Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to injuries, even if they wear a helmet and proper riding gear. A rider could get clipped by a distracted driver on U.S. Route 6 while taking in the sights along Lake Erie, resulting in broken bones and nerve injuries. Motorcyclists can also get run off the road by semi-trucks while on the Ohio Turnpike or Interstate 90, causing concussions, major fractures, and other severe injuries.
After a crash, you need motorcycle accident lawyers here in Cleveland who can push back against claims of partial fault and call out negative stereotypes about motorcycle riders. Tittle & Perlmuter is here to fight for you.
Our firm has always sided with the underdog in Northeast Ohio, putting in the hard work so families get the help they need during a difficult time. To set up a free case review, contact our law firm today.
Where Motorcycle Accidents Often Happen Around Cleveland
Crashes can happen anywhere in the Cleveland area. According to official figures from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 1,776 motorcycle accidents in Cuyahoga County from 2019 to 2023. These are just a few places in the county where these kinds of collisions occur:
- Major Interstates Around Cleveland: Motorcycle crashes are a major risk on I-90, I-480, I-77, and I-71 due to the heavy traffic, high speeds, and a mix of commuters and large commercial vehicles.
- Multi-Lane Arterial Roads in Cleveland: Motorcyclists need to be careful on major multi-lane roads in the city, like St. Clair Avenue, Superior Avenue, Carnegie Avenue, or Lorain Avenue.
- The Grand Army of the Republic Highway: Many motorcycle enthusiasts enjoy riding on U.S. Route 6 along Lake Erie. Motorcyclists need to be careful about other drivers and any commercial vehicles that may be on the highway.
- Scenic Routes Outside Cleveland: Motorcyclists must be careful while taking scenic routes like Chagrin River Road in Gates Mills or the roads around Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It can take time for first responders to reach these places when accidents happen.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in and around Cleveland include:
- Failure to Check Blind Spots: Many drivers lose sight of motorcyclists in their blind spots. A sudden lane change or merge could result in a major crash.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers may not be aware of their surroundings if they are texting behind the wheel, eating while driving, making a call without a hands-free kit, or rubbernecking.
- Speeding: Excessive speed is one of the leading causes of car accidents nationwide. Higher speeds often result in more serious injuries to motorcyclists.
- Reckless Driving: Examples of reckless driving include frequent lane changes, refusing to yield the right of way, tailgating, and road rage.
- Drunk/Intoxicated Driving: People who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol put countless lives at risk. Tittle & Perlmuter can help motorcyclists seek compensation in an OVI accident claim.
- Vehicle/Part Defects: Some motorcycles have critical design flaws that make them unsafe. The same is true of faulty tires, poor brake systems, and other critical motorcycle parts.
- Bad Weather Conditions: The weather around Lake Erie can cause fog and icy conditions that affect a motorcyclist’s visibility, stopping time, and overall stability.
- Poor Road Conditions: Local motorcyclists don’t just have to worry about ice, snow, and fog around Lake Erie. Potholes, uneven surfaces, and issues with road maintenance can also cause motorcyclists to lose control.
Potential Injuries in a Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycle collisions often result in catastrophic injuries with lasting consequences.
- Road Rash: Road rash refers to the cuts and abrasions that occur when a motorcyclist skids across the road.
- Biker’s Arm: Biker’s arm occurs when a motorcyclist holds out their arms in an attempt to break their fall. This can affect the nerves of the upper arm and shoulder, causing numbness or paralysis.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even if a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, a collision can cause a severe concussion or other type of TBI.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The force of a hard landing in a motorcycle accident can injure the spinal cord, resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia (tetraplegia).
- Bone and Joint Fractures: Motorcyclists often suffer from cracked ribs in accidents as well as other serious fractures of their bones and joints.
- Injuries to Internal Organs: The impact of a crash can cause serious trauma to the internal organs, including the liver, lungs, kidneys, and spleen.
- Loss of Limbs: Some motorcycle crashes are so severe that they result in the loss of a limb at the accident site or the need to amputate a limb in the emergency room.
- Physical Disfigurement: The severity of injuries in a motorcycle crash can cause permanent scarring and physical disfigurement.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Collision?
Different parties can be held liable for a motorcycle accident depending on the details of the crash. At Tittle & Perlmuter, our motorcycle accident attorneys in Cleveland will make sure all liable parties are held accountable.
- The Other Driver(s): The other driver or drivers on the road can be held liable if they were reckless, intoxicated, or distracted at the time of the crash.
- The Driver’s Employer: The employers of truckers, delivery drivers, or rideshare drivers can be held liable if their policies or hiring practices contributed to an accident.
- Service or Maintenance Crews: Issues with motorcycle repairs or tune-ups could lead to major defects that contribute to a collision.
- Automakers and Parts Companies: If a motorcycle is poorly designed or parts fail, the manufacturers can be held liable for putting consumers in danger.
- Local Road Authorities: If an improperly maintained roadway leads to a motorcycle accident, the motorcyclist may have a claim against the City of Cleveland or another government agency with legal responsibility for the street.
Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Through a personal injury lawsuit, an injured motorcyclist can seek economic and non-economic damages from the negligent parties. Such damages cover:
- Past, Current, and Future Medical Expenses: This includes emergency medical care, hospitalization, and any visits with specialists. Damages will also cover future estimated costs related to physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and other necessary care.
- Property Damaged in the Crash: This includes repair or replacement of a motorcycle and any belongings that were also damaged in the accident.
- Lost Income and Reduced Earning Potential: This includes lost wages due to time off from work while recuperating, as well as loss of future earning potential if injuries resulted in a long-term or permanent disability.
- Pain and Suffering: This includes any chronic pain that lingers after a crash, emotional distress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Reduced Quality of Life: This includes any changes in overall contentment and well-being after a crash and the loss of enjoyment in hobbies.
Compensation After a Fatal Motorcycle Crash
If you’ve lost a member of your family in a fatal motorcycle collision, you have our sincerest condolences. When you are ready to discuss what happened, the attorneys at Tittle & Perlmuter can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party.
Damages in fatal accident claims can help cover funeral costs, grief counseling, the loss of your loved one’s income, and the pain associated with the loss of companionship.
How Partial Fault Affects Motorcycle Accident Compensation
The state of Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2315.33). This means motorcyclists can still seek compensation as long as they were 50% or less liable. A motorcyclist’s share of fault is deducted from their compensation.
For example, say that you are awarded $100,000 for a motorcycle crash with a semi on U.S. Route 6. However, you were found to be 15% at fault for the accident. Because of modified comparative negligence, you would still receive $85,000.
Many insurance companies will try to shift blame to reduce payouts. This may involve stereotypes about motorcyclists and risky behaviors. Our Cleveland motorcycle accident attorneys can push back against these tactics to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Statute of Limitations: Deadline to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
According to Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10, you generally have two years from the date of a motorcycle crash to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. You will not be able to take legal action after the two-year statute of limitations has expired.
Even though two years seems like a long time, it’s best to speak with our motorcycle accident lawyers in Cleveland as soon as possible. The team at Tittle & Perlmuter can start building a strong case and initiate negotiations with the insurance company.
Why Choose Tittle & Perlmuter for Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
The team at Tittle & Perlmuter fights for hard-working Buckeyes here in Cleveland and other parts of Northeast Ohio. Here’s why local families trust our law firm with their case:
- We Fight for the Underdog: Our law firm is proud to represent the little guy. Our attorneys enjoy going up against goliaths like insurance companies and powerful corporations.
- We Understand Cleveland and Northeast Ohio: National law firms will often treat you like a case number. Tittle & Perlmuter is based here in Cleveland, and we look out for motorcyclists and their families all over Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio.
- We Focus on Getting Our Clients Results: Our law firm has secured millions for accident victims over the years. We encourage you to browse our past case results to assess our track record.
Contact Our Cleveland Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in a motorcycle crash, the lawyers at Tittle & Perlmuter are ready to go to work for you. We’ll make sure you have an advocate who looks out for your best interests. For a free consultation with our motorcycle accident lawyers in Cleveland, contact our law firm today.
