Motorcyclists may want to get out of the city and escape it all with a long ride, but unfortunately, no traveler can escape distracted and careless drivers. They are everywhere you go. A single mistake by a speeding driver can land a rider in a frightening spot. What’s worse, in a rear-end collision a motorcyclist may not even see the threat coming and have a chance to get out of the way.
If you are ever the victim of a careless driver and seriously injured, please contact the attorneys with CCD Law. We defend motorcycle accident victims in Spokane and across Northern Idaho. When insurance companies decide to unfairly blame a rider for the mistake of another motorist, we want to be there to protect the rights of the victim. Contact us for a free consultation on your case.
Coeur d’Alene Motorcyclist Rear-End Accident Dangers
Motorcyclists in Coeur d’Alene can open it up on Interstate 90 for a mountain ride or maybe cruise the curvy Highway 97 for the lake views. The choices are all pretty good in this part of Idaho.
Idaho does see its share of tragic motorcycle accidents each year. In 2017, the Idaho Transporation Department reported 26 lives lost in motorcycle collisions with another 492 riders reported injured.
The same hazards that force riders into crashes anywhere they go are present in Idaho as well. Distracted drivers can still swear that they couldn’t see the motorcycle they hit until it was too late. That can include a motorcycle fully lit and right in front of them. That’s what apparently happens in rear-end accidents.
A rider can be stopped or coming to a stop and a driver in a car not paying attention can fail to see the motorcycle in front of them and never hit the brakes. Experts believe careless drivers see the single tail light of a motorcycle and may have trouble gauging their distance when they are used to seeing the multiple tail lights of a car. Of course, these tragic accidents can be easily avoided if drivers would pay more attention to the road.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
A motorcyclist struck from behind can be at risk for so many different types of injuries. The rider can be propelled forward and off the bike. The victim can be knocked over with the bike. The rider can even end up on the hood of the vehicle in some cases. The damage and injuries will be determined by the speed of the offending driver and if the cyclist is at a stop or moving at the time.
The consequences can be severe no matter the circumstances. Here is a list of some of the most common outcomes treated in Idaho Emergency Rooms:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Ruptured or Injured Internal Organs
- Broken Arms/Legs
- Wrist Fractures
- Severe Road Rash
The chest cavity is especially vulnerable in a collision. Powerful compression of the chest can break ribs and cause immediate breathing problems. The heart is always at risk in a severe impact. An impact taken in the back of a motorcyclist can also damage kidneys.
Insurance Bad Faith and Low Ball Offers In Motorcycle Accidents
Unfortunately, when dealing with the insurance company of the driver who hit you, or even your own insurance company, your well-being is not always their first concern.
Insurance agents can attempt to chip away at your case hoping to reduce the amount they have to pay out. They may try to blame you for the accident, or they may simply just try to make you sweat for a while so you’ll accept any offer.
Here are a few of their strategies in accident claims:
- Take their time investigating or even looking over a claim.
- Denying a rightful claim hoping you won’t fight back.
- Making you a low ball settlement offer hoping you don’t know it’s unfair.
- Delaying payment to injured victims.
- Using a questionable interpretation of their terms of a policy to deny compensation.
- Refusal to settle a claim in the hopes you’ll be afraid to take them to court.
Contact an Idaho Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The good news is an attorney fighting on your side after a motorcycle accident can help you beat all of the ploys insurance companies like to use on riders. You didn’t cause your accident and you shouldn’t have to pay a cent of the hospital bills and other expenses that you face.
Established in Spokane in 1948, Crary & Domanico, P.S. is licensed and practices in both Washington and Idaho. We are committed to providing our clients with the absolute highest quality legal representation.
If our Coeur d’Alene Motorcycle Accident Attorneys represent you for your accident case, you have our assurance that we will use our absolute best efforts to win your case. Contact us after any accident resulting in a serious injury for a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation. We will only offer you advice which is in your best interest.
