If you’ve been in an accident with another vehicle and it’s the other person’s fault, you can sue to recover damages from any injuries you sustained. Rear-end accidents are not uncommon; according to the Insurance Information Institute, they make up the second highest fatality rates for collisions with another moving vehicle. In 2020, there were 2,428 rear-end fatalities, or 6.8% of the total fatal crashes in that category.

A rear-end accident can be anything from a tap in bumper-to-bumper traffic to hitting a stopped car at high speed. Either way, if you are traveling on a motorcycle, your likelihood of injury increases. Motorcyclists lack the protection of large vehicles that other drivers have. In a motorcycle accident, even a smaller hit can send someone off their bike and in a very unsafe position. It’s imperative for both motorcycle riders and others to be hyper-aware of their surroundings to prevent rear-end motorcycle accidents.

If you have been injured in a rear-end motorcycle accident, the first place to start is with a lawyer. They can discuss the specifics of your case and help you understand what you can sue for. Do not try and recover alone. The team of motorcycle accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long has years of experience and we’ve won millions of dollars for accident victims. Contact us today for a free consultation — we don’t make any money unless we win your case.

Why Do Rear-End Motorcycle Collisions Happen?

A rear-end motorcycle accident can happen for a variety of reasons. Maybe the driver behind you was distracted by texting, or eating or drinking in their car. Maybe they were speeding and miscalculated the distance they would need to safely stop before your motorcycle. They could be under the influence, following too closely, inexperienced and more.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, rear-end crashes make up 32% of crashes at an intersection. On top of that, 95% of intersection car accidents were in some way caused by human error.

Here are just some of the reasons a rear-end motorcycle crash might occur:

At-fault driver is following too closely and is unable to stop in time when a red light or other obstruction in the road occurs.
At-fault driver is distracted. This could include anything from texting to talking to another passenger, zoning out, or playing with the GPS or radio.
At-fault driver is speeding and therefore unable to stop before causing a rear-end car accident
At-fault driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and therefore is unable to make safe and quick decisions when operating their vehicle.

Regardless of the reason, and these are just a few, if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you can recover compensation for your injuries.

How Do I File a Motorcycle Accident Case?

The first thing you will need to do with a lawyer is to prove negligence. To have a successful motorcycle accident settlement, you will need to prove:

The other driver was at-fault for the accident
Due to their negligence, you sustained injuries in the rear-end motorcycle accident
You are owed damages for those injuries, which were a direct result of the at-fault driver’s negligence.

In many cases, it’s easier to prove fault in rear-end accident cases. Generally, the driver in the rear is considered the one who is at fault for causing the accident. However, there are exceptions to this rule and an experienced accident lawyer can help you understand the details of your specific case.

Steps to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim

Once you and your lawyer have determined you were not at fault for your accident, and therefore you are owed compensation, there are a few general steps your case will likely go through. Many people want to know how long this process takes, from filing to getting compensation. The reality is no lawyer can tell you that exactly – there are a lot of variables in every case.

Filing the Claim: First, you will work with your lawyer to determine an appropriate value to ask of your insurance company. Insurance companies often don’t want to pay out anything to accident victims, it’s not in their best interest. So you will need a lawyer with the expertise and determination to battle these large companies and their red tape.
Negotiations: In some cases, the insurance company agrees with your assessment and will award you the full amount you are asking for. In the event they do not agree, they will come back with their suggested amount. This is when your experienced motorcycle accident attorney will step in and use their skills to negotiate a fair settlement.
Trial: Most rear-end motorcycle accident cases do not ever go to trial. The vast majority of cases are settled out of court between you and your lawyer and insurance company. However, if you need to go to court, make sure you have a lawyer who is prepared to go to trial. In a trial, they can call upon witnesses, experts, and more to prove your injuries were due to the negligence of another party.
Settlement: Whether you’ve settled out of court or after a trial, this is the final phase. Once you have either agreed on a settlement or the court has assigned one, your insurance company is responsible for paying out damages to help you recover from your injuries.

What Should I Do if I Get Rear-Ended on a Motorcycle

What happens if you are a motorcyclist who has been rear-ended in a car accident? Here are the best practices for what to do at a motorcycle accident scene:

Call 911. You will want to make sure the accident scene is properly documented by the authorities. They can also get you any medical attention you may need.
Share contact information. This means gathering information from anyone else involved in the accident as well as any witnesses.
Seek medical care. An accident makes adrenaline increase in your system, which can mask the pain from sustained injuries. Or in some cases, your injuries are internal. Regardless of how you feel at the moment, it’s imperative you get checked out by a medical professional. This will also be critical in proving your injuries during a personal injury case.
Do not admit fault to other passengers, witnesses, or the police.
Document everything. Take photos of the accident scene. Keep a record of all the medical attention you receive, including bills, prescriptions, and over-the-counter medicines. Also include correspondence with your employer and any lost wages and time spent traveling to appointments.
Call a lawyer. The first call you might get is from your insurance company shortly after a motorcycle accident (or maybe you called them). Do not accept an offer from your insurance company before consulting with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Your insurance company doesn’t have your best interests in mind, so you’ll want to make sure you have someone fighting for you.

Common Rear-End Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Maybe you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper Beltway traffic, or even just stopped at a red light in your neighborhood. Rear-end motorcycle accidents can happen at any time. You can never predict who you are sharing the road with any time you are driving.

The risks of an accident with more severe injuries are even greater if you’re a motorcycle rider who doesn’t have the same protection as someone driving a passenger vehicle. For that reason, it could be more likely for a rear-end collision involving a motorcycle to end in injuries.

Here are just a few of the most common injuries that happen to motorcyclists in rear-end car accidents:

Traumatic Brain Injury or skull fracture
Spinal injuries
Whiplash
Broken or fractured bones, limbs
Soft tissue damage
Road rash or scraped skin
Internal injuries
Back injuries

Should I Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

The short answer is: Yes. Anytime you need to recover compensation after an accident, you should have someone with experience fighting by your side. A DC, Maryland, and Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer can ensure you aren’t being taken advantage of by your insurance company and that you get every penny you are owed to go back to living a normal life.

If you’re an injured motorcycle rider in the DC metro area, you should not fight against big insurance companies on your own. It doesn’t matter how good your motorcycle coverage is; your insurance company will act in their own interests. They may do everything they can to not pay compensation for motorcycle accident victims. This is where an experienced DC, Maryland, and Virginia motorcycle accident attorney will be critical.

How Can a DC, Maryland, or Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help My Case?

A lawyer will know better what to look for as they dig into the details of your accident. They also have expertise in understanding what you are owed. This amount can include everything from doctors’ visits to pain and suffering. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will want to evaluate:

Medical bills, lost wages (including potential future income)
Pain and suffering or impact on the quality of life
Any necessary rehabilitation or physical therapy
Wrongful death cases for family members of the deceased

At Regan Zambri Long, we have a team of experienced DC motorcycle accident lawyers who can help you recover. With years of experience, let us use our knowledge, expertise, and connections to win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation so we can discuss the specifics of your case. We only get paid if we win your case.

A Regan Zambri Long Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help

There are a variety of reasons a motorcyclist riding around DC, Maryland, or Virginia could find themselves in an accident. On a motorcycle, you have to be hyper-aware of your surroundings and the other drivers on the road. Your smaller vehicle offers less protection and is easier to be missed by fellow drivers.

If you’ve been in an accident with a car, truck, or even another motorcycle rider, and it was not your fault, we can help. At Regan Zambri Long, we have a team of accident attorneys to make sure you can recover from your injuries and go back to normal life.

If you’ve been in a rear-end motorcycle accident, work with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long. For years, our team of accident attorneys has been helping motorcycle accident victims recover lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Contact us today for a free consultation. We don’t make anything unless we win your case.

Can You Sue for a Rear-End Motorcycle Collision?