Motorcycle Accident Injuries Can Be Severe

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 160 motorcycle accident fatalities in 2019. Of those 160 fatalities, 45 were wearing helmets. Accidents involving motorcycles often lead to devastating injuries, in most cases for the rider of the motorcycle. Motorcyclists have little protection when a motor vehicle collides with them even when they are wearing a helmet. This is why a very high percentage of all motorcycle accidents result in some sort of serious injury or fatality of the motorcyclist.

The Ohio personal injury lawyers at Schiff & Associates have helped motorcycle accident victims who have sustained serious injuries such as:

• Spinal cord injuries

• Broken bones or dislocated bones

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Severe road rash or lacerations

• Amputations

• Internal bleeding and organ damage

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Ohio as soon as possible. Schiff & Associates has been helping victims of automobile and motorcycle accidents since 1982. We are experienced in Ohio traffic law and personal injury cases. 

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Ohio

Schiff & Associates works tirelessly to get you the settlement that you deserve. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident we help fight for your rights and compensation which includes:

• All crash related medical costs

• Lost wages when injuries or recovery prevent you from working

• General daily living and out-of-pocket expenses

• Pain-and-suffering

Scott Schiff and the team of accident lawyers at Schiff & Associates have the resources and expertise to fully assess all costs associated with the negligence and liability associated in motorcycle accident injuries. We work with medical experts and accident investigators to build the strongest case possible for you.

Schiff & Associates brings the trusted legal representation you need to automobile, motorcycle accident and personal injury cases. You can have confidence and our more than 35 years of courtroom and settlement negotiation experience. Contact us for a free consultation, we represent you on a contingency basis so there are never any fees unless we make a recovery for you.

Source: https://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/statistics/statspage3.asp

Motorcycles and Car Accidents: Why You Need a Lawyer

The freedom of the open road and the wind in your face is a thrill that motorcycle riders love. Unfortunately, the thrill can also lead to very dangerous situations and debilitating or deadly accidents. When a motorcycle rider is in an accident, either with another vehicle or skidding off a road, they are much more likely to encounter more severe injuries or death as opposed to a driver of an automobile. 

If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle accident and experienced slight or serious injury, it is important that you consult with a car accident attorney experienced in motorcycle accidents. Severe injuries may occur from a motorcycle accident such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, loss of limbs or loss of life. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

There are various causes of motorcycle accidents as well as car accidents, although the outcomes can be very different. Some of the most common cause of motorcycle accidents include:

• Unsafe road conditions – roads that are slick or wet may be risky when riding a motorcycle, as well as roads that have been damaged and are not repaired.

• Animals in or crossing the road – coming across an animal in the road suddenly could cause a motorcycle accident.

• Drunk or impaired driving – impairment from alcohol either on the part of the motorcycle rider or the driver of a vehicle are often the cause of an accident.

• Road rage – driver aggression is a common cause of many accidents on the road and riders of motorcycles encounter the same driver aggression as drivers of automobiles.

• Illegal turning – this is a common cause of a motorcycle accident and happens when someone is turning left and does not signal their intention. A rider may continue straight through an intersection only to be hit by a driver who did not signal their turn.

Determining who was at fault after a motorcycle accident can be tricky. Proving fault may not always be clear and could be difficult to prove. This is one of the biggest reasons for obtaining an experienced automobile and motorcycle accident attorney.

Schiff & Associates for all Motor Vehicle Accidents

Schiff & Associates is recognized as a leading car accident attorney in Ohio, with over 35 years of experience. We provide the legal expertise you need to win your claim including investigative services. We’ll get to the bottom of who was to blame and hold any negligent party responsible. 

Our experienced team is skilled in all negotiation and litigation, standing by your side every step of the way until you receive the compensation you deserve. If you have experienced any type of personal injury, car accident or an accident at work, Schiff & Associates will get the settlement you deserve.

Schiff & Associates has the experience and the expertise necessary to help you through any accident case for the compensation you deserve. We know that your financial recovery is critical to your physical recovery. Contact us for a free consultation and learn more about what your case is worth and how we can help with motorcycle and car accident claims.

When to Call a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

It’s that time of year when we see a lot of motorcycles on the road. Motorcyclists enjoy the freedom of the open road although there is an increased risk of injury if in an accident with a vehicle. This danger could be from a negligent driver and have nothing to do with the biker. 

Here are a few tips to motorists to avoid an accident with a motorcycle:

• Always be on the lookout for motorcycles

• Avoid distracted driving

• Keep your view of any motorcyclist unobstructed

• Continually check your mirrors

• Never anticipate a motorcyclist’s movements

Motorcyclists must be constantly aware of the risk from negligent motorists although they should not take responsibility for the harm they cause.

How Motorcyclists Can Protect Themselves

Motorcyclists must also do whatever they can to protect themselves while riding. Wearing the right protective gear is crucial to protect yourself in the event of an accident. Bikers should always wear the following when riding:

• Helmet – full coverage

• Jacket with reinforced padding

• Leather boots

• Pants with padding

• Thick gloves

Bikers should try to protect their spine and shoulder areas as they take the brunt force when thrown from a motorcycle. Bikers should also practice defensive driving techniques to avoid an accident with other vehicles:

• Never be aggressive

• Know the rules of the road

• Pay attention and scan the area as you ride

• Know your route and keep a clear view of the street ahead of you

• Maintain your motorcycle to prevent breaking down on the side of the road

If you are involved in an accident, try to call 911 and get help as soon as possible. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney should be contacted right away to begin your personal injury claim. Even if you feel your injuries are only minor, do not hesitate in seeking medical treatment. Some soft tissue injuries and whiplash may cause damage to the spine or brain that is not evident immediately. 

Call an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are able, after an accident be sure to get the other driver’s information and see if there were any witnesses. Take pictures of the motorist’s driver’s license and of the scene if you can. Do not speak to the insurance company of the other driver until you have contacted your own car accident lawyer. 

Schiff & Associates is a personal injury lawyer in Columbus, OH with over 35 years of experience. We have the expertise necessary including medical experts and investigators to help you receive the maximum compensation due to you under the law. We understand how difficult this time is and help to obtain financial recovery so you can focus on your physical recovery. 

Schiff & Associates provides free consultations and works with you on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we make a financial recovery for you. Contact the experienced law firm of Schiff & Associates for any personal injury, vehicle or motorcycle accident.

Information You Need to Know After a Motor Vehicle Accident

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, one of the most important things you can do is to stay calm.  If anyone is hurt, you need to immediately call an ambulance and always call the police.  If the police do not show up, you still need to file a police report as well as to notify your insurance company. 

At the scene of the accident, you should try to move the vehicle out of the way if possible and keep yourself and others out of the way of moving traffic.  You need to exchange information with the other driver/drivers including names, drivers’ license numbers, phone numbers, addresses, insurance companies, policy numbers and license plate’s numbers.  Also you will want to take down the information regarding the vehicle/vehicles involved in the accident including the make, model year and color of the care.  Experts recommend that you protect your I.D. and that you do not hand them to another driver or let them photograph your driver’s license.

Record the location where the accident occurred and the details of how the accident happened. Use your smart phone to take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and to the other vehicles.  If there are witnesses to the accident, you should get a statement from them as well as their names and phone numbers.   

If you or your family’s injuries are non-critical, seek medical attention as soon as possible.   Even if you feel you were not hurt in the accident, it is still a good idea to see your doctor as symptoms may not show up for a few days.  

Schiff & Associates is an experienced personal injury law firm with a long history of recovering the maximum compensation for our clients for injuries and property damage that occurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident.  Please visit our website to learn more.

The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

What to Expect in a Personal Injury Case

The American Bar Association (ABA) states that the most common personal injury case involves a motor vehicle accident.  When the injury is determined to be the result of another driver’s negligence or other factors, the injured party has the right to recoup losses and damages.

Personal injury cases also can be broader than negligence such as with strict liability, which “holds designers and manufacturers strictly liable for injuries from defective products.”  With these types of cases, an injured person does not have to establish negligence but rather just needs to “show that the product was designed or manufactured in a manner that made it unreasonably dangerous when used as intended.”

Once you file a lawsuit, you become known as the plaintiff and the person responsible for the accident becomes the defendant.  At this point the attorneys for each side including the insurer begin the pre-trial process known as discovery.  This involves the gathering of facts based on verbal and written interrogations and depositions that are done in person and under oath along with any other type of relevant documentation. 

Most cases get settled during negotiations and only a small percent of personal injury cases ever go to trial.   If your case does go to trial and you win, the judge or jury awards you the money, which is known as damages.  The damages you receive can include compensation for things like medical costs, lost wages and future wage losses, pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages.

By settling a case, it means you have agreed to drop any future proceedings against the defendant and will be required to sign a release stating such intentions.  The ABA cautions that every state has their own “statutes of limitations,’ that govern the period during which you must file a personal injury lawsuit” so it is important to consult with a personal injury lawyer ASAP.  Please visit Schiff & Associates to learn how our experienced legal services can help you.

The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

Source:americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_issues_for_consumers/injury_lawsuit.html

Seriously Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

Even though statistics indicate that motorcycle accidents occur at about the same rate as other passenger vehicle accidents, the injuries are often much more severe on a motorcycle.  In fact the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that “per mile traveled in 2014, the number of deaths on motorcycles was over 27 times the number in cars.”  Their statistics indicate that a total of 4,693 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2015.  

If you were seriously injured or have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident that was due to someone else’s negligence, you need legal representative from an experienced personal injury or wrongful death attorney.  As the most trusted attorneys in the Columbus area, Schiff & Associates has decades of experience fighting to get our clients fair compensation.   Our team has successfully litigated motorcycle accident cases involving loss of life as well as serious personal injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and more.     

We know that in many cases motorcycle accidents can be a result of another driver’s lack of attention or negligence and our attorneys have the experience to determine who should pay.  Compensation may include covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other costs associated with the accident.  By partnering with accident investigators and medical experts, our team works to build a strong case to hold the responsible party liable.

Schiff & Associates offers a free consultation to discuss your case.  In addition, you will not be responsible for any legal costs or attorney fees until we recover a financial settlement.  Our case results clearly demonstrate our ability to succeed in negotiating, or when necessary taking the case to trial, and we would like to help you and your family through what we know is a very difficult time. 

The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Contact us for information regarding legal services from the best personal injury lawyer Columbus Ohio has to offer.

Source: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/motorcycles/fatalityfacts/motorcycles   

Experienced in Every Type of Motor Vehicle Accidents

At Schiff & Associates we have extensive experience in all types of motor vehicle accidents and can help if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence.  Our areas of expertise range from driver fatigue, drunk driver accidents, low speed accidents, side impact and rear-end collisions, and motorcycle accidents.  Our website also provides expert advice on what to do after an accident. 

We know that careless, reckless, and negligent or criminally negligent drivers can cause car accidents that lead to serious injuries and even wrongful deaths.  If your accident is someone else’s fault, they may be legally responsible for a broad range of expenses associated with your injury.  Costs may include medical expenses as well as compensation for property damage, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, lost wages, and punitive damages.

Furthermore, did you know driver fatigue is one of the biggest factors in trucking accidents? While federal regulations exist to protect the public from truckers on the road for too many hours, you need an experienced attorney to help prove driver fatigue caused the accident.  The same goes if you are involved in accident with a drunk driver.  At Schiff & Associates our attorneys are experienced in truckers’ driving regulations and Ohio’s DUI and liquor licensing laws.

Even low speed car, truck, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents can result in injuries such as whiplash, concussions, bone fractures, lacerations, back injuries and more.  Often these types of injuries may initially appear to be minor, but can cause problems and complications weeks or months after the accident.

We encourage you to speak to one of our attorneys before you talk to an insurer or settle a claim.  Please see our website to learn all about Schiff & Associates expertise in all types of motor vehicle accidents and remember your initial case evaluation and consultation is free.

The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today for information regarding legal services from the best personal injury lawyer Columbus Ohio has to offer.

Protect Your Interest with a Personal Injury Lawyer at Your Side

It is generally not a good idea to deal with an insurance company without a personal injury attorney at your side.  All too often companies pressure unrepresented claimants into taking small settlement amounts in exchange for a full release of liability.  They recognize that unless you have the resources and knowledge to effectively take them on alone, it is a tough thing to do.  However one of the problems of a quick settlement is that if your injuries take a turn for the worse in the future, you are out of luck in terms of going back to them for monetary compensation.   

During Schiff & Associates’ long history of fighting to get our clients fair compensation for their injuries; we know that all too often the long-term effects of those injuries are not fully understood.  Many of our clients require ongoing medical treatment and these types of costs may not be reflected in a quick settlement between you and an insurance company.

A fair settlement needs to include costs such as medical bills already incurred as well as any future medical costs.  It also needs to include compensation for things such as property damage, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, lost wages, and in some cases, even punitive damages.

As experienced attorneys, we always recommend that our clients do not settle any claim until they have had a thorough evaluation by the proper medical doctors.  Furthermore, our team of experts is not intimidated or deterred by big insurance companies and we will work hard to get you the full compensation you deserve whether it is by negotiating a settlement or taking your case to trial.   Your initial consultation with us if free and you will not pay any attorney costs or fees unless we successfully recover compensation.

The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Contact us for more information on expert legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

Tips to Avoid Hiring a Bad Attorney

The Balance, an about.com brand website, shares some tips on how to avoid hiring a bad attorney.  For the countless number of talented and highly competent attorneys practicing law today, there are some lawyers, who for a variety of reasons will not provide you with the best representation. 

Some of the qualities that separate ineffective attorneys from competent, professional ones are poor work habits.  The Balance’s advice is to be aware of things like phone calls and emails not being returned in a timely manner.  Another warning sign is missing deadlines, especially for important court filings.  Also avoid hiring an attorney who is hard to work with or one who too quickly promises a victory.

Your attorney’s offices also say a lot about them.  Do they appear to be organized and efficiently run as well as adequately staffed? 

In addition your bill should clearly explain what tasks were performed, by whom and when.  If you are being billed for a phone call, you are entitled to know who made the call, who they talked to, and what was the nature and duration of the call.  Also be on the lookout for hidden expenses that were not included in your initial agreement.

At Schiff & Associates you can rest easy on all of the above concerns.  As leading personal injury attorneys, we have over 30 years of experience successfully helping clients in the Columbus, Ohio area.  Take a look at our website where you will find testimonials from past clients and extensive bios of our attorneys.  We also list a small sampling of some of our actual case results.  Finally at Schiff & Associates, your first consultation and case evaluation is free.  Since we work on a contingency basis, you will not pay any legal fees or attorney costs unless we recover compensation.

The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today to learn how Columbus, Ohio’s leading slip and fall attorney can help.

Source: thebalance.com/how-to-avoid-a-bad-lawyer-2164684

Get the Help You Need in the Event of a Wrongful Death

When the very worst happens and you lose a loved one from someone else’s negligence, you need the services of an experienced wrongful death attorney.  At Schiff & Associates, we know that no amount of money makes up for the loss of a loved one, but a fair settlement can help to relief some of the financial burden.   

Our attorneys are extremely experienced and have successfully litigated many cases of wrongful death.  We recognize that losing a loved one can impact your current as well as future income and the ability to provide for your family.  We also know that a settlement can help with other related costs such as guidance, advice, or counsel, and if warranted, we may pursue punitive damages.

Your initial consultation and case evaluation with one of our expert wrongful death attorneys is free.  Furthermore, as we work on a contingency basis, you will not be charged for any attorney fees or cost unless we recover compensation. 

We have over thirty years’ experience, and are proud to have been recognized in 2013 by Time Magazine as one of the “top personal injury firms in the United States.”  Along with our experienced attorneys, our team includes an attorney-CPA, a special investigator, and knowledgeable paralegals and legal assistants.  We also maintain a professional relationship with a group of respected specialists and utilize their expertise to assist us with your case.  Our attorneys prepare your case as if it is going to trial so we are ready to negotiate a fair settlement, or take your case before a judge and jury if need be. 

Schiff & Associates has a successful record of helping clients get the compensation they deserve in the event of a wrongful death.  Visit our site to learn more about our respectful, professional, and compassionate legal services.

Since 1982, Schiff & Associates’ experienced attorneys have provided trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.    Contact us for more information on expert legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.