Most motorcycle accidents involve another car or object, but sometimes it’s just you and the asphalt. In these solo accidents, liability can be tricky. You’d be left with the question, “Was it my own riding, or could something else be at fault?”
The motorcycle accident lawyers from Cory Watson Attorneys can help you through this trying time. They will help you figure out the answer to this question and also ensure that the right liable party pays up.
In any case, here are some liable parties you can sue for compensation:
The Manufacturer
Product liability might come into play when a motorcycle accident only involves the rider. This will only work if the accident stemmed from a defect in the motorcycle itself.
If the motorcycle’s design is flawed, it can lead to malfunctions that cause the crash. Also, if defective materials were used in the manufacturing of the motorcycle, there would surely be grounds for a lawsuit.
Or perhaps they did a horrible job assembling the parts of the motorcycle, which led to the parts coming off while the motorcycle was in operation.
All of these are examples of situations where a manufacturer can be held liable for a single-rider accident. However, you should know that you would need to invest in a lawyer.
These manufacturing companies might have quality legal representation ready to fight tooth and nail to ensure that you get little to no compensation. Even if you do not have the funds to hire a lawyer, opt for one who works on a contingency basis.
The Mechanic
You trust your mechanic to ensure that your bike is in good condition. But sometimes, these mechanics themselves could be responsible for your accident.
Perhaps they installed a faulty part for you or made a critical mistake that caused the bike to malfunction while you were on the road, thereby leading to your crash. If it is proven that your mechanic’s negligence caused your accident, you can hold them liable and demand compensation.
The Road Authorities
If you swerved to avoid losing control on an uneven pavement or to dodge a massive pothole, the road itself is to blame. In cases like this, you can sue road authorities for compensation.
Taking authorities to court is always a complex and challenging step. But if it is proven that their negligence was a significant factor in your accident, you would be able to hold them liable for the accident.
You would have to prove that they did know about the dangerous road condition and failed to maintain it. A competent road accident lawyer is an arsenal in a lawsuit like this. It would be suicidal to go up against the authorities by yourself in court.
The Landowner
Accidents don’t happen only on public roads. If your motorcycle accident occurred on private property, the landowner could be partially liable under specific circumstances. Maybe they had a hidden cable stretched across a pathway that you couldn’t see. Or, perhaps they failed to fix a missing fence near a steep drop-off.
So long as the landowner failed to warn you about these unexpected dangers, they can be held partially liable for the pain or damages you suffered.
A Third Party
This doesn’t happen commonly, but there can be situations where someone who was not directly involved in the accident can be held liable for a single-rider accident.
For example, if a dog suddenly darts out onto the road, causing the rider to swerve and crash, the dog’s owner might be held partially responsible, depending on the specific situation and leash laws in your area.
Conclusion
Even though nobody else was around when things went south, someone else might have had a hand in it happening in the first place.
You should contact your lawyer immediately if you believe any of these situations above apply to your case.
