If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Columbus, OH, our team at Mani, Ellis & Layne, PLLC is here to help. You may deserve significant compensation from the person responsible for the crash. An experienced Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer can help you fight to recover full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and trauma.
Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous. It’s important to have an experienced team by your side. We have over 71 years of combined experience in personal injury law–and we’ve already recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for accident victims like you.
If you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, contact our law offices in Columbus, Ohio, or call (614) 587-8423 to schedule a free consultation today with our Columbus motorcycle accident attorney.
How Can Mani, Ellis & Layne, PLLC Help Me Recover Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident in Columbus?
At Mani, Ellis & Layne, PLLC, our Columbus personal injury lawyers are ready to put our experience to work for you. Each of our lawyers has earned an AV-Preeminent rating from the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell lawyer rating service. We’ve also been recognized by Super Lawyers for our efforts.
Most importantly, since we opened our doors in 2007, our Columbus personal injury attorneys have earned a proven reputation for success in serving injured clients like you.
When you trust us to handle your motorcycle accident claim in Columbus, OH, our team will:
- Independently investigate to determine the cause of your accident
- Complete all insurance paperwork and file a claim for full compensation
- Compile the most compelling evidence possible to prove your case
- Work with leading experts who can strengthen your arguments
- Be ready to defend you against blame-the-victim insurance games
- Negotiate with the insurance company for the maximum compensation available
We know the stakes are high. We’re prepared to do everything we can to help your case succeed. Contact us today to learn more about how our Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers can help with your case.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Ohio?
While motorcycle wrecks are less common than accidents involving two traditional vehicles, they also have the potential to be much more devastating.
Between 2018 and 2022, 18,980 car accidents involving motorcycles were reported across the state of Ohio. 953 motorcyclists were killed in those crashes. Another 13 occupants in traditional vehicles lost their lives. 5,296 motorcycle riders were seriously injured in crashes over the same five-year period.
Franklin County ranks second in the state when it comes to the number of motorcycle accidents reported. 1,585 motorcycle wrecks were reported to OSHP in Franklin County alone during 2023.
What Is My Columbus Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
People often assume that crash victims simply add up their financial costs to determine the value of their personal injury case. In reality, it’s much more complicated.
Many different factors can influence your case value, including:
- The severity of the injuries involved
- Medical treatment and vehicle repair expenses
- Whether your doctors expect you to suffer a long-term or permanent disability
- Your anticipated need for any ongoing medical care, therapy, or rehabilitation
- How the injury impacts your ability to work and earn a living
- The nature of the at-fault party’s conduct
- The degree of physical pain and emotional trauma you have experienced
- Whether you share any fault for the accident
- How the injury impacts your quality of life and lifestyle
Yes, your final compensation award should cover all of your expenses. It should also account for potential future costs and intangible losses, like pain and suffering.
When the insurance company offers a settlement that seems to cover all of your costs, you probably deserve more. An experienced attorney can evaluate the details and put together an insurance demand that accounts for the compensation you really deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free case review if you have questions about your case value.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Ohio Motorcycle Accident Victims?
Under Ohio law, you can seek compensation for both financial losses and non-financial losses. These losses are called economic damages and non-economic damages, respectively.
Some common economic costs of a motorcycle crash include:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning potential
- Property damage
Your non-economic losses may include emotional damage, physical losses, and other intangibles that money can’t buy.
When we’re assessing these damages, our lawyers will consider:
- Your physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues
- PTSD
- Shame and humiliation
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
It’s harder to put a dollar value on these types of losses, but they’re no less important. In fact, these are the types of losses that have the potential to impact you for years to come.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Columbus?
You’re probably dealing with significant expenses if you were injured in a serious crash. Fortunately, it won’t cost you anything to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. You pay our attorneys’ fees out of your compensation award.
This is called a contingency fee arrangement. If we recover damages in your case, we take a percentage once your case is resolved. Typically, the percentage is somewhere between 33% and 40%, depending on things like the complexity of your case, the amount of time required, and whether we proceed to trial.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Motorcycle Accident in Ohio?
Keep in mind that between 2018 and 2022, the motorcycle driver was found to be responsible for the crash in 56% of all motorcycle-related accidents in Ohio. As a motorcyclist, it’s extremely likely that someone will try to blame you for the accident.
Ohio has a modified comparative negligence law. Crash victims lose their right to compensation once their share of fault reaches 51%. If you are less than 51% liable, your compensation is reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.
If someone is blaming you for getting hurt, it’s best to consult a lawyer. An experienced lawyer can determine whether the allegations are justified and find evidence that can help you fight back.
Our Columbus Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries
According to OSHP data, 72% of motorcyclists who were killed and 66% of motorcyclists who were seriously injured in traffic accidents were not wearing a helmet.
In Ohio, helmets are only required for:
- Riders under the age of 18
- Motorcycle drivers with less than one year of motorcycle-riding experience
- Passengers where the driver is required to wear a helmet
It’s also important to remember that motorcycle wrecks have the potential to cause severe and life-threatening injuries that a helmet can’t protect against.
At Mani, Ellis & Layne, PLLC, our attorneys often represent motorcycle accident victims who have suffered:
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Crushing injuries
- Burns and road rash
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If you were injured in a crash, call our team for a free case evaluation today.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Columbus, Ohio?
Motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles. They can be harder to see–especially when drivers aren’t paying attention.
However, many factors can cause a motorcycle accident, including the following:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Weaving between lanes
- Passing too closely
- “Dooring” or opening a door into a passing motorcycle
- Racing through intersections
- Lane splitting
- Drunk driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs
- Fatigued drivers
- Inexperienced drivers
- Hazardous road conditions, including bad weather
It’s important to pinpoint the exact cause–or causes–of your motorcycle accident. Only then can you fight to hold every responsible party accountable.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident in Ohio?
Negligence is the basic cause of most motor vehicle accidents. Negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable caution under the circumstances.
Proof of negligence requires establishing the following:
- The at-fault driver’s duty of care
- A breach of duty or the defendant’s mistake
- Causation, or proof that the breach actually caused the accident
- The damages you suffered as a result of your motorcycle accident injuries
Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Columbus will collect any available evidence that can win your case. That includes cell phone records, witness statements, and even your medical records.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in Ohio?
Personal injury victims in Ohio have two years to sue the responsible party for damages. If you fail to take legal action before the two-year statute of limitations expires, you give up your right to compensation.
Contact a Columbus Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a crash, don’t hesitate to reach out to our law firm in Columbus, OH today. An experienced Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer at Mani, Ellis & Layne, PLLC can help you stand up to the insurance companies and fight for what’s fair.
Highly Rated Motorcycle Shops In Columbus
- Integrity Cycles – 156 Dering Ave, Columbus, OH 43207
- 28 Motorsports – 2897 Johnstown Rd, Columbus, OH 43219
- Cycle Gear – 3635 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43228
- The Cycle Co. – 83 S Skidmore St, Columbus, OH 43215
- Independent Motorsports – 3930 S High St, Columbus, OH 43207
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
