”Drew Palcsik and his team were amazingly helpful, kind, transparent and easy to talk to. They worked hard on my case and were always available to call, email or text!
~ Kevin E.
Our legal team at Champlain Valley Law recently worked with a couple who are motorcycle enthusiasts. They’ve been riding for years without trouble.
One day, at an intersection downtown, a driver blew through a stop sign and crashed into the side of the husband, knocking him over and pinning his leg under the bike. There was no question that the automobile driver was negligent. So instead, the insurance company questioned his injuries.
They wanted to know about his entire medical history. The insurance company claimed that he probably had old injuries or weaknesses that were causing his pain because he was active and fit.
Until we came on board, the insurance company did not take the claim seriously. In the end, I was able to convince the insurance company to pay out the full policy without going to court.
Our legal team at Champlain Valley Law can help you get the compensation you need to recover from your serious motorcycle accident. Whether you’re recovering damages from an insurance settlement, or you need to take the at-fault party to court, you’ll need an experienced personal injury attorney by your side.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Burlington
You can find motorcycles on the streets and highways in and around Burlington during the warmer months of the year. Despite how common they are, other vehicles do not always respect them. Careless automobile driving is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.
Here are some examples of careless driving that could lead to motorcycle accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Unprotected left turn
- Lane splitting
- Sudden stops
- Car doors (getting “doored”)
- Speeding
Additionally, hazardous weather can increase the chances of an accident. For example, conditions that reduce visibility or make surfaces slippery can increase the likelihood of a crash.
If we decide to work together on your case, our team at Champlain Valley Law will draw from our years of experience to investigate the cause of your accident, and move forward with the recovery process from there.
The Claims Process
Vermont requires every motorist to have certain minimum liability coverages.
These include policies that cover the following:
- Injuries to others
- Property damage
- Basic uninsured motorist coverage
For an injured Burlington motorcyclist, the first course of action is often to pursue an insurance claim through the at-fault party’s insurer. An adjuster assigned to the case will conduct an investigation. The investigation primarily determines the extent of the losses, including the severity of bodily injuries and value of the damaged or destroyed property, and which party or parties are at fault. Most insurance companies use formulas to do this.
Once the adjuster determines fault, they may make you a settlement offer. But these settlement offers rarely, if ever, reflect the true extent of your injuries and losses as a result of the accident.
In other cases, the insurance company might refuse to make you a settlement altogether, claiming that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident, or that their covered driver wasn’t responsible.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you through the claims process and advocate for your interests to demand a satisfactory settlement from the insurance company.
How to get a better offer from the insurance company
How a Burlington Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help
If the insurance process fails to provide for your damages, you will need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party to hold them liable in civil court. An experienced attorney will be critical to formulating a legal strategy and executing it as the case moves through the civil court system towards trial.
How a Burlington Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help
If the insurance process fails to provide for your damages, you will need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party to hold them liable in civil court. An experienced attorney will be critical to formulating a legal strategy and executing it as the case moves through the civil court system towards trial.
Here’s how a Burlington motorcycle accident attorney can help:
- We will conduct our own investigation to determine the causes of the accident and who is at fault.
- We will prepare evidence to demonstrate that the at-fault party is responsible for your damages.
- We will document your financial losses as a result of the accident and gather evidence to demonstrate the pain and suffering you have experienced.
- We will present this evidence to the at-fault party and negotiate a settlement.
- If the at-fault party refuses to settle for what you deserve, we will help you file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
- We will then present this evidence in court, to prove the defendant is responsible for your injuries, and convince the jury to award you compensation for your losses.
Contact a Burlington Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
At Champlain Valley Law, we understand what you are going through. We know how to guide you through the legal recovery process and receive the full compensation you deserve.
We will help you file an insurance claim, negotiate with insurers, or file a lawsuit on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get started on your case.
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