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You suffer an injury in a motorcycle accident that is the result of a negligent motorist’s actions. At this point, consult with an Apponaug motorcycle accident lawyer. Next, your attorney can help you build a case against the liable driver.
Gemma Law Associates, Inc. has more than five decades of combined legal experience on staff. Let our legal team help you with your motorcycle accident case. Schedule a free case consultation with an Apponaug personal injury lawyer from our team.
Who Is at Fault for Your Accident?
A motorist is often liable for a motorcycle accident. For example, a driver gets distracted, taking their eyes off the road. This motorist does not have enough time to stop to prevent your accident, and they can be held responsible.
Other at-fault parties can include a motorcycle manufacturer or a government entity. To determine who is liable for your accident, meet with an attorney. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Apponaug examines the facts of your case, identifies any liable parties, and helps you sue for damages accordingly.
Your Apponaug Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can explain how fault is determined in a motorcycle accident. If someone else is responsible for your accident, you may be eligible for damages. To secure compensation, your attorney can request damages in alignment with Rhode Island’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving ApponaugCall 401.467.2300
Motorcycle Laws in Rhode Island
You follow Rhode Island’s motorcycle laws carefully. These include having a valid license and keeping it up to date. Along with this, you do everything within your power to follow the rules of the road.
In spite of your actions, a motorist is negligent and slams their vehicle into you while you are riding your motorcycle. The incident is frustrating, and you are unsure of what to do from here. Work with an Apponaug motorcycle accident attorney, and you can hold the liable motorist accountable for their actions.
The team at Gemma Law Associates, Inc. understands what can happen if you choose not to take legal action against a motorist responsible for a motorcycle accident. We will advocate for you and put you in an excellent position to collect damages from this at-fault party. Contact us to learn more.
Apponaug Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 401.467.2300
How Much Time do You Have to File a Lawsuit?
Per Rhode Island General Laws §9-1-14, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is three years. If you get hurt in a motorcycle accident, you have up to three years from the date of the incident to seek damages from an at-fault party. Once this window closes, you may be 100% responsible for your accident-related losses.
A motorcycle accident attorney in Apponaug will encourage you to submit your lawsuit right away. Your lawyer can guide you through this process. They can file your lawsuit and look for ways to help you achieve your desired case results as quickly as possible.
Filing a lawsuit does not automatically mean damages will be awarded. The burden of proof plays an important role in your case. If you offer sufficient evidence, it may be clear to a judge or jury why you deserve maximum damages.
Evidence You Can Get in Your Case
Your lawyer will discuss how long a motorcycle accident lawsuit takes. If you have an abundance of evidence, the defendant in your case may be inclined to propose a settlement that lines up with your expectations. Proof you can use in your lawsuit includes:
- Accident scene videos and photos
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Pay stubs
- Police reports
Expect the defendant in your case to gather evidence as well. Regardless, your attorney can find ways to contest the defendant’s claims against you. If your lawyer succeeds, a judge or jury could provide you with damages for all of your quantifiable and subjective losses.
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Damages You Can Request in Your Lawsuit
Securing damages is typically easier said than done in a motorcycle accident lawsuit. You can ask for economic and non-economic damages. Reasons why a judge or jury will award damages include:
- Motorcycle repairs or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment
Your lawyer calculates your damages and accounts for how your accident will affect you moving forward. For instance, you suffer injuries that leave you with permanent disabilities. Your lawyer will request damages to ensure you are financially protected long into the future.
How Comparative Negligence Can Affect Your Case
Based on Rhode Island General Laws §9-20-4, comparative negligence impacts those who want to collect damages in a motorcycle accident case. Rhode Island enforces pure comparative negligence. If you are in any way at fault for your accident, what you receive in damages can be reduced by how much you are to blame.
To understand how comparative negligence relates to your case, consider an example. A judge or jury finds you are 10% liable for your accident. If this happens, you may get 90% of the damages you initially requested.
With comparative negligence, you can recover damages even if you are 99% at fault. Your lawyer commits time and resources to show the defendant in your lawsuit is fully liable.
If the defendant has concerns about the strength of your argument, they could offer you a settlement that allows you to resolve your case without a trial.
Settling Your Case
If you get a motorcycle crash settlement, you are not legally obligated to approve it. Alternatively, you may want to examine the proposal with your lawyer. You and your attorney can review the offer together and weigh its pros and cons.
Your lawyer can advise you on how to proceed with a settlement offer. Yet, you make the final decision on it. If a settlement is less than what you want, you can decline it without incurring any penalties.
Throughout your litigation, your attorney wants you to make informed decisions. Rather than rush through the process of deciding what to do with a settlement, it may be best to take the time you need to evaluate the proposal in detail. If you work with a lawyer, you can determine if it is in your best interests to approve or decline an offer.
Partner with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Who Will Empower Your Recovery
At Gemma Law Associates, Inc., our team works diligently to help you get the damages you deserve in your motorcycle crash case. We are available to assist you with your case. Request a free consultation.
Call or text 401.467.2300 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form