Motorcycle / Scooter Accident

According to British Columbia Collision Statistics from ICBC, between 2003 and 2007, the number of licensed motorcycles increased by 35% while the number of private passenger vehicles increased by only 7%. In 2012, there were 2,100 accidents involving motorcycles, 24 of which were fatal to the motorcyclist, according to the ICBC.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycles and scooters are smaller and less visible than ordinary vehicles. Their drivers also have little to no protection. Scooters have the added disadvantage of being much less powerful than other vehicles on the road, and their movements could be out of sync with the speed and movements made by other vehicles. As a result, otherwise minor accidents can result in very serious personal injuries. If ICBC denies liability in a motorcycle accident case, it will often be necessary to retain an engineer with special expertise in motorcycle ICBC claims. Such a case would involve an analysis of vehicle damage, evidence from the accident scene, analysis of the motorcycle rider’s expertise, training, and reactions as the accident was occurring.

Motorcyclists are unfortunately at very high risk of experiencing an accident while on the road. There are some motorcyclists who drive recklessly, not taking into account hazardous weather conditions. For the most part, however, motorcyclists are responsible while on the road, and a car driver is more likely to be the one at fault in a motorcycle-car collision. Many car drivers are not that familiar with the movement of motorcycles and do not know how to anticipate how motorcycles stop, turn, accelerate, etc. In addition, the relatively compact size of motorcycles means they tend to inadvertently hide in the blind spots of cars without either driver realizing it.

How Can Motorcycle Drivers Protect Themselves?

Responsible motorcycle drivers can take certain steps to make themselves more conspicuous, and therefore less likely to be hit by an inattentive driver. Wearing brightly colored and reflective clothing and using headlights during the day will draw attention to your presence. Helmets make accidents far less likely to result in fatality. One study showed that wearing a motorcycle helmet lowers the risk of fatal injuries by 30 percent and lowers the risk of injury to the brain by nearly 70 percent.

What Damages Can I Collect in a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

After a motorcycle or scooter accident, a person can be left with large financial burdens and ongoing medical issues. In your motorcycle accident claim with ICBC or any other insurance provider, you may be eligible for damages, including but not limited to:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages, including future earnings
• Rehabilitation
• Loss of benefits
• Pain and suffering

It is important that you do not accept a settlement before you have an experienced lawyer assess your situation. You may be eligible for more than you think.

Vancouver Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

When a motorcycle accident occurs, insurance companies may be inclined to blame the motorcyclist because they believe all drivers of motorcycles to be reckless. Experienced motorcycle accident lawyer Bruce Lemer can analyze all the variables involved, develop necessary evidence and retain top experts. It is beneficial to retain an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer promptly so that the evidence can be preserved and that your rights are protected when dealing with the ICBC.

Contact the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Lemer & Company Litigation Counsel – 604-642-6363.