Akron Motorcycle Accident Lawyer | Gervelis Law Firm
Motorcycle accidents are among the most dangerous motor vehicle accidents on Ohio roadways. Injuries from motorcycle accidents are often far more severe than accidents involving only cars because motorcyclists have significantly less protection from an impact. Many riders get thrown from their bikes and suffer serious injuries like road rash, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and even death.
Legally Reviewed by:
Mark S. Gervelis, Esq.
Last Updated:
- November 13, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Why Should I Choose the Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Gervelis Law Firm?
- Who is Liable in an Akron Motorcycle Accident Case?
How Do You Prove Negligence in an Akron Motorcycle Accident Case?
Do I Still Have a Case If I Wasn’t Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet?
What Compensation Can I Receive for an Akron Motorcycle Accident Case?
Many motorcycle accidents result from distracted driving, driving under the influence, tailgating, and disobeying traffic laws. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Akron, you may be eligible to recover significant compensation from those whose negligence or recklessness caused the crash.
At Gervelis Law Firm, our skilled and experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Our Akron personal injury law office is centrally located on West Market Street. We are here for you when you need us most.
Why Should I Choose the Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Gervelis Law Firm?
For nearly 25 years, Gervelis Law Firm has been fighting for the rights of accident victims and recovering millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Our deep knowledge of local, state, and federal law gives us an edge, and our track record of success demonstrates it.
Our Case Results and Settlements
- $3,499,000 recovered for the family of a motorcyclist who became entangled in wires as a cable company was installing cables across a two-lane roadway with no warning signs. The motorcyclist hit the wires at 35 miles per hour and died from his injuries.
- $1,000,000 recovered for a motorcyclist who was hit by a car and ejected from his bike on impact, causing fractures that required multiple surgeries. The motorcyclist was struck in an intersection when an oncoming driver turned left into this path.
- $500,000 recovered for the family of a motorcyclist who was traveling in a residential neighborhood when an appliance delivery truck pulled in front of him. The motorcyclist sustained fatal injuries in the accident.
After a motorcycle accident, an attorney will investigate the circumstances of the crash, collect evidence, determine fault, interview witnesses and experts, determine the value of your case, negotiate with insurers, and, if necessary, take your case to trial.
At Gervelis Law Firm, our Akron motorcycle accident attorneys provide personalized attention to each client, focusing on your well-being as much as the law. We operate on a contingency fee basis, so you’ll pay us nothing unless and until we win your case.
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Our Akron Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Firm founder Mark S. Gervelis is certified in trial advocacy by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification. He has been practicing law in Ohio since 1976 and has been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top attorneys in Ohio from 2007 through 2012 and from 2014 through 2016. Mark’s areas of expertise include plaintiff personal injury, wrongful death, and product liability law.
A lifelong Ohio resident raised in Akron, David Michael Tschantz has been practicing civil litigation at Gervelis since 2011. He focuses on representing car, truck, and motorcycle accident victims, including cases involving complex orthopedic injuries, brain injuries, and wrongful death. David attended John Carroll University in Cleveland for undergraduate studies before receiving his law degree from the University of Akron School of Law. He was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2014 through 2016.
Before joining the Gervelis team in 2015, Stephanie M. Mehle received a bachelor’s degree in political science and justice studies from Kent State University and her J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law. She represents people injured in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, including those with catastrophic injuries.
Who is Liable in an Akron Motorcycle Accident Case?
Ohio is an at-fault state, which means that the person who caused your motorcycle accident is financially responsible for its effects on your life. The at-fault driver’s insurance coverage typically pays for the losses caused by the driver.
Various parties may be responsible for a motorcycle accident. Among those who may be liable are the following:
- Negligent, careless, or reckless motorists
- Manufacturers of defective vehicle parts
- Negligent mechanics
- Government entities responsible for road maintenance
Ohio follows a comparative negligence system, meaning the fault will be apportioned among all those responsible for an accident. If a party shares more than 50 percent of the blame for the accident, they can’t recover any damages, regardless of whether they were injured. However, if the person’s share of fault is 50 percent or less, they can recover damages. However, the amount of recoverable compensation is reduced by their share of the blame.
How Do You Prove Negligence in an Akron Motorcycle Accident Case?
Proving negligence is essential to win a payout from the liable party’s insurance company. To prove a driver’s negligence, you must establish the following four elements:
- Duty of care: You must prove that the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care. Motorists have a legal duty to act reasonably and avoid harming others on the road.
- Breach of duty: You must prove that the at-fault driver breached their duty of care through negligence, carelessness, or recklessness.
- Causation: You must prove that the accident caused you injuries.
- Damages: You must prove that your injuries caused losses such as medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Do I Still Have a Case If I Wasn’t Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet?
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident and did not wear a helmet, you may still be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries. Ohio law only requires motorcyclists to wear helmets if they are under 18. It does not require adults to wear helmets to operate motorcycles in the state unless they are in their first year after receiving their license or are operating the bike with a temporary permit.
What Compensation Can I Receive for an Akron Motorcycle Accident Case?
Motorcycle accident injuries are often more serious than car accident injuries, so damage payouts and settlements for motorcycle crashes are often higher.
You may be able to seek compensation for the following damages and more:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Mental anguish
- Lost income
- Lost earning potential
- Property damage
If the accident is fatal, family members of victims can recover damages for loss of comfort, loss of prospective inheritance, reduced income, and funeral and burial costs.
Contact Gervelis Law Firm Today
At Gervelis Law Firm, our experienced Ohio personal injury attorneys fight for the rights of accident victims every single day. We proudly serve Youngstown, Akron, Toledo, Columbus, Canfield, Warren, and all of Ohio.
We know what evidence to look for, what questions to ask, and how to turn that information into a strong legal case. When you’re in an accident, we take action–fast. Our Rapid Investigation Team will be on the scene within 24 hours to collect evidence and begin building your case.
We also work tirelessly to earn our clients’ trust by keeping them informed, handling every case with integrity, and adhering to our guiding principle—clients’ needs always come first.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Ohio, contact Gervelis Law for a free case consultation online or by calling 866-622-4096.
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