fbpx skip to Main Content

Collecting Compensation for Broadside Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists, like anyone who operates a vehicle on public roads, are at risk of being involved in an accident with another driver. Unfortunately, any type of accident, even those that would qualify as minor fender benders when they occur between two vehicles, tend to have much more devastating consequences when a motorcycle is involved. This is especially true for motorcyclists who find themselves broadsided by a vehicle, as they do not enjoy the same protections as motorists whose vehicles are equipped with airbags and seat belts. Because the injuries sustained in these kinds of collisions tend to be severe, it is important for injured motorcyclists to seek damages from the at-fault party who caused their crash.

What are Broadside Accidents?

Broadside accidents, which are more commonly known as side impact crashes, or t-bone collisions, occur when a motorcycle is struck from the side by another car, usually when:

  • The motorist is trying to change lanes, but fails to check his or her blindspot for motorcyclists; or
  • A motorcycle is traveling through an intersection and is struck by a car that is traveling perpendicular to it.

In most cases, these kinds of collisions between motorcycles and vehicles are the result of one of the following:

  • A driver’s failure to properly yield to a motorcyclist with the right of way;
  • Distraction or inattention on the part of the driver who could drift into another lane, run a red light, or roll through a stop sign;
  • Driving under the influence;
  • Mechanical failure, including defective brakes; and
  • Poor visibility due to adverse weather conditions.

While these elements can also cause accidents between motorists, they tend to have much more serious repercussions for motorcyclists who are more likely to sustain serious injuries.

Recovering for Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Whatever the cause, broadside collisions typically result in severe injuries for the motorcyclist who must absorb the entirety of impact without the benefit of airbags or seat belts. For these reasons, motorcyclists are much more likely to suffer from lower limb injuries like bone fractures in the legs and hips, but are also at a higher risk of sustaining spinal cord injuries and injuries to the lower internal organs. Broadside collisions between vehicles and motorcyclists also almost always result in the motorcyclist being ejected from his or her vehicle, which also opens these individuals up to injuries, such as lacerations, abrasions, road rash, and traumatic brain injuries.

Treating these types of serious injuries is both difficult and expensive. Fortunately, those who are injured in collisions as a result of someone else’s negligent conduct could be entitled to recovery, compensating them for not only their medical bills, but also lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Reach Out to Our Halifax County Legal Team Today

If you were injured in a broadside motorcycle accident, you may be unsure of what to do next. To learn more about your legal options following this type of collision, please contact dedicated Halifax County motorcycle accident attorney Herbert E. Maxey, Jr. You can reach us at 434-969-4873, or via online message.

 

Back To Top