What on Earth is a SMIDSY Crash?

SMIDSY is an informal acronym for a left-turn motorcycle crash. It stands for “sorry, mate, I didn’t see you.” This line says a lot. The tortfeasor (negligent driver) subtly shifts blame to the victim. Indeed, most tortfeasors say things like “You came out of nowhere” in these situations. Furthermore, many tortfeasors brush off serious motorcycle crashes as if they were no big deal.

Left-turn motorcycle crashes are very common. These wrecks account for about a third of the motorcycle crashes in Texas. Admittedly, it’s hard for drivers to see approaching motorcycles in a sea of large vehicles, like pickup trucks and SUVs. But that difficulty doesn’t excuse negligence. If anything, it compels motorists to slow down and maintain a sharper lookout. More on that below.

Victims often feel powerless in these situations, not only because of the crash, but also because the insurance company conducts its business behind closed doors. A Sugar Land motorcycle accident lawyer is a strong advocate for motorcycle crash victims. Attorney-negotiated settlements are over three times larger than other settlements. Once victims get the compensation they need and deserve, that sense of powerlessness usually vanishes.

Left Turn Motorcycle Crash Injuries

Usually, when a tortfeasor turning left against traffic doesn’t see an oncoming motorcycle, the two vehicles collide at almost full speed. Four-wheel vehicles include multiple restraint systems. But motorcycle riders are almost completely exposed to injury. These injuries include:

• Road Burns: Road rash usually isn’t a serious injury, unless it gets infected. But there’s no medical cure. Furthermore, its intense pain makes it almost impossible for these victims to move. So, they must basically lie still and wait for this injury to improve.
• Broken Bones: The extreme force of an impact usually shatters bones, especially leg bones. Therefore, doctors must rely on metal screws and other parts to set these bones, a process that usually requires multiple surgical procedures. Because of this intense surgery, the bone is never the same, even if it heals.
• Nerve Injuries: People who fall reflexively extend their arms to catch themselves. If a victim steps off a curb incorrectly, that reflex might help them avoid serious injury. But in a high-speed crash, this reflex servers nerves in the brachial plexus area, causing permanent paralysis.

The medical bills in a catastrophic (life-threatening) injury case usually exceed $100,000. The additional financial stress makes the physical pain almost unbearable. To give these victims some immediate relief, a Missouri City personal injury lawyer normally connects victims with doctors who defer billing until the case is resolved.

Liability Issues

Successfully resolving a motorcycle crash claim is like winning a football game. The pregame preparation and training is usually more important than on-the-field action.

To an attorney, preparation and training means evaluating a case and gathering evidence. Most drivers have a duty of reasonable care. When they don’t watch the road and cause crashes, they breach their duty of care and they’re liable for damages.

These damages usually include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Evidence in a motorcycle crash claim usually includes the police accident reports, witness statements, and medical bills. Attorneys use electronic evidence, like Event Data Recorder information, to supplement this evidence. An EDR is like a commercial jet’s black box flight recorder.

The evidence must be strong enough to prove negligence, or a lack of care, by a preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not.

 Count on a Thorough Fort Bend County Attorney

Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Missouri City, contact the Henrietta Ezeoke Law Firm. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we start working for you.

Source:

one.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/00-NHT-212-motorcycle/research9-11.html