Were you injured in a motorcycle accident in Defiance, Ohio? Call Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at (419) 404-4444. Our experienced Defiance motorcycle accident lawyers can help you take action and file a personal injury claim for as much compensation as possible.
We’re a premier personal injury law firm in Ohio with 150 years of combined experience. With tens of millions of dollars already recovered for accident victims in the area, you’ll have peace of mind as your case moves forward, should you hire us for your case.
Get in touch when you are ready to learn more about your legal rights and options. We’ll be able to answer any questions you have when we meet to discuss your claim.
Why Hire the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis After a Motorcycle Accident in Defiance, Ohio?
The Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis knows full well the biases motorcycle riders face from insurance companies. We won’t let them get away with offering you less than you’re entitled to under state law, and we will make it our mission to recover the money damages you are entitled to for your injuries.
Some reasons to consider hiring our Defiance personal injury lawyers include:
- We’re led by Attorney Michael J. Tremoulis, one of Ohio’s most well-regarded personal injury lawyers.
- We have over a century of combined legal experience shared across our team of Defiance motorcycle accident attorneys.
- Our case results include multiple recoveries in the seven figures for our deserving clients.
- We won’t hesitate to take your case all the way to trial if that’s in your best interest.
- We will conduct an in-depth internal investigation into your accident so that we can make your claim as successful as possible.
Contact our office in Defiance, OH, today to get started. We’re confident we can help you take appropriate legal action against the responsible parties.
How Much Is My Defiance Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
There’s no all-encompassing answer to this question, as every accident has its own unique set of facts and circumstances.
Some of the things we’ll look at as we evaluate your case include:
- How serious your injuries are and whether they’ll require ongoing treatment
- Whether you’re expected to make a full recovery
- The total extent of your medical care so far, and what future treatment may look like
- Whether you’ve lost any income, and whether your ability to earn a living has been affected long-term
- The limits of any applicable insurance policies
- Whether anyone is trying to shift the fault onto you
- The strength of the evidence supporting your claim
Having an experienced Defiance personal injury attorney on your side can also affect the outcome significantly. For instance, a qualified lawyer will know how to counter lowball offers from insurers and can bring in expert testimony to establish the full value of your damages. We can give you an initial sense of what your case may be worth during your free consultation.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident in Defiance?
If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, Ohio law allows you to pursue both economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury claim. Together, these are called compensatory damages because they aim to compensate you for your losses.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, including:
- Medical bills, both current and future
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages account for the personal toll of the accident, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish and trauma
- Loss of companionship
In rare cases that go to trial, punitive damages may also be available, but they can be more difficult to prove than compensatory damages. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can assess whether punitive damages may be on the table in your situation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Defiance?
Most motorcycle accident attorneys in Defiance work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay anything up front to get started, and you won’t be charged an hourly rate while your case is being handled either. Instead, you only pay attorney’s fees if you win compensation, whether through a jury verdict or settlement.
Many accident victims worry about affording a lawyer on top of medical bills, lost wages, and other financial stress from being injured in a crash. Contingency fee arrangements allow everyone to access quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Motorcycle Accident in Ohio?
It is possible because Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule under O.R.C. § 2315.33.
Under this system, you can typically still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. If you are assigned 51% or more of the fault, you may lose the right to recover entirely. For percentages below that threshold, your total damages are usually reduced proportionally.
For example, if a jury determines your damages are $200,000 but assigns you 20% of the blame, your recovery would likely be reduced to $160,000.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys have extensive experience challenging unfair fault allegations in motorcycle cases. We’ll do everything we can to ensure as little of the blame is placed on you as possible.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Defiance, OH
Motorcycle crashes can cause injuries that range from painful to permanently life-altering. Our motorcycle accident lawyers are prepared to help you pursue compensation no matter what kind of harm you’ve suffered.
Some of the injuries we commonly see in these cases include:
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal bleeding
- Burn injuries
- Nerve damage
- Knee injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Herniated discs
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Organ damage
- The wrongful death of a loved one
If you or someone in your family were injured in a motorcycle crash that wasn’t your fault, we may be able to help. Call today for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Defiance, OH
Motorcycle crashes usually occur when a driver fails to pay attention or follow the rules of the road. Riders are harder to see than passenger vehicles, and too many drivers simply don’t look for them before turning or changing lanes.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in and around Defiance include:
- Drivers making left turns in front of an oncoming motorcycle
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running a traffic signal or stop sign
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Tailgating
- Opening a car door into a rider’s path
- Poor road conditions, including potholes and loose gravel
No matter how the accident happened, you may be owed compensation if someone else’s negligence played a role. Contact our personal injury attorneys in Defiance today for initial legal advice about your next steps.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Ohio?
Ohio’s statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under O.R.C. § 2305.10. If you don’t file within that window, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case regardless of how compelling the evidence is.
Exceptions to this deadline exist, but only in narrow circumstances. The sooner you get a motorcycle accident attorney involved, the more effectively we can preserve the evidence that matters and set you up for success from the start.
What Is Negligence and How Do I Prove It in an Ohio Motorcycle Accident Case?
Most motorcycle accident cases are based on a negligence cause of action. Essentially, negligence is the legal term for failing to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would under similar circumstances. When that failure causes an accident, and someone gets hurt, the negligent party can be held financially responsible.
Proving negligence requires establishing four elements:
- Duty of care: The other driver owed you a legal obligation to operate their vehicle safely and follow the rules of the road.
- Breach of duty: The driver failed to meet that obligation. This could mean running a red light or any other careless behavior behind the wheel.
- Causation: The driver’s breach of duty directly caused the accident that led to your injuries and was also the proximate cause.
- Damages: You suffered real, measurable harm as a result of the at-fault party’s behavior.
These elements must typically be proven on a “by a preponderance of the evidence” basis, which means around a 51% or higher likelihood.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Defiance Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
A motorcycle accident in Defiance, OH, can leave you with a number of debilitating consequences all at once. The Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis is here to take that burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Our Defiance motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to get to work on your case as soon as you are. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
