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Lebanon Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Many people love motorcycles for the sense of freedom and liberation while riding, the thrilling and adrenaline-inducing experience, and the maneuverability bikes offer. Motorcyclists also provide a community for those in clubs or participating in group rides for enjoyment or benefitting a charity.

However, bikers are highly vulnerable to severe or fatal injuries when crashes occur, and the number of negligent motorists on roadways puts them at risk. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney at AW Smith Law Firm could help you sue for compensation when a reckless driver caused you harm. Call a Lebanon motorcycle accident lawyer today to learn more.

Primary Causes of Crashes

The primary factors that contribute to motorcycle crashes include:

  • Motorists failing to yield to bikers when making left turns and in intersections
  • Drivers failing to see motorcycles before maneuvering due to their small, narrow size
  • Poor weather causes wet and slippery roads and other hazardous conditions
  • Distracted drivers puts bikers at high risk due to reduced awareness of their surroundings
  • Dooring collisions caused by motorists or passengers swinging car doors open into the path of an approaching motorcycle
  • Intoxicated drivers who cannot react in time to avoid hitting a motorcyclist
  • Speeding and reckless driving practices, which increase the risk of losing control of vehicles
  • Inexperienced bikers and motorists who make errors and collide with other vehicles

Motorcyclists can help improve safety by practicing safe riding, complying with the road rules, and wearing the appropriate safety gear. A seasoned Lebanon motorcycle crash attorney at AW Smith Law Firm, P.C. will investigate the cause and liable party, gather the crucial evidence needed to prove liability, and collect a just settlement.

Helmets and Safety Gear

Motorcycle helmets protect your head when crashes occur and significantly reduce the risk of sustained catastrophic or fatal head injuries. They absorb the forceful impact and minimize the potential for skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries.

Countless studies have returned clear and convincing evidence that helmets are the most effective way for bikers to protect themselves on the road. While the state highly suggests that every biker wear an approved helmet, eye protection, and other safety gear, people who belong to at least one of the following two groups are required to wear helmets.

Age Restriction

Every operator and passenger under 26 must wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmet. Riders over 26 must carry auto insurance, stating the policy will cover injuries if they do not wear helmets.

Operator Experience

Operators with a motorcycle learner permit must wear head safety gear that meets DOT safety standards. The equipment must also have no apparent flaws and be the appropriate size to fit the biker’s head, as laws require.

Additional Safety Gear

Other safety gear for motorcycle operators and passengers includes undamaged eye and face protection, which fastens securely without restricting air or room for glasses if applicable. Sturdy pants, jackets, boots, and gloves protect bikers from accidents.  During your free consultation with AW Smith Law Firm, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Lebanon can answer your questions about state traffic laws and the civil court process to collect monetary damages.

Contact a Qualified Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Lebanon

Motorcycle enthusiasts nationwide enjoy getting out to ride whenever the weather permits. Among many other things, they love the freedom of the open roadway that driving cars does not provide. However, bikes lack the same protection other vehicles offer, and you are at substantially increased risk of life-altering injuries with devastating consequences.

Negligent drivers also increase the risk of bikers suffering harm in avoidable crashes. If you were in a collision with a careless driver, you must hold them legally and financially accountable. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with a skilled Lebanon motorcycle accident lawyer to review your case and options.