Maine Motorcycle Accident FAQ

Motorcycle enthusiasts will tell you there is nothing like the feeling of freedom you get from riding a motorcycle. However, with this joy comes inherent risks. An estimated 148,000 motorcyclists have died in traffic crashes since 1966.

Q: What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

A: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash and 9 times more likely to be injured.

• In 2008, 5,290 motorcyclists were killed and 96,000 motorcyclists were injured which is equal to a staggering 14% of the total traffic fatalities, 17% of all occupant fatalities, and 4% of all occupants injured.
  • Of those killed, almost 50% were from collisions with another type of motor vehicle.
    • In 41% of these crashes the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle.
    • In 28% of the collisions, both vehicles were going straight
• Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in a fatal collision with a fixed object than are other vehicles.
  • In 2008, 25% of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with fixed objects, compared to 19% for passenger cars, 14% for light trucks, and 4% for large trucks.
• Intersections are the most likely location for motorcycle accidents.
• Motorcycle operators between the ages of 16 and 24 are more likely to be involved in an accident.
• Almost half of fatal motorcycle accidents are alcohol-related.
• A typical motorcycle accident allows the motorcyclist less than two seconds to complete a collision avoiding action.

Q: What happens if the crash involves only a Single-Vehicle Motorcycle?

A: Approximately one quarter of all motorcycle crashes are single-vehicle motorcycle accidents. Bikers who are involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident should never automatically assume that they have no recourse for compensation simply because another vehicle might not have been involved in the accident. Furthermore, a motorcyclist's insurance company may attempt to avoid paying full coverage for damages and injury since another vehicle was not directly involved. This is where the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers of Hardy, Wolf & Downing become necessary. In the State of Maine, contact between vehicles is NOT required to find fault. So when a car cuts you off and you swerve to avoid it, inadvertently hitting a telephone pole, you may be entitled to compensation for your motorcycle injury. You need an attorney who knows motorcycles and the laws in Maine to help protect your interests.

The attorneys of Hardy, Wolf & Downing have the expertise and experience to handle any motorcycle accident case no matter how complex. To speak with a motorcycle accident injury lawyer about your case, contact the Maine law firm of Hardy, Wolf & Downing today.

Causes of Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents

During the last decade, more than 10,000 people were killed and more than 250,000 people were injured in single-vehicle motorcycle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 40% of serious motorcycle accidents reported abrupt braking and steering maneuvers immediately prior to the accident. These findings suggest that a number of the single-vehicle motorcycle accidents can be traced back to the interaction of the motorcycle with another hazard on the roadway – a reckless driver, road hazards that should have been repaired or removed, or even a child's toy out in front of your bike.

Along with skilled accident reconstruction experts, an experienced motorcycle accident injury lawyer from Hardy, Wolf & Downing will diligently work to locate the responsible party or parties involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident and obtain compensation for the rider or the rider's loved ones.

Q: What if I Had Defective Equipment?

A: In motorcycle crashes caused by a defective product, the rider may have no idea why the accident occurred. Despite precautions and safety measure a motorcyclist may take, a bike can fail to work correctly and serious injuries can occur.

• Turn signals not working
• Faulty brakes and brake lights
• Tire blowouts
• Faulty headlights
• Bad wiring and fuel lines

When you take precautions to ensure your safety and are injured by a poorly manufactured product, contact the motorcycle personal injury specialists at Hardy, Wolf & Downing for effective representation.

Q: I don't know what happened? How can I prove anything?

A: A motorcycle accident happens suddenly. Victims may have only a very brief perspective of the accident's cause, if they have any recollection at all. In some cases, the cause of a single-vehicle motorcycle accident can be even more difficult to determine because the rider is the only person present at the scene. Quite often, injury victims in motorcycle accidents accept low settlements or receive no compensation at all because they do not or cannot identify the cause of the accident. The professional motorcycle accident injury attorneys at Hardy, Wolf & Downing, who cover Portland, Lewiston and all of Southern and Central Maine areas, utilize their 35 years of experience in accident reconstruction to identify its cause, and will seek full compensation for victims based on the investigation's findings.

Q: Why Call Hardy, Wolf & Downing, Maine's Motorcycle Accident Lawyers?

A: Motorcycle injury cases are usually very complex. Accident victims require the counsel of lawyers who are experienced in dealing with the bias that bikers often face from law enforcement officers investigating the accident, insurance adjusters, and juries. A motorcycle injury lawyer from the Maine law firm of Hardy, Wolf & Downing will aggressively defend your rights as a motorcyclist and fight for compensation for your injuries. Contact Hardy, Wolf & Downing for a case review today.

Contact our Maine personal injury lawyers today to schedule a consultation.