Advice from a Toronto Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accidents. You hear about them in the news all too often, but you never think it will happen to you. After all, you’re a safe, experienced rider, right? Unfortunately, you still have a 1 in 770 chance of being involved in an accident no matter how careful you are. An Ontario motorcycle accident lawyer will tell you that there are many factors that contribute to accidents, and your odds of winning compensation for your injuries depends on the circumstances surrounding your case.
Canadian Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Due to the way they’re built and the difficulty other drivers sometimes have seeing them, motorcycles are 13.5 times more likely to be involved in a traffic fatality than motorized vehicles. What’s more, 50 percent of motorcycle-involved accidents occurred with riders who have less than five months of on the road experience. Of deaths recorded between 2008 – 2014, 25% of them involved alcohol and excessive speed contributed to 12 percent of fatalities.
An experienced Ontario motorcycle accident lawyer would advise you that proper safety training and gear will reduce the odds of becoming a statistic by a large margin.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Taking your bike out on the open road imparts a sense of freedom and even a little daring. While taking proper precautions will reduce the chances of death or serious injury, reckless behavior isn’t the only cause of collisions. A lot of road safety is a matter of being observant and agile. As a rider, you should always be on the lookout for that car turning left ahead of you, drivers changing lanes who may not see you, and blind turns or gravel.
The majority of motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle, usually a car or truck. If you’re speeding, not wearing a helmet, or using alcohol, these collisions are often fatal.
Then, there are the hazards that you can’t see or react to on time, such as a car hitting you from behind or suddenly hitting you with their door. Try to use a single car as a buffer when you’re stopped. You can politely wave to the drive and maneuver ahead. That way, any rear impact from another driver failing to stop on time will be reduced. You can avoid a sudden impact from a driver emerging from a parked car by avoiding the space between an active lane of traffic and a parallel parking zone.
You’ve Been Injured, Now What?
Despite your best efforts, not all accidents can be avoided. If you can respond in time to limit the impact, you can reduce your chances of death or serious injury. The most common injuries are to the head and spinal cord, followed by fractures, road rash, and amputations.
Whatever the extent of the damage, there are several steps to take if you’ve been involved in an accident.
In the immediate aftermath of an accident:
- Move to a safe place off the road
- Evaluate yourself and others for injuries
- Call 9-1-1 for emergency response
- Exchange insurance and contact information with other driver(s) involved
- Remain calm and wait for help to arrive
- Get treatment for your injuries
If your injuries are severe or your recovery will be long, you may need the advice of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Toronto. Don’t take the first offer given to you by the insurance company. The extent of many injuries, especially to the spine or head, may not be apparent at first.
Once you’ve found a practicing motorcycle accident lawyer, turn over any future correspondence to him or her, and refer any calls to their office. For your case, you’ll need to gather any copies of the accident report, witness statements, medical bills and reports, and proof of time missed from work and living expenses. Your lawyer will handle things from there. Just make sure that you do everything your lawyer advises, keep any appointments with legal or medical professionals.
Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Toronto
According to data from the Toronto Police Public Safety Data Portal, motorcycle accidents have been on an upward trend over the past decade. If you’ve been injured or a loved one has died as a result of an accident, a Toronto motorcycle accident lawyer can make sure that your rights are protected. You can also get compensation for property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, or wrongful death.
