Indiana Attorneys Take on Serious and Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
Crown Point law firm pursues justice for injured riders
While motorcycles provide enjoyment and convenient transportation, a serious motorcycle accident can irreparably harm a rider or passenger. If you endured a disabling accident or a loved one suffered a fatal crash, Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC provides the same level of dedicated service to you that we would wish for ourselves and our loved ones. For more than 30 years, our firm has fought for full, fair compensation for victims of motorcycle accidents.
Defective products in motorcycle crash cases
Although motorcycle accidents usually result from negligent driving, it’s possible that a product defect caused the crash or worsened the victim’s injuries. Potentially dangerous defects include:
- The motorcycle itself — As with cars, motorcycles can sometimes be defective in design or manufacture. Defective parts, especially the brakes, can lead to terrible consequences. It’s also possible that as technology develops, a manufacturer’s refusal to include certain safety features, such as airbags to guard against head-on collisions, makes it liable for selling a dangerous product. As a further example, studies have shown that anti-lock brakes reduce fatal motorcycle crashes by 37 percent, yet manufacturers have resisted making them standard equipment.
- The rider’s protective equipment — The focus of campaigns for motorcycle safety has been on developing standards for protective equipment, especially helmets, and making them mandatory. Alabama was one of the earliest states to act, passing a universal helmet law in 1967. DOT-approved helmets must meet certain standards required by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- The vehicle that struck the motorcycle — Usually, when a car hits a motorcycle, either the driver or the biker has been negligent. But if a driver cannot control a car because of a defect, and the car hits a motorcyclist, the manufacturer who produced the defect is responsible to the motorcyclist.
- The roadway — A negligently maintained road with ruts, potholes, metal surfaces or loose gravel can be hazardous to motorcycle riders.
As your personal injury attorneys, we thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident to hold any responsible parties accountable.
Serious injuries requiring long-term medical care
Because motorcyclists’ bodies are so exposed, their injuries tend to be severe. Many riders suffer spine and neck trauma, and even helmeted riders can incur traumatic brain injuries. Marshall P. Whalley & Associates understands that you’ll rely on any compensation we recover for you during the long recovery period ahead.
Contact our accident lawyers regarding motorcycle crash injuries and wrongful death
Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC is fully committed to building a case that maximizes the potential for your recovery. For a free consultation and case evaluation, call 219.769.2900 or contact our Crown Point office online.
