be safe. Remember that many injuries have delayed symptoms, and insurance companies will routinely use any delays in treatment to argue that the injuries either were not that serious or were not caused by that particular accident.
Try to take as many pictures as you can of your crash scene. Get photographs from many different distances and angles. Also, look for people who saw your accident and ask these individuals for their names and phone numbers. If you cannot take these steps yourself, see if a friend, family member, or co-worker can do it for you. Make sure that the first person you speak to about your accident is an attorney, not an insurance company.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for my motorcycle accident?
Unfortunately, no. While the Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act of 2016 gave pedestrians and cyclists the right to sue motorists for medical bills and property damage even when they are found to be up to 50 percent at fault for their accidents, motorcyclists are still subject to the defense of contributory negligence.
The District of Columbia is one of only five jurisdictions in the United States that still recognizes contributory negligence. Under this doctrine, if you are found to even be 1% at fault for your accident, you will be barred from recovering any compensation. Contributory negligence is the most common defense in all motor vehicle accident cases and the primary reason that people should avoid making recorded statements to any insurance company. Even an innocent comment about fault can ultimately sink a personal injury case.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for my motorcycle accident?
The District of Columbia typically provides three years from the date of a motorcycle accident for a person to file a legal claim. Certain exceptions do apply to the statute of limitations, however. For example, a motorcycle crash victim who is a minor can have their limitations period tolled (delayed) until they reach the age of majority, and they will then have three years to file after they turn 18 years of age. The District of Columbia can also toll the statute of limitations when a person is incapacitated or incarcerated, and the limitations period will begin running as soon as the person becomes cognizant or is released from custody.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) reported that there were 264 motorcycle crashes causing 189 injuries and two fatalities in 2015. 30% of crashes involved motorcyclists between the ages of 21 and 30, while 20% involved motorcyclists between 31 and 40, 15% between 41 and 50, and 15% unknown. DDOT also reported that 89.4% of motorcyclists involved in crashes were men. Of 330 motorcycle crashes in 2015, 113 were non-disabling, 70 were no injury, 50 involved a complaint but were not visible, 49 were unknown, 32 were disabling, 13 were classified as other, and three were fatal.
Alabama Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue was the intersection with the most motorcycle crashes in 2015 with four, followed by New York Avenue and Bladensburg Road with three. New Hampshire Avenue and 16th Street, Independence Avenue and 14th Street, 7th Street and F Street, Martin Luther King Avenue and Morris Road, 30th Street and Naylor Road, 24th Street and Wagner Street, Canal Road and Foxhall Road, Minnesota Avenue and Nash Place, Martin Luther King Avenue and W Street, 2nd Street and Portland Street, 22nd Street and Southern Avenue, 3rd Street and Rhode Island Avenue, Anacostia Avenue and Benning Road, and 3rd Street and K Street all had two.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Washington, D.C.
If you sustained catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed in a motorcycle crash in Washington, D.C. or a surrounding area, you deserve to have all of the many costs you are facing covered by the negligent party that caused the accident. Quickly contact an experienced Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer for help getting justice.
CHASENBOSCOLO has a record of success that includes $390,000 recovered for one motorcycle accident victim who suffered arm and leg injuries as well as $100,000 for a child injured as a passenger on a motorcycle. Call (301) 220-0050 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.
