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Bismarck Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyers
Fighting for those injured in motorcycle accidents throughout North Dakota
A motorcyclist rides on a fast machine with little protection from the elements, the road, or from other motorists who are most often not looking out for them. Motorcyclists love the freedom they feel when they are driving down the road, feeling the wind and the rumble of a powerful machine beneath them. Placing the enjoyment of riding to one side, motorcyclists are forced to be vigilant about their safety and their surroundings because their lives depend on it. In the event of a collision with a motor vehicle, the motorcycle rider has nothing to protect his or her body and can suffer devastating injuries.
If you or someone you care about has sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, the dependable Bismarck motorcycle accident lawyers at the Larson Law Firm are prepared to represent you in your pursuit of compensation for your injuries and other losses. You are welcome to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
How can we help?
- North Dakota’s motorcycle helmet law and comparative fault
- Motorcycle safety involves both motorists and motorcyclists
- Examples of motorcycle accident injuries
- How can a Bismarck motorcycle accident lawyer help my case?
- What compensation is available for a motorcycle accident injury claim?
- What if I can't afford to hire a lawyer to represent my injury claim?
North Dakota’s motorcycle helmet law and comparative fault
North Dakota has a helmet law which protects people under age 18 who ride or operate a motorcycle. If the operator of the motorcycle is required to wear a helmet, any passenger regardless of age must also wear a helmet. ND Century Code 39.10.2-06.
North Dakota does not have a "universal" helmet law, which would require all motorcycle riders to wear a DOT compliant helmet as 19 other states and the District of Columbia do, so motorcyclists are free to wear a helmet or not wear one. However, given that ND follows a comparative fault rule in personal injury cases, where if the injured person has any share in causing his or her own injuries, recovery will be reduced by a percentage that equals the injured person's portion of the fault.
Free Case Evaluation
Call 701-484-4878 now or fill out the form above to receive a free confidential consultation.
Motorcycle safety involves both motorists and motorcyclists
The National Safety Council (NSC) says that motorcycle safety is a two-way street. Given that most of the vehicles on the road are not motorcycles, most drivers don't give much thought to them. The NHTSA said, "When motorcycles and other vehicles collide, it is usually the other (non-motorcycle) driver who violates the motorcyclist's right of way. There is a continuing need to help other motorists 'think' motorcycles and to educate motorcyclists to be aware of this problem." And then the NSC article listed the following reasons drivers often violate motorcyclists right of way:
- Motorcycles are relatively small, and drivers don't see them
- Drivers don't anticipate motorcycles' movements
- The driver's view of the motorcyclist is obstructed, often by the vehicle's blind spots or other vehicles
- The driver is distracted
The NSC emphasizes the need for improved driver education to raise awareness about these issues, along with the need for riders to continue to both perfect their skills and wear the protective gear that will keep them safer on the road. The NHTSA survey of helmet use in 2017 found that the use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets was about 65.2%, which is not statistically different than the previous year. Helmet use was found to be significantly higher in states with universal helmet laws, and helmet use on expressways increased to 88.9%, which was up from 69.8% the previous year. The NSC estimates that helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries for operators and 41% for passengers.
Examples of motorcycle accident injuries
Because motorcyclists’ bodies are unprotected, when they are involved in a motor vehicle accident, the injuries tend to be severe when they survive, and some result in the death of the rider. Examples of motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Fractures and broken bones from the impact of the motor vehicle or the roadway
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that can be the result of not wearing a DOT-compliant helmet
- Back and neck injuries
- Limb loss/amputations
- Hand and wrist injuries
- Road rash, cuts, and lacerations which occur when the inadequately protected body skids on pavement
- Spinal cord injury/paralysis
- Burn injuries
- Death
How can a Bismarck motorcycle accident lawyer help my case?
While it might seem abundantly obvious that the pickup truck slamming into your motorcycle in an intersection was the cause of your serious injury, before you can recover compensation for your injuries and other losses, you must prove your case. An experienced Bismarck motorcycle accident lawyer will be there to present your case. They look at the photographs, interview witnesses, reconstruct the collision, gather evidence, and develop an effective legal strategy to win the case and recover compensation for you. Whether your case is settled with the insurance companies, or if it goes to court, you can feel confident when you have a dedicated attorney fighting for your interests.
What compensation is available for a motorcycle accident injury claim?
After a motorcycle accident, you will be facing many different types of losses stemming from the accident. When you pursue compensation from the motorist who caused the crash, you may be able to recover the following damages depending on the facts of your case including:
- Lost income from the time in the hospital, rehabilitation, recuperating at home
- Diminished earning capacity for injuries that prevent you from doing your job
- Medical expenses from hospitalization to physical therapy in the past, present, and future related to the accident injury
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress from the trauma of the incident
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (for the spouse of the injured person)
- Wrongful death for those who have lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle crash
Your dedicated Bismarck motorcycle accident injury attorney is here to take on the legal burden and relieve the stress of worrying about how the medical bills will get paid.
What if I can't afford to hire a lawyer to represent my injury claim?
After sustaining a serious injury which requires medical treatment and possibly hospitalization and lost time at work, you may wonder how you are going to be able to afford to hire a reliable Bismarck motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you as you seek compensation. Fortunately, you do not need to worry about how you will pay for legal assistance because at the Larson Law Firm we accept injury cases on contingency. This means that you do not pay us attorney fees until we have recovered compensation for you.
You focus on getting better and getting back to your life while we focus on recovering compensation for you.
Related Content
- North Dakota’s Motorized Scooter and Electric Bicycle Laws
- Get to Know the North Dakota Motorcycle Laws for Your Safety and Protection
- Sturgis Rally Increases Awareness About Motorcycle Accidents
Schedule a free consultation with a trusted North Dakota motorcycle accident lawyer today
After a serious motorcycle crash, your mind is likely to be brimming with questions about how you are going to pay the medical bills that are piling up when you can’t work because of your injury. At the Larson Law Firm P.C., we are here to represent you. You are welcome to fill out our contact form or call us at 701-484-4878 to schedule a free initial consultation. From our office in Bismarck, we represent clients throughout Ward, Williams, McKenzie, Pierce, and Mountrail Counties. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you and your family after a devastating motorcycle accident.
Types of Cases We Handle
Our Bismarck attorneys handle a variety of cases, including:
| Personal Injury | Car Accidents | Trucking Accidents |
| Motorcycle Accident | Product Liability | Premises Liability |
| Medical Malpractice | Nursing Home Negligence | Workplace Injury |
| Burn Injury | Dog Bites |
Bizmarck Office Location
Larson Law Firm P.C.
1022 E. Divide Ave.
Suite E
Bismarck, ND 58501