MORGANTOWN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS

West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need the experienced personal injury and motorcycle accident lawyers at Slavey and Shumaker PLLC on your side. West Virginia’s Country Roads and interstates offer a great deal of freedom, twists and turns, and scenic mountain views to motorcycle riders. Unfortunately, these same freedoms can have devastating consequences if you are involved in a motorcycle accident. Slavey & Shumaker PLLC fights for and protects the rights of motorcycle injury victims in Morgantown and throughout the State of West Virginia. We will work to ensure you receive the financial compensation and peace of mind you deserve. Slavey & Shumaker PLLC never charges a fee in motorcycle accident cases unless your claim is successful, and we have experience litigating claims against each of the major insurance carriers.

Leading Reasons for Motorcycle Accidents

• Inexperienced riders

      Riding with a group of other motorcycle riders can be exciting and provide a sense of community, but when another rider is inexperienced and unprepared for potential hazards it can lead to a motorcycle accident.

• Speeding

     As previously mentioned, West Virginia offers motorcycle riders roads that can twist and turn through a forest or to the top of a mountain for a scenic view.  These types of road designs and roadside views can be devastating when combined with speeding.  When on a motorcycle, the chances of injury from an accident increase exponentially and every second to react counts.  Faster speeds, both for the motorcycle rider and other vehicles around them, mean less reaction time.

• Alcohol & drugs

     As with any other activity, alcohol and drug use significantly raises the chances of a motorcycle accident. Whether you are riding while impaired, another rider is impaired, or the driver of another vehicle around you is impaired, alcohol and drugs are one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents and injuries.

• Distractions (texting, talking on a cell phone, eating)

     By design motorcycles have lower profiles compared to most cars and trucks on the roadway, making motorcycles more difficult for many drivers to see.  This is especially true for those who aren’t paying close attention to their surroundings. An alarming number of motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers simply turning in front of motorcycles because they don’t see them or fail to properly look for oncoming motorcycles and vehicles before turning into oncoming traffic.

• Tractor-Trailers and Commercial Trucks

      Tractor-Trailers and Commercial Trucks are especially susceptible to overlooking or failing to observe a motorcycle traveling near it.  With the previously mentioned low profile of motorcycle and the height at which driver sit in Tractor-Trailers and Commercial Trucks, accidents are bound to happen.  Unfortunately, these types of motorcycle accidents are commonly the most devastating and lead to the greatest injuries or death.

• Weaving in and out of traffic

     Everyone is in a hurry. It seems as if everyone on the road has somewhere to be that cannot wait. This urgency leads to speeding and many times attempting to pass other vehicles without properly checking for other motorists. This is especially dangerous for motorcycle riders because of the lower profiles and chance that they may not be seen.  Weaving in and out of traffic without checking blind-spots for other motorists has been the cause of a number of devastating motorcycle accidents on West Virginia interstates and highways.

• Poor weather and road conditions

      West Virginia is known as Four Seasons Country.  Motorcycle accidents are bound to happen in the Spring when riders want to get out after a long winter and in the Fall when West Virginia’s changing leaves become the state’s main attraction.  These times of the year bring motorcycle riders to West Virginia from bordering states and beyond. Unfortunately, Spring also brings more than average rainfall and the Fall leaves can be dangerous when on the roadway, creating a greater chance for motorcycle accidents within West Virginia.

• Road Hazards

      The State of West Virginia and local governments have a duty to keep our roadways in good condition and free from hazards like potholes and loose asphalt or gravel, which can be dangerous for riders. As beautiful as West Virginia’s scenic views are and as exciting a ride on our backroads may be, the conditions of our roadways are equally as poor and can be a cause of motorcycle accidents in West Virginia

 

     In most motorcycle accidents, the point of impact is the front of the motorcycle which typically results in the most devastating, and in some cases fatal, injuries. Beyond the likelihood of injury, motorcycle accidents generally involve physical and emotional pain, expensive medical bills, lost wages and property damage as well. You may also be left wondering whether you will be able to complete day to day tasks or ever ride again. This anxiety and stress about the unknown can be compounded when the accident wasn’t your fault but was due to the negligence of another driver on the roadway.

     Slavey & Shumaker PLLC work diligently to identify all the elements in a motorcycle accident to determine who is at fault, or the degree to which different parties may be at fault, and ultimately, who is the financially responsible party. This investigation and determination can be complex, and it is common that the parties will disagree about who is responsible.  This is especially true if the accident involves various types of contributing factors, such as poor road conditions, driver negligence, road hazards, public/state vehicles, etc. These potential motorcycle accident complications make having experienced attorneys like those at Slavey & Shumaker PLLC on your side important.

Do I Need a Motorcycle Injury Lawyer?

Motorcycle accidents lead to a long road to recovery due to the enhanced risk of injury and in some cases are fatal. As a result, these injuries and losses are likely to take an emotional and financial toll on you and your family. In addition to medical bills, motorcycle accident claims can involve lost wages as well as pain and suffering from your injuries. Don’t travel this difficult road alone. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys aggressively represent the rights and interests of our clients and work to get the financial compensation they deserve.

How Slavey & Shumaker PLLC Fights for Motorcycle Accident Victims

The personal injury and motorcycle accident lawyers at Slavey & Shumaker PLLC negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive fair and maximum compensation. We investigate your motorcycle accident to prepare the strongest arguments and claims, and in some instances retain a private investigator or accident reconstructionist to build your case. We explain all your legal arguments and options, conduct a thorough investigation, and, if necessary, challenge the findings in the police officer’s investigation report.

In most motorcycle accident cases, the insurance company wants to pay out on the claim as soon as possible, which means they will likely offer a small amount to cover your initial expenses. The insurance company would rather the claim be resolved before it is known if you have long-term medical or disability issues, future expenses, etc. It is not in your best interest to agree to any settlement without talking to a lawyer. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Slavey & Shumaker PLLC routinely negotiate with all the major insurance companies. If the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement, we will pursue your case in court.