Motorcycle Accidents

Jason McMinn and Justin McMinn have the experience needed to be your advocate in court or settlement proceedings. Our view is that the system provides opportunity for every motorcycle injury survivor to fight for their right to compensation when they are injured due to the gross negligence of another party. We believe in protecting Salt Lake City motorcyclists from businesses and individuals that have a disregard for safety.

Even where serious injuries occur as a result of another’s negligence, riding a motorcycle is often perceived as inherently dangerous and riders may be perceived as careless and reckless. Some juries may have bias against motorcyclists for bad actors’ bad behavior of speeding and darting in and out of driving lanes.

Motorcycle accident attorneys will collect and preserve all of the necessary evidence including witness statements, police reports, and medical records. We will consult with experts to support all of your claims.

With more than 15 years of serving local motorcycle accident claim victims, McMinn Law Firm attorneys understand juries in Salt Lake City County, Tooele County and surrounding areas.

Motorcycles & Automobiles Share the Road

Motorcyclist deaths occur 27 times more frequently than fatalities in other motor vehicles. Everyone must take part in ensuring safety for motorcycles out on the road by driving defensively and staying alert. While it’s the job of motorcyclists to be visible, it’s the job of all motorists to be aware of their surroundings and watch for motorcyclists.

Cars Cause the Majority of Motorcycle Accidents

When driving in Utah, it’s important for drivers of motor vehicles to always have an eye out for motorcyclists.

• Motorcycles can be closer than they appear. People who drive cars are used to objects of a larger size in their mirrors. Motorcycles appear much smaller and appear to be further away. A car can easily change lanes or make a left-hand turn into a motorcycle at an intersection or driveway.
• Drivers fail to check blind spots for motorcyclists. Drivers glance into their mirrors to change lanes and fail to see the motorcycle in their blind spot or change lanes, cut the motorcycle off often causing the rider to crash. And, although motorcycles have the ability to change lanes quickly it is the car driver’s responsibility to make sure the lane is safe to enter, not matter how quickly the situation changes.

There are many reasons why a car could hit a motorcycle, but the most common are mistakes in judgment made by the vehicle driver.

• Always check their blind spots!
• Take extra caution when pulling out before motorcyclists. Motorcycles may be closer than they appear – because of their size, your eyes might trick you. If you see a motorcycle heading down the road at a high speed, wait for them to pass before pulling out.
• Take extra caution when passing.
• Give extra room when driving behind a motorcyclist. Motorcyclists will react more quickly than other vehicles because they are so much smaller. Rear ending a motorcyclist could cost them their life.
• Increase your following distance at night.
• Stay in your lane. Weaving back and forth between traffic increases your chances of striking a motorcyclist.
• Communicate with motorcyclists and other drivers. It’s important to
• Intersections can be deadly. Intersections can leave dangerous blind spots. Always look both ways before entering an intersection.

Motorcycle Accident Injury Statistics

According to the Center for Disease Control the most common injuries in motorcycle accidents are head and neck (22%) and leg and foot (30%). Other common injuries are:

A motorcycle rider is generally more severely injured than a driver in a car of the same accident. There is almost no protection when riding a motorcycle. In Utah, as long as the motorcycle rider is 21 years of age, has taken a motorcycle safety course and has health insurance, in addition to motorcycle insurance, a helmet is not required.

• Whiplash
• Burns and Scars
• Neck and Spine Injuries
• Wrongful Death
• Knee Injuries
• Paralysis
• Permanent Disability

Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries

In serious accidents, the injured victim or their surviving family can be compensated for pain, suffering or wrongful death. There is no way to repair the damage to body and mind, but a settlement or jury award can go a long way in helping pay for time missed from work, medical expenses and future medical expenses or recuperative care. Our attorneys are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies, but if a settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court and pray for relief for your injury. More about damage caps in Utah.

In addition to the economic losses, an injury can impose on you and your family, you may also have a claim for Loss of Consortium. Due to the nature of injuries commonly afflicted upon motorcycle riders when they are in an accident, it is possible for your spouse to prove they have also been damaged. Loss of Consortium would include lack of intimacy and sexual relations, activities that would be lost in the case of paralysis, but possibly in other injuries to the lower part of the body.

If you or your family member has suffered a serious injury in a bike crash, our attorneys can work to ensure that you recover the compensation your family needs for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care needs. Our attorneys will fully assist your immediate and long-term financial needs to ensure that you recover the compensation you deserve.

We do not charge any fees unless we obtain compensation for your injuries. We also offer a free initial consultation. There are no obligations or costs to talk with a lawyer about your case.

Contact the McMinn Law Firm for experienced legal service from our Salt Lake City, Utah personal injury firm. We will come to visit you at your home or in the hospital.