Zanesville Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

From 2019 to 2023, 19,544 motorcycle-involved crashes occurred on Ohio roadways. Of these,  5,770 motorcyclists were seriously injured. With fewer physical barriers to protect the body from impact in a collision, the consequences of a motorcycle accident are often more likely to be devastating.

Many riders understand the risks of riding, but fewer realize that Ohio law may allow them to pursue financial compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other losses after a crash. At Graham Law, our Zanesville motorcycle accident attorneys represent injured riders and their families in Zanesville, Cambridge, and throughout the state.

Our firm prioritizes your legal needs so that you can focus on your recovery. With offices in both Zanesville and Cambridge, plus virtual meeting options, we make it easier for riders to get help without traveling far from home. Contact us today to find out what your legal options are.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Ohio

Road users in Muskingum County and throughout Ohio have a legal duty to conduct themselves with reasonable care, taking actions to prevent possible injuries. When a person fails to act with reasonable care, they may be found negligent. If their negligent actions cause injury to another, they may be liable for the damages the injured party has sustained as a result.

Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Ohio include:

• A driver’s consumption of drugs and/or alcohol
• Speeding
• Failure to obey traffic signals, including yield signs
• Inattentive driving (eg, texting at the wheel)
• Fatigue
• And more

Adverse events outside a road user’s control, such as poor weather conditions, may also contribute to the risk of a collision. Drivers are expected to make reasonable efforts to prevent an accident due to environmental factors. This may include installing winter tires, ensuring their headlights are operational, and driving slowly in heavy rain.

In some collisions, fault is shared between multiple parties, or the details are not immediately clear. Our Zanesville motorcycle accident attorneys can review police reports, crash data, witness statements, and photographs to help clarify what happened and who may be responsible.

Serious Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Ohio

Motorcycle collisions are more likely than many passenger-vehicle crashes to result in life-changing injuries. Riders face direct impact with other vehicles, the pavement, or roadside objects, which can lead to complex trauma.

Common injuries in motorcycle crashes include:

• Fractures and broken bones
• Cuts and lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Burns
• Road rash
• Rider’s arm
• Internal bleeding
• Dental injuries
• Amputation
• And more

These injuries often require emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and long-term follow-up. They can also disrupt careers, family life, and day-to-day independence. Our Zanesville motorcycle accident attorneys work to document both the medical and non-medical impact of a crash so insurers and, if necessary, a jury understand the full picture.

How Are Motorcycle Accident Claims Different From Car Accident Claims?

At first glance, a motorcycle crash might seem like any other traffic accident: there is a collision, an insurance claim, and sometimes a lawsuit. In reality, motorcycle accident claims often look very different from car accident claims in Ohio, both in terms of injuries and how insurers approach them.

One key difference is the severity of injuries. Riders have far less physical protection than drivers in passenger vehicles. Even at relatively low speeds, a motorcyclist may be thrown from the bike and suffer broken bones, head injuries, or significant road rash. That usually means more extensive medical treatment, longer recovery times, and a greater risk of permanent limitations compared to the average car crash.

Insurance companies also tend to treat motorcycle cases differently. Adjusters sometimes rely on stereotypes that portray riders as reckless or assume the motorcyclist must have done something wrong. That can affect how fault is evaluated and how initial settlement offers are calculated. Our Muskingum County motorcycle accident attorneys work to push back against unfair assumptions and focus the conversation on the actual evidence.

There are practical differences, too:

• Visibility and “I didn’t see you” defenses. In motorcycle cases, drivers frequently claim they never saw the bike before turning, changing lanes, or pulling out. We often need to focus on line of sight, lighting, traffic patterns, and driver attention in a way that is less common in typical car-versus-car crashes.
• Crash dynamics and reconstruction. The way a motorcycle lays down, slides, or separates from the rider can change how the crash must be analyzed. Investigators may look closely at skid marks, gouge marks, and damage to riding gear to understand what happened.
• Helmet and gear issues. In car accident claims, there is usually no debate about helmets or protective gear. In motorcycle claims, insurers may try to argue that the rider’s choice of helmet or clothing contributed to the severity of injuries. Ohio law and the medical evidence both matter when addressing those arguments.
• Bias in front of juries. If a case goes to trial, potential jurors sometimes come in with strong feelings—positive or negative—about motorcycles. Presenting your story in a clear, respectful, and fact-focused way is especially important in motorcycle cases.

From case strategy to settlement negotiations, these differences mean that motorcycle claims require a tailored approach. At Graham Law, we draw on our experience with both motorcycle and car accident claims to explain how the law applies to riders and to pursue the compensation that reflects the true impact of a motorcycle crash on your life.

What to Do If You Have Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident

The steps you take after a motorcycle crash can affect both your health and any future legal claim. The first and most important action you can take after any personal injury is to make sure you receive medical attention. Even if you do not believe your injuries are serious, visit your doctor as soon as possible after the collision. Some injuries take time to reveal their full scope, especially in the initial shock. If you choose to pursue a personal injury claim, having an official medical record may likewise be vital evidence.

If you are able, record as much information as possible while you are at the scene of the accident. The names and contact information of other parties involved in the collision, as well as those of witnesses. Photos and videos of the accident scene may also be helpful.

If a roadside collision has caused an injury that needs medical attention or property damage in excess of $1,000, Ohio state law requires you to call the police. A police report may likewise prove useful evidence in a personal injury claim.

It’s important that you avoid arguing about fault at the scene or making assumptions about what happened. Instead, you should contact a Zanesville personal injury attorney as soon as you can to discuss your options before you speak with insurance adjusters in detail.

How a Zanesville Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help Injured Victims

Ohio is a “fault” state in terms of roadside collisions, meaning the driver responsible for the accident is liable for the damages that the accident causes. If you are a motorcycle rider who has been injured as a result of another vehicle operator’s actions, you may be eligible to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.

In such cases, our motorcycle accident attorneys in Zanesville can:

• Investigate how the crash happened by reviewing crash reports, scene photos, and, when appropriate, consulting crash reconstruction experts.
• Identify all potentially responsible parties, including a negligent driver, an at-fault employer, or a bar that overserved an impaired driver.
• Gather medical records, billing statements, and wage information to calculate your economic losses.
• Work with you, your doctors, and sometimes experts to document your pain, limitations, and long-term needs.
• Deal with the insurance companies on your behalf and negotiate for a fair settlement.
• File a lawsuit and prepare for trial when a reasonable settlement is not offered voluntarily.
• And more

Even if you are partially at fault for an accident, you may still recover some compensation. In accordance with laws on comparative negligence in Ohio personal injury claims, a motorcycle rider may recover an amount commensurate to the percentage of their responsibility for the given accident. For example, if you are found to be 15% responsible for the collision, you might receive 15% less than the total settlement amount.

What may be possible in calculating and negotiating a settlement depends on a wide array of factors specific to each case. Let us help you pursue meaningful compensation.

Book a Free Case Review With Our Zanesville Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can overturn the lives of riders and their loved ones. At Graham Law, we prioritize compassionate, detail-oriented service. Our goal is to address your concerns and get you the compensation you deserve.

To speak with a motorcycle accident attorney in Zanesville or Cambridge:

• Call us at (740) 454-8585
• Or request a free case review online

There is no charge to talk with us about your options, and no obligation to move forward.

Here are some common questions that we get asked.
Each legal case is unique, so we recommend you contact us for specific advice.