Personal Injury | Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Charleston, WV and Columbus, OH

Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Recovering damages from negligent drivers

People ride motorcycles for many reasons: Freedom, adventure and maybe because it just costs less than driving a car. You had your own personal reasons. Unfortunately, a crash may have left you with injuries that now keep you from enjoying your motorcycle - and caused many other physical, emotional and financial problems for you. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC can help.

Our firm assists motorcycle accident victims and their families throughout West Virginia and Ohio. It's not just business for us. It's personal. We get to know how a crash has impacted our clients' lives, and we work tirelessly to get their lives back on track.

When you work with us, you will see us go the extra mile to seek all available compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering and more. With our combined legal experience and a record of positive results, our attorneys have what it takes to a make a difference for you.

Serious injuries are far too common in motorcycle crashes

Motorcycle accident victims can suffer catastrophic injuries - even when they wear helmets and other safety equipment. The lack of any structural protection and the fact that riders typically are thrown from their bikes contribute to the severity of these injuries.

Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion
  • Spinal cord injury and paralysis
  • Eye damage
  • Loss of teeth
  • Multiple fractures
  • Loss of limbs
  • Burns (including "road rash")
  • Nerve damage (including “biker’s arm”)
  • Other scarring and disfigurement.

The cost of these injuries can be massive. That’s why you need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer on your side.

Our firm has extensive experience helping people who have suffered these injuries and other catastrophic injuries as well as families of victims of fatal motorcycle accidents. When we take on your case, we will thoroughly review your medical records and determine the nature and extent of your injuries. We will also consult with medical, vocational and life care-planning experts. They can help us to assess the impact of your injuries and project your future medical needs and expenses.

Motorists need to share the road with motorcycles

When a car and a motorcycle collide, the driver of the larger vehicle is most often at fault. Motorists cause motorcycle accidents by:

  • Failing to yield, especially when making left turns in front of an oncoming bike
  • Speeding, which can leave less time to stop and avoid a collision
  • Following a motorcycle too closely, which is especially dangerous because bikes have a shorter stopping distance than cars
  • Dooring – opening a car door into the path of a bike
  • Distracted driving, which can make it harder to see a smaller vehicle like a motorcycle
  • Failing to check blind spots before turning or changing lanes

Most motorcycle accidents happen in urban areas on non-interstate roads. Slightly more than half happen away from intersections – but intersections are more individually dangerous than an equivalent stretch of non-intersection roadway.

Holding at-fault drivers accountable is a challenge

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else, you should be compensated for all your damages. Your motorcycle accident settlement should include the full cost of your injuries, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other costs. And if the insurance company won’t pay up, then you have the right to file a lawsuit.

However, actually getting the money you deserve is an uphill battle. Motorcycle accident claims pose special challenges. When it comes to motorcyclists, insurance companies believe in stereotypes. They think motorcyclists in general are reckless and irresponsible. So when there’s an accident, in their mind you must have been at fault somehow.

Aggressive attorneys who fight for your rights

We reject that kind of thinking. Our attorneys know motorcyclists are responsible on the road. They are also vulnerable because drivers don't look for motorcycles and treat them like a nuisance. If the insurance company tries to put the blame on you, we will fight back.

Our legal team conducts an investigation of your accident to find out what really happened. We know where to look for evidence of negligence and leave no stone unturned. We'll review accident reports and medical records, interview witnesses, consult experts as needed - whatever it takes to build the strongest case possible.

It's not just business. It's about your life.

We also consider the full impact the motorcycle accident has had on your life to determine your damages. For example, you can seek damages for past and future medical expenses related to the injury, as well as lost wages while you are left unable to work. But there may be other damages as well, such as disability or disfigurement, pain and suffering and emotional distress.

When insurance companies see that we have prepared a strong case, they often agree to negotiate a settlement. But if they won't agree to a settlement that meets your needs, we will fight for you in court. Our attorneys are skilled litigators who know how to get a successful outcome in a motorcycle accident lawsuit.

If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in West Virginia or Ohio, contact Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC for a free consultation. Our Central Ohio law firm will give you the close personal attention you deserve and focus on what is important to you and your family. Our attorneys won't rest until we have done everything we can to pursue the maximum amount of compensation for you.

Charleston, WV

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
10 Hale St Suite 501
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 720-1000

Columbus, OH

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
20 E Broad St Suite 1000
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 587-8423