Maine has a large community of motorcycle enthusiasts. Miles of almost empty roads winding through the beautiful wilderness make fantastic day trips.
Despite how popular of a pastime biking is in Auburn, it is also an extremely dangerous one—countless motorcycle accidents happen in this state every year. Because riders are offered little protection from their bikes, a collision could leave them with severe injuries and costly medical bills. If someone else’s careless or reckless actions caused your motorbike crash, the responsible party could be liable to pay your damages.
Because of how serious these accidents can be, it is vital to contact an experienced local attorney as soon as possible. This may be your only opportunity to recover the compensation you need to make things right. An Auburn motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm could help you prepare your claim and submit it to the at-fault party’s insurer. If the insurer does not propose an adequate settlement, we are ready to take the matter to court. Contact Gideon Asen, LLC, today to get started.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcyclists often suffer severe harm in crashes, especially if they were traveling at high speeds when the accident ensued. Motorcyclists that survive a wreck are often left with permanent, life-altering harm. An Auburn attorney represents people who sustained the following injuries in motorcycle crashes:
- Deep lacerations and friction burns (road rash)
- Severe injuries to the lower leg, including complex fractures and traumatic amputations
- Neck and shoulder injuries, including dislocations and whiplash
- Abdominal injuries, including damage to the liver and kidneys
- Thoracic injuries, including rib fractures and punctured lungs
- Significant facial lacerations, including disfiguring injuries such as loss of a facial feature
- Skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Survivors of motorcycle wrecks may also experience mental health issues, such as PTSD, after an accident.
Maine Revised Statute Title 29A, §2083 requires inexperienced riders to wear a helmet, which is proven to reduce fatal injuries and the severity of head injuries. The law does not apply to riders older than 18 who have held a driver’s license for at least one year, and such riders may choose to go without a helmet.
An Auburn attorney can help injured parties document all their injury-related expenses and the impact the crash has had on them. From there, legal counsel can use this information to develop comprehensive claims for damages.
Damages in an Auburn Motorcycle Accident Case
The responsible party in a motorcycle accident case is liable for all of the injured biker’s economic and non-economic losses. The motorcyclist must prove their losses with documentary evidence, testimony, photographs, and video when appropriate.
Economic damages are expenses with a fixed value or a value that could be estimated. Economic damages reimburse medical costs, property damage, incidental expenses, lost income, and similar costs. If the biker cannot return to work, economic damages could cover their diminished earning capacity.
As an Auburn attorney can further explain, non-economic damages acknowledge the effects that the accident and injuries have had on the biker’s life. A motorcyclist could receive non-economic damages for their physical pain, emotional suffering, disability, scarring, and other subjective results of the accident.
A Biker’s Negligence Could Impact Their Damages
A motorcyclist could bring a claim against a negligent driver, but the biker’s own conduct could become an issue. If the motorcyclist was speeding, lane splitting, riding in unsafe conditions, or engaging in unsafe or reckless behavior, they might be held partially responsible for the accident.
An injured person can collect damages under Maine’s comparative negligence law. However, a court or insurance company will reduce the amount they collect by a percentage equal to the biker’s share of the blame for the incident. If the biker is more than 49 percent responsible for the accident, they cannot collect any damages.
A biker who suffered a head injury while not wearing a helmet might find an insurance company reluctant to pay for the injury, citing comparative negligence. An Auburn attorney can push back against any assumption that choosing not to wear a helmet is negligent and ensure the biker does not carry an unfair portion of the blame.
Get Help from an Auburn Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accident injuries are often devastating. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may require costly treatments and extended periods of downtime to regain your health. An Auburn motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm can develop a strong case for damages while you recover.
You do not have to face legal action alone. Call Gideon Asen, LLC, today to speak with a seasoned attorney.
