Who’s at Fault in a T-Bone Indiana Motorcycle Accident?
What you’ll learn from this article:
- After a t-bone accident on your motorcycle, establishing fault is an essential part of claiming the compensation you need for your recovery.
- Under Indiana law, you may be able to build a strong accident claim even if you’re partially at fault for the t-bone accident.
- An Indiana motorcycle crash lawyer can help you evaluate your options for successfully securing high-value compensation.
Fatal and non-fatal Indiana motorcycle accidents are on the rise. Contrary to popular belief, motorcyclists aren’t entirely responsible for the trend. Thousands of crashes occur because other motorists slam into motorcycles at intersections and everywhere else on the road.
In a motorcycle-vs.-vehicle crash, the motorcyclist is far more likely than the other driver to be overlooked, run over, flung into the roadway, crushed, and severely injured. Almost 5,000 people die every year in t-bone accidents and thousands more survive yet suffer devastating injuries.
What are Indiana’s Laws About Liability for T-Bone Accidents?
After a crash, it’s essential to determine how your injuries occurred and who had the right of way when the t-bone accident happened. Begin gathering evidence from the scene like photos of skid marks, contact information from witnesses, and information from the responding police officer so you can access the police report later.
In terms of establishing civil liability, Indiana follows the modified comparative fault rule for all traffic accidents including motorcycle accidents. Each party’s share of the blame is calculated and assigned a percentage, with a total of 100%.
If the other party did something negligent or unlawful that led to the crash, they can be held responsible for your costs. You have the right to claim compensation for many types of losses and injuries from your motorcycle accident.
Maximize the value of your claim by including all economic and non-economic damages. Indiana allows personal injury compensation for damages including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Your wrecked motorcycle
- Lost income from missed days of work
- Pain and suffering
- Scars, disfigurement, and permanent impairment
- Wrongful death
Can I Still Claim Compensation if I’m Partially at Fault?
As long as you hold less than 51% of the responsibility for the crash, you have a chance at making a successful claim. Any award you receive will be reduced by your share of liability. If you hold 51% or more responsibility, the law bars you from receiving Indiana motorcycle accident compensation.
For example, consider an intersection accident on your motorcycle where you had the right of way on a green light when a vehicle traveling perpendicular ran the red light and t-boned you. The other driver likely holds 100% of the blame and you can claim 100% compensation for your damages.
Now consider a different scenario where both of you made legal turns at the intersection but clipped each other as you turned. If you’re each found to be 50% at fault, your claimable compensation would be reduced by 50%. Thus you could still receive considerable compensation, but it would be lower than if you had zero liability for the accident.
Does this sound complicated? It is. The complexity of these cases calls for significant legal expertise, which is why so many injured people turn to motorcycle accident lawyers for help.
Do I Need an Indiana Motorcycle Crash Lawyer?
While there’s no law requiring you to hire an attorney, it could be the best decision you ever make. Your Indiana motorcycle accident lawyer can help you review the circumstances of your case to gain perspective on your potential share of liability, advising you on taking the best route to maximum compensation.
Even better, they can help you make a strong case showing how the other driver was responsible for the crash, increasing your odds of a higher-value award at the conclusion of your case. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer understands which evidence you’ll need to make the strongest possible claim while hitting deadlines, submitting paperwork, providing insight, and supporting you throughout your legal journey.
This eases your stress and takes things off your to-do list during a challenging period in your life. Now you can more fully focus on your recovery instead of worrying about the legal details.
Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery – Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
After a motorcycle accident, contact an Indiana motorcycle crash lawyer who has successfully handled cases like yours in the past. Experience matters in complex t-bone motorcycle crashes and you need an attorney with precisely the right kind of legal expertise.
Our strong team of experienced motorcycle accident attorneys can help you understand who’s at fault in your t-bone accident and explain your best options for compensation. Don’t hesitate. One of our attorneys can assist you right away.
Contact Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery at 1-800-265-9881 now for a free t-bone accident case review.