Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Vermont and New Hampshire

There are hundreds of thousands of people in New Hampshire and Vermont who ride a motorcycle – either as a primary form of transportation or as weather permits and life allows. For both classes of motorcycle riders, the risk of an accident is much higher than for motorists. This makes practicing caution essential for the men and women who live to ride, and equally important for those who simply enjoy it on weekends. It also makes it important to understand that you have rights when injured in one of these accidents and a powerful advocate with the New Hampshire and Vermont motorcycle accident attorneys at Rousseau & Ross.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a motorcycle accident in New Hampshire or Vermont, please contact Rousseau & Ross online or by calling to schedule your free consultation today.

Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents

Though motorcycle accidents can be caused by any number of factors, most fall into a few categories. Did you know these facts about the causes of motorcycle accidents?

The majority of motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. Only 25% of motorcycle accidents are single cycle accidents.
Alcohol is involved in around 50% of motorcycle crashes.
The most common cause of motorcycle-vehicle accidents is the failure to yield the right of way to a motorcyclist. Most of these accidents occur when a vehicle makes a turn in front of the motorcycle, crossing its path.
Failure to detect or see a motorcyclist in traffic is a primary cause of multi-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles.
Contrary to popular belief, weather, road conditions, and equipment failure account for very few accidents.
Operator error and inexperience lead to many motorcycle accidents.

Regardless of its cause, if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you need an experienced and dedicated attorney on your side. Our New Hampshire and Vermont motorcycle accident lawyers are here to take your case, investigate its cause, and help you get the full compensation you deserve.

Types Of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

The types of injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident vary but follow some distinct patterns. Injuries are generally more serious than those seen in car accidents as a motorcycle offers little to no protection in a crash. The most common injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident include:

Burns (leaking fuel is very common)
Head trauma or traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Spinal cord damage
Neck injury
Back injury
Injuries to the lower body such as fractures or breaks in the:
- Foot, ankle, and lower leg
- Knee and thigh
- Pelvis and groin
Injuries to the upper body such as fracture and breaks in the:
- Hand and wrist
- Elbow and upper arm
- Ribs
- Shoulder and collarbone
Internal injuries and internal bleeding
Facial lacerations and fractures
Eye injury
Cuts, lacerations and bruising

While some of these injuries may seem minor, they can all have a profound impact on your ability to enjoy life. Our motorcycle accident attorneys will work directly with you to help you determine how much your injury is worth and fight for every penny you are due.

A Closer Look At Brain Trauma In Motorcycle Accidents

Traumatic brain injuries caused by a direct blow to the rider’s head are irreversible and oftentimes severe. Brain injuries can result in permanent physical disability, loss of memory or speech, loss of thinking and emotional capabilities, comatose state, and even death. Suffering a traumatic brain injury can significantly change the life of the injured and their family. It may alter relationships with loved ones, necessitate continual medical or rehabilitative care, prevent the injured party from working or performing everyday activities, and lead to physical or emotional suffering for all parties involved. Not only does this impact quality of life, it comes with significant financial burdens that should never be the responsibility of motorcycle accident victims or their families. Our attorneys are prepared to take your case and fight tooth and nail to help ensure you and your family are provided the compensation you need to make the best recovery possible.

How To Protect Yourself From Injury

Riding a motorcycle, especially without a helmet, can have serious consequences. Over 95% of all motorcycle accidents result in injury to the rider, and many of these injuries are severe. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can follow to decrease the risks inherent in riding a motorcycle. By following a few simple safety rules, you can significantly decrease your chances of being seriously injured in a motorcycle crash.

The first motorcycle safety rule is always to wear a helmet when riding, even if the law doesn’t demand it. Wearing a motorcycle helmet significantly reduces your chances of a neck or head injury in the case of an accident. Helmets with full facial coverage reduce the chances of face injuries as well. It is important that you also wear other proper safety equipment at all times, including protective gear such as a heavy jacket, long pants, and gloves. When carrying a passenger on your motorcycle, ensure they are wearing proper safety equipment as well.

Please obey traffic laws at all times when riding, resisting the urge to weave through traffic or ride the center lines or breakdown lanes. Do a visual check for other vehicles before changing lanes and drive defensively – other drivers may not be able to see you. Lastly, it is important to never drink and drive. Alcohol is involved in nearly 50% of all fatal motorcycle crashes, and drinking before operating a motorcycle poses a risk to yourself, your passengers, and other drivers.

In the end, however, even the safest of motorcyclists cannot always prevent an accident. If you find yourself injured in one of these accidents in New Hampshire or Vermont, please call to schedule a free and informative consultation at our office. If your injury prevents travel, one of our motorcycle accident lawyers will come to you for this and future meetings.