Barrie Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycles represent less than five percent of the motor vehicles registered in the entire country, and Ontarians have only a few months each year to fully enjoy being out on their bike. Yet each year, Ontario, as well as the rest of the country, sees tens of thousands of motorcycle accidents, with many of those ending in fatalities.
The injuries resulting from those accidents can be some of the most severe, and if the accident was due to someone else’s negligence, victims may be able to seek compensation. In Barrie, there are two different types of legal claims that can be filed and the processes for this can be complex. Victims should seek the help of a Barrie motorcycle accident lawyer right away. A skilled accident lawyer can help their client pursue a claim for compensation.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle accidents will happen in intersections, and this is for a number of reasons.
The first is that the most common cause of motorcycle accidents in Barrie is when other drivers are making left-hand turns and a motorcyclist is trying to go straight through the intersection. Because motorcycles are so much smaller than passenger vehicles, other drivers simply do not see the motorcycle and so, turn into it.
Other causes of motorcycle accidents that Barrie motorcycle acccident lawyers see frequently are:
- Improper lane changes, both on the part of motorcycles and other drivers that do not see them
- Head-on collisions when drivers are passing each other and do not see an approaching motorcycle
- Malfunctioning or defective parts on the motorcycle or other vehicle involved
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycles are not equipped with the heavy and sturdy frames of passenger vehicles. The most protection motorcyclists have is their helmet and very little pieces of safety gear.
Because of this, when motorcycles are involved in an accident in Barrie, the resulting injuries can be some of the most severe. The most common include:
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back and spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Pelvic damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Burn injuries
- Road rash
- Emotional trauma
Accident Benefits Claim vs. Tort Claim
There are two types of claims victims may be able to file after being injured in a motorcycle accident. The first is an Accident Benefits claim. This is coverage that every insurance policy in Ontario is required to have and it will provide compensation to the driver, passengers, and pedestrians involved in a motorcycle accident, regardless of fault.
This is what is known as no-fault insurance in Ontario and while it will likely provide some compensation, that is not always the case. When Accident Benefits cannot or will not compensate for all medical expenses and other financial losses, a tort claim may be made.
A tort claim is a private personal injury lawsuit. These may be filed by individuals that have been in a motorcycle accident and the accident was due to the fault or negligence of someone else. Under tort claims, victims may seek compensation for financial losses, as well as pain and suffering that are not compensated through the accident benefits system.
After a motorcycle accident, some victims speak to the insurance company before speaking to a Barrie motorcycle accident lawyer. This is a mistake, as the insurance companies will always try to settle for the lowest amount possible, and that amount may not be fair to the victim.
Contacting a Barrie Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
These injuries can not only stay with a person for the rest of their life, they can also be very costly to treat.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, and you believe it was due to the fault or negligence of someone else, contact a Barrie motorcycle accident lawyer today that can help.
