Manchester Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
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On This Page
- Why Choose Harding Mazzotti, LLP for Your Motorcycle Accident Case?
- What Is the Vermont Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims?
- What Compensation Is Available After a Motorcycle Accident?
- Who Is Liable in a Manchester Motorcycle Accident?
- How Motorcycle Accidents Differ From Other Auto Accidents
- What To Do After a Manchester Motorcycle Accident
- How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help
Whether you’re cruising down Route 7 or navigating Vermont’s busy intersections, Manchester motorcyclists face unique challenges on the road. Because riders do not have the protection of a vehicle’s frame and safety features, a motorcycle accident can lead to serious injuries that have life-changing consequences.
If you were injured in a motorcycle wreck, our Manchester motorcycle accident lawyers know the struggles you’re facing and are ready to help you fight for justice. We can protect your rights and pursue the compensation you need to recover and move forward with your life.
Call 844-446-1044 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We can explain your legal options and help you find the best path forward.
Why Choose Harding Mazzotti, LLP for Your Motorcycle Accident Case?
Known as The Heavy Hitters®, Harding Mazzotti, LLP is one of the most recognized personal injury law firms in the Northeast. Along with compassionate support and guidance, we offer aggressive legal advocacy that delivers big results when our clients need it most.
When you work with our team, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, letting insurance companies know we are ready to go the distance. We also have deep knowledge of Vermont laws that can affect your case, helping you navigate the complex claims process.
With over $1 billion recovered in settlements and verdicts, we’re proud to offer the reach of a large firm while still providing the personal attention of a smaller practice. We put your needs first, offering a steady hand when you’re facing the most difficult times after a motorcycle crash.
What Is the Vermont Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims?
For most motorcycle accidents, you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or property damage lawsuit. This statute of limitations is a strict deadline. If you miss it, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation.
However, depending on the nature of your claim, the timeline may be different in certain situations:
- Personal injury and property damage: You generally have three years to seek damages.
- Wrongful death: If a collision results in a fatality, the family typically has only two years from the date of death to take legal action.
- Government liability: If a crash involves a state vehicle or a poorly maintained road in Manchester, you may have as little as 90 to 120 days to file a formal notice.
To avoid missing the filing deadline, it’s important to act quickly. Contact a Manchester motorcycle accident attorney to get started on your case.
What Compensation Is Available After a Motorcycle Accident?
If someone else’s negligence led to your motorcycle accident and injuries, you don’t have to carry the burden of the crash alone. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses and the suffering you’ve been through, including economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the actual expenses and financial losses that the motorcycle accident caused, such as:
- Current medical bills
- Cost of ongoing and future medical care
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning capacity
- Motorcycle repairs or replacement
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible losses or the subjective ways your life has been impacted by your injuries. This may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Who Is Liable in a Manchester Motorcycle Accident?
In Vermont, liability for a motorcycle accident is based on negligence or failing to use reasonable care. Potential liable parties include:
- Other motorists: Drivers who were distracted, speeding, driving under the influence, or who failed to yield may be responsible for a resulting crash.
- Public entities: Government agencies or municipalities may be liable if the crash was caused by road defects, potholes, or poor signage.
- Motorcycle manufacturers: Companies responsible for defective motorcycle parts or mechanical failures could be held liable.
Vermont uses a modified comparative negligence system, which means you can recover damages as long as you are 50% or less at fault. However, your payout is reduced by your percentage of shared fault. Proving liability requires showing that negligence directly caused your injuries.
How Motorcycle Accidents Differ From Other Auto Accidents
Motorcycle accidents differ from standard car accidents due to the rider’s vulnerability. While car occupants are shielded by steel frames, airbags, and seatbelts, motorcyclists have little to no physical barrier between themselves and the road. This lack of protection means that even low-speed impacts often result in riders being ejected, leading to more severe injuries.
Additionally, motorcycles are much smaller than passenger cars, often making them difficult to see. This can increase the risk of collisions that may not occur with larger, more visible passenger vehicles.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Manchester, VT
In Manchester, motorcycle accidents often stem from a combination of driver errors and unique environmental factors. Common causes of motorcycle crashes include:
- Left-turn collisions: Drivers may misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or fail to see the rider at intersections, turning directly into the motorcycle’s path.
- Road hazards: Loose gravel, debris, and potholes, which are common after Vermont’s harsh winters, can cause motorcyclists to lose traction or control.
- Visibility issues: A motorcycle’s smaller size makes it easier for other drivers to overlook riders in their blind spots.
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, adjusting their vehicle settings, or simply not looking at the road may cause a crash.
- Speeding and impairment: Excessive speed reduces reaction times on winding rural roads, while alcohol or drug impairment remains a leading cause of fatalities.
Common Injuries Caused By Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can result in minor to severe injuries that may require lengthy recovery times, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Even with a helmet, high-impact crashes can cause concussions, contusions, or long-term cognitive impairment.
- Spinal cord injuries: Riders face risks of nerve damage or paralysis if they injure their spinal cord.
- Severe road rash: Sliding across the pavement or gravel can strip the skin, often requiring skin grafts and leaving permanent scarring.
- Bone fractures: Broken arms, wrists, ribs, legs, knees, and feet are the most common fractures.
- Internal organ damage: Accidents can damage the spleen, liver, kidneys, or other internal organs.
What To Do After a Manchester Motorcycle Accident
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, your priority is your health and safety. However, there are things you can do after a motorcycle crash that can also protect your legal rights, including:
- Document the scene: If possible, take pictures or videos of the accident scene, including road conditions, property damage, and injuries.
- Keep track of expenses: Organize medical bills, repair estimates and other accident-related expenses, and receipts for other out-of-pocket costs.
- Notify your insurance company: Provide the facts of the accident to your insurance company.
- Follow your doctor’s advice: Consider seeking medical care for your injuries and follow through with all recommended treatments.
- Contact an experienced attorney: Speak with a trusted motorcycle accident lawyer to help you determine how to move forward.
Our Manchester personal injury lawyers can review your situation and provide guidance on your next steps. Contact us for a free consultation with our team.
How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help
With over 30 years of experience in personal injury law, our motorcycle accident lawyers have the skills and resources to handle every step of your case, including:
- Conducting a full investigation to determine fault
- Gathering crucial evidence to build your claim
- Communicating with the insurance companies
- Negotiating a settlement that accurately reflects your losses
- Taking your case to court when necessary to fight for fair compensation
If you were injured in a Manchester motorcycle accident, we’re ready to stand up to big insurance companies that may treat you unfairly or try to pay less than your claim is worth.
Speak With Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Manchester, VT
Who you hire matters. If you’re facing hardships after a motorcycle accident, one quick call to Harding Mazzotti, LLP could fix it all. Our consultations are always free, and there is no upfront cost to hire our team. Call 844-446-1044 or contact us online for a free case evaluation today.
