When you’ve shared Lexington streets and highways with other drivers for a while you might start to notice some common mistakes made by other drivers. Drivers in cars and trucks can be careless and distracted and totally miss your motorcycle right beside them.
Absentminded drivers overlook motorcyclists under the best conditions but add alcohol to that equation, and the chances of a driver under the influence forcing you into an accident multiply quickly.
Drunk Drivers on the Road Daily
Every day, 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. The CDC did the math and that works out to one death every 50 minutes.
Motorcyclists are always at higher risk of road hazards. Motorcycles can’t absorb collisions and protect riders from damage like a car or SUV can. A rider’s body takes a much bigger percentage of the impact. Drunk Drivers only increase the odds of getting into an encounter that can leave you with severe injuries.
Common Injuries in Accidents Involving DUI
You can sometimes get out of the way of a bad driver. As a motorcyclist, you’ve probably learned the signs of a driver about to veer over into your lane or turn in front of you. It’s almost predictable after a while and highly skilled riders can often avoid these situations.
However, drunk drivers often operate a vehicle in an unpredictable manner that even the most defensive motorist can’t predict. A sudden swerve or random turn can make an accident unavoidable. You can usually expect to be thrown from your bike. The injuries that result are becoming all too common to ER Doctors. The list of the worst outcomes can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Neck and back injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Burn injuries
- Internal organ damage
One study found that the age of the rider can affect what sort of injuries they can expect. For instance, for bikers 40 years old and older chest trauma involving the heart and lungs is more common than with younger riders. Multiple rib fractures are also more likely.
Damages Covered in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
The DUI suspect will be facing criminal charges in an accident he or she caused. They may also be held liable for injuries you suffered in that accident. They could be forced to pay you compensatory damages for your losses. You may be awarded:
- Actual Damages: These reimburse you for out of pocket expenses such as medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages or other income.
- General Damages: Payment for non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and loss of a partner, husband or wife in the accident.
- Punitive or Exemplary Damages: These apply in certain cases only. These damages are not designed to compensate the plaintiff for losses, but rather to punish the defendant for egregious, intentional, or particularly harmful conduct.
Contact a Lexington Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
DUI Accidents can be difficult to recover from both physically and emotionally. You’ll need the best medical treatment and support so that one day you can get back on your bike. You may have bills piling up for an accident you aren’t to blame for. You deserve to have those bills covered, but insurance companies may not see it that way.
Accident victims often wonder if they need an attorney, and the answer is almost always yes. The insurance company agents have years of experience and are good at their job which is to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. You need someone just as experienced to help you level the field.
Contact a Lexington Motorcycle Accident Attorney you can trust to be on your side and get you what is yours under the law. The attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, have that knowledge and a combined 100 years’ experience in helping clients get the results they deserve. To discuss your case, contact Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC today, by clicking here to contact them online.