Wyoming has its fair share of licensed motorcyclists. However, countless others travel through our state on their motorbikes every year, whether traveling through on their way to neighboring states or making a pit stop at one of our state’s top tourist stops.
While many motorbike riders experience unremarkable, enjoyable rides, others do not. According to the Wyoming Report on Traffic Crashes published in 2022 by the Wyoming Department of Transportation, there were 231 motorcycle-involved crashes, 203 of which resulted in either injuries or fatalities.
Here at Edwards Law Office, P.C., we have a long history of helping individuals hurt in motorbike crashes or families that have lost loved ones, and we want to similarly assist you. Reach out to our law office to consult with an Etna motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your or a relative’s wreck so we can discuss the legal remedies available to you. Meeting with a member of our legal team is free.
Wyoming Laws Aim To Protect Motorcyclist Safety
Our state has laws that motorbike riders must follow. They exist with the goal of minimizing the chance of motorcyclists getting hurt. Some of those most notable laws include:
- All motorcyclists must have a motorcycle license
- All motorcyclists are required to carry liability insurance
- Riders 18 or younger must wear a helmet when riding their motorbike
- Cyclists must ensure their motorbike has both a footrest and seat for their passenger to use if they’re planning to transport one
- A motorbike must come equipped with a rear-view mirror
- Motorcyclists must not engage in lane-splitting
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Etna, WY
Unfortunately, our experience at Edwards Law Office, P.C. is that motorcyclists abide by the above-referenced laws, but their fellow motorists do not because they engage in the following types of reckless driving:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Engaging in distracted driving
- Failing to yield to motorcyclists’ right of way
Aside from driver operational issues, vehicle maintenance issues and road conditions, including road construction and inclement weather, may lead to crashes.
Injuries Caused by Motorbike Crashes
The injuries that motorcycle collisions cause are often catastrophic since motorcyclists lack the outer shell of their vehicles to protect them from suffering serious harm. Our motorbike crash attorneys have experience assisting clients who’ve suffered a wide range of injuries, including:
- Lacerations and burns, including those caused by road rash
- Broken bones, especially of the lower extremities like the ankle, leg, or pelvis
- Neck and back injuries, including spinal cord damage
- Head or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), especially if a victim wasn’t wearing a helmet
- Internal organ damage, such as the severing of the liver or spleen
Each of these injuries has the potential to be fatal.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Crash
The steps you need to take after becoming involved in a motorbike accident in Etna aren’t all that different from the ones you need to take after a car wreck or tractor-trailer collision. You need to:
- Call the police to request for them to come make a report
- Take photographs of property damage, injuries, and the crash scene
- Take down contact information for witnesses
- Seek medical attention—even if you don’t believe you’re seriously hurt
- Have your motorcycle damage assessed and repaired
- Keep a record of your lost wages
- Contact an Etna motorcycle accident attorney
As for that latter point, a lawyer plays an important role in helping you prove your case.
Proving Liability in a Collision Case
It’s your responsibility as an injury victim to prove another party’s liability for your motorcycle crash. How do you do this? It’s your responsibility to prove that a motorist or someone else did the following, causing your crash, as the accident victim:
- The person who struck you owed you a duty of care (to keep you safe)
- That responsible party breached the duty of care they owed you
- The motorist’s or other party’s negligence caused your injuries
- You sustained damages (i.e., financial losses) because of the injuries you sustained
No matter the cause of your family member’s death or the type of your injuries, know that we’re here to assess whether you have a pursuable claim here at Edwards Law Office, P.C. Contact us for a free, no-risk, no-obligation consultation with an Etna motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss legal options available to you in your case.
Damages Available to Crash Victims
Riders and passengers injured in motorcycle wrecks are generally able to recover both economic and noneconomic damages by filing an insurance claim or injury lawsuit. This means that if you’re hurt, you may be able to demand compensation for expenses such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and lost future earnings
- The services of a home health care aide
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Losses of enjoyment of life or consortium
Funeral and burial costs, as well as loss of benefits and other types of compensation, may additionally be available when you file a wrongful death action.
How Our Etna Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Helps You
When it comes to hiring a legal representative, you can count on them to:
- Request all records necessary to understand responsibility and build a strong case
- Thoroughly investigate what happened and ascertain if you have a viable claim
- Attempt to settle with insurers or other responsible parties
- Take your case to trial if settling out-of-court is improbable
The Statute of Limitations Applicable in Injury or Death Cases
There’s a very limited timeline within which you have to file a motorcycle injury lawsuit, which is generally four years. That filing deadline is only two years if the motorbike collision results in death.
We’re Here To Help if Your Life Has Been Impacted by a Motorcycle Accident
In an ideal world, all motorists, motorcyclists included, would mind the rules of the road, and no one would even suffer injuries or lose their lives senselessly in crashes. However, this is, unfortunately, not the reality.
It’s unfortunate we have to meet under such circumstances when you’re not at your best or find yourself grieving the loss of a loved one, but we derive comfort in knowing that, if you are dealing with something like this, you couldn’t be in better hands than our own. We can promise you that when you work with any Etna motorcycle accident lawyer on our team, we have your back—from the moment you hire us until your case’s conclusion.
If you’re looking for competent and attentive legal assistance after a motorcycle accident in Etna, WY, we’re the legal team you’ll want to speak with. So, contact us by phone or online using our contact form now. We’re ready to speak with you.