Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
We Help Injured Bikers Get the Compensation They Deserve
Motorcyclists love being out on the road. But all bikers know there are risks. No matter how safely they drive, a negligent car or truck driver can cause a crash that leaves them seriously hurt. The Omaha motorcycle accident attorneys at Ausman Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O. help the injured recover maximum financial compensation for their injuries in Omaha and throughout Nebraska and Iowa.
A motorcycle accident can leave you with injuries that require extensive treatment. Medical bills can add up fast. You may be unable to work because of your injury and lose income. Insurance companies are supposed to help after a motorcycle accident. But many injured motorcyclists find insurance companies aren't on their side.
There is a stereotype of motorcyclists, especially among insurance companies. Some people think motorcyclists are reckless and irresponsible. If there's an accident, they think the biker must have been doing something wrong. But most bikers are responsible and conscious of motorcycle safety.
Motorcycle accidents usually happen because of a simple fact. Many drivers don't see motorcyclists. They look out for other cars or trucks, but consider motorcycles a nuisance and barely notice them. Sooner or later, this leads to a crash.
How did your accident happen?
- Car Turned In Front Of Motorcycle
- Rear-Ended By Car
- Forced Off Road
- Hit By Distracted Driver
- Hit By a Car Door
- Road Hazard
- Fatal Motorcycle Accident
Injuries involving motorcycles tend to be more severe than those seen in car accidents. Unlike drivers of cars, who are in an enclosed vehicle, motorcyclists don't have any kind of protection around them. The risk of injury in an accident is much higher.
Motorcyclists can take some measures to protect themselves. For example, wearing a helmet, long-sleeved shirt, gloves and denim or leather pants. But when struck by a car or truck, injuries are likely in motorcycle accidents. And if you don't know what to do after a motorcycle accident, you could find yourself being victimized again by an insurance company.
How were you injured?
Because injuries in motorcycle accidents tend to be more serious, treating them can get expensive. Surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy and medication might be necessary. It may take months or even years to completely heal. Some injuries leave lasting damage. And if you are unable to work, you will have less money coming in.
We Fight The Insurance Companies For You
When you've been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, the insurance company will resist paying you the compensation you deserve. They may even suggest the accident was somehow your fault. Or they'll make you a settlement offer that doesn't even begin to cover the true cost of your accident. That is not acceptable.
Attorneys Jason Ausman and Michelle Epstein worked for insurance companies early in their careers. They know the tactics used to undervalue claims and avoid responsibility. More importantly, they know how to make insurance companies accept responsibility and pay you what you deserve.
Our firm takes the time to build the strongest case possible - a case the insurance companies can't ignore. We will conduct our own investigation of your accident, looking for evidence that the other driver was negligent. Many times, we are able to convince the insurance companies it is in their best interests to negotiate a settlement that works for you.
But if the insurance company won't negotiate, we have no problem fighting your case in court. We love to litigate. And we're proud of the victories we have won in court on behalf of clients.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need an experienced lawyer in your corner. Contact us to arrange a free consultation. There's no obligation. Learn more about how we can help you.
"How did your accident happen?"
Car Turned In Front Of Motorcycle
This type of accident usually happens when a car makes a left turn at an intersection, directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. Typically, this happens because the driver was not paying attention. The rider could be thrown over the top of the bike and onto the pavement. Motorcyclists can suffer serious injuries in this type of crash.
The motorcyclist in this type of accident has the right of way, and the driver of the car was negligent. The driver has a responsibility to check for oncoming traffic when turning-including motorcycles. Distracted driving may also be a factor.
Motorists often don't pay enough attention to the road and don't see motorcycles, even when one is directly in front of them. Or they don't leave enough space between the two vehicles. When a motorcyclist has to brake suddenly, the driver of a car may not be able to stop in time and rear-end a motorcycle.
This type of collision can result in very serious injuries. The back wheel of the bike can be lifted off the ground and flip the bike and rider onto the pavement. Injuries can be especially severe if this collision occurred on a highway at high speeds.
In this type of accident, a car or truck cuts in front of a motorcycle. The driver may have merged without looking, drifted into another lane or failed to yield. To avoid a collision, the motorcyclist takes evasive action and ends up off the road. Other times, a motorcyclist hits a guardrail or falls of the bike and slides on the ground.
If you've been forced off the road, you could have serious injuries, but the negligent driver is probably long gone. Even if the driver does stop, it can be difficult to prove negligence. We can help you determine the best option for getting compensation.
Many drivers barely notice motorcyclists. And when these drivers are also distracted, they are much more likely to crash into one. Texting, eating and changing the radio station are all examples of distracted driving. Anything that takes the driver's attention away from the road, even for a few seconds, can result in an accident.
This is especially dangerous if the accident occurs on a highway at significant speeds. A motorcyclist could be left with broken bones, a leg injury or an internal injury. More serious injuries are also possible, such as spinal cord injuries or a traumatic brain injury. We investigate the accident to look for evidence that the driver was distracted.
This type of accident, also called a "dooring," is a unique risk for motorcyclists. A motorcycle is traveling down a street. The driver of a parked car suddenly opens the door wide, and the motorcyclist is unable to stop in time. The motorcyclist either crashes, or takes evasive action and could end up sliding on the road.
Doorings can result in many kinds of injuries. These include head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and road rash. Drivers have a responsibility to safely exit a car. We will fight to help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries.
A motorcyclist can encounter many different hazards on the road. These include wet pavement, potholes, uneven surfaces, and debris on the road. These are also hazards for cars, but they are especially dangerous for motorcycles. A motorcycle is smaller and less stable than a car, and any of these hazards can cause the rider to lose control and get into a crash.
Establishing negligence can be difficult in these types of accidents. A public entity could be held responsible if it was aware of hazards but did not alert motorists. A business or individual could be held responsible for debris that fell onto the road off of a vehicle because it was not properly secured. We can help you determine your best option for compensation.
Sadly, some motorcycle accident injuries prove fatal. Loved ones are left to grieve, and are also faced with medical bills and funeral expenses. And if the person they lost was a provider, the family must now get by on far less income. When the accident was caused by another's negligence, this is known as a wrongful death.
We help the families of those killed get justice for their loved one. Our attorneys take action against negligent drivers to recover financial compensation. Nothing can bring your loved one back. But we will work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable. We can also fight to provide your family with financial stability during this difficult time.
"How were you injured?"
This type of injury is common in motorcycle accidents. A motorcyclist is hit by a car or truck or is thrown from the bike onto the ground and suffers a blow to the head. The force of impact causes the brain to crash against the skull, resulting in bruising, bleeding or swelling. This leads to an injury called traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Symptoms of head and brain injuries can take time to develop. But a TBI can cause long-term changes in personality, speech and thinking and motor skills. It may also create problems with mobility. People with TBI often require long-term care and rehabilitation, which can be costly.
This type of injury occurs in an accident when a motorcyclist sticks out an arm for protection after being thrown. The motorcyclist lands on the arm, and the force of impact causes nerve damage. This can result in complete or partial paralysis of the arm. If the damage was significant, this paralysis may be permanent.
Biker's arm requires time to heal, as well as treatment that could involve physical therapy and medication. But while it heals, a motorcyclist may be unable to work and could lose income. This injury can also prevent a motorcyclist from taking part in normal activities.
This type of injury is seen in many motorcycle accidents. A motorcyclist's leg may be struck directly by a car or truck. Or a leg injury could occur from being thrown off the bike and sliding on the road. The severity of a leg injury can vary, but in some cases, amputation may be necessary.
A leg injury could require surgery, hospitalization, doctor's visits and physical therapy. It also limits mobility and prevents you from taking part in your usual activities. It may cause you to miss time from work, resulting in less income. Recovery can take months or even years. Sometimes, the damage is permanent.
Some injuries caused by motorcycle accidents aren't obvious. The force of impact in a crash could cause an internal injury. This could result in bleeding inside the head, lungs, abdomen or other areas. This bleeding could be life-threatening if it is not stopped, which could require emergency surgery.
Symptoms of an internal injury can be hard to spot, but can include headache, losing consciousness, pain or swelling in the abdomen, feeling lightheaded, passing out, or skin discoloration. But there could also be no symptoms. That's why it's so important to seek medical attention after a motorcycle accident.
This is another common injury seen in motorcycle accidents, often on the arms, legs and sides. It refers to the cuts, scrapes and bruises that bikers get on their skin from sliding on the road after a crash. Road rash is painful and disfiguring. These injuries can also become infected or irritated and lead to scarring.
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Mild cases may heal on their own with proper medical care. But when there are deep cuts, surgery may be needed. In some cases, reconstructive surgery and skin grafting may be necessary to minimize disfigurement and scarring.
Motorcycle accidents usually involve being hit by a car or truck, or being thrown from a bike onto the ground with great force. This force is often strong enough to result in broken bones. Motorcyclists may suffer fractures in their arms, legs, hips, wrists or hands. There may be multiple fractures.
Broken bones can usually heal in time with proper medical care. But in some cases, surgery and hospitalization may be needed. In the meantime, your mobility may be affected and you may not be able to go back to work right away. You are left with medical expenses and reduced income.
When a motorcyclist is in a crash, the instinct is to try to control the bike to prevent a fall. Motorcycles can weigh up to a thousand pounds, so this requires great effort and puts extra pressure on muscles, ligaments and tendons. They can easily sprain or tear.
Another injury that can happen in a motorcycle accident is whiplash. A rider's head is thrown forward and then backward suddenly with great force. Sprained muscles in the neck lead to pain and tenderness. Any type of muscle injury can reduce mobility, prevent you from taking part in your usual activities, and prevent you from returning to work.
