Portland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Put your trust in an attorney who fights for motorcycle accident injury victims
Motorcyclists from around Maine and the entire country often ride through Portland, whether it’s bikers riding on US Route 1 along the coast or motorcyclists attending motorcycle rallies, charity rides or other events.
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents happen in Portland as well. Whether it’s on Commercial Street in the Old Port, I-295, I-95 or another major road, a motorcycle accident can have very serious consequences.
And in many cases, motorcycle crashes occur due to another driver’s reckless or negligent behavior. When that happens, it’s critical that injury victims act right away to protect their health and their rights.
For over five decades, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein has been fighting for the rights of injured motorcyclists in Portland. Founded in 1974 in downtown Portland by Portland native Joe Bornstein, our law firm knows the city and understands how the legal system works here. That’s why we have such a strong track record of success. In case after case, we consistently secure sizable settlements and verdicts for injured motorcyclists and their families. We’re the law firm you want after your motorcycle accident.
How did your accident happen?
Motorcycle accidents caused by other drivers happen for many different reasons. Often, it’s because the other driver was doing something they should not have been doing behind the wheel, such as:
- Distracted drivers turning left or not looking, resulting in an intersection accident on Forest Avenue or another busy road.
- Aggressive drivers not leaving enough space between themselves and motorcyclists, resulting in a rear-end accident on Franklin Street or another avenue.
- Reckless drivers who run a red light, weave in and out of traffic, change lanes without warning and engage in other reckless behavior on the road, resulting in serious accidents.
- Speeding drivers who don’t slow down and don’t have enough time to avoid a collision on busy highways like I-95, I-295 or Fore River Parkway.
- Drunk drivers who aren’t aware of motorcyclists on the road and cause collisions on State Street and other roads, often at night.
- Tired drivers who fall asleep at the wheel and crash into motorcyclists on Congress Street or another road in Portland.
Whatever the circumstances of your motorcycle accident, it’s important that your accident gets the attention you rightfully deserve. Make sure you talk to Portland lawyer right away. Otherwise, you might not get the money you need for your accident expenses.
What type of injury do you have?
Because motorcyclists don’t have the same protection as people riding in cars or trucks, motorcyclists often sustain very serious, sometimes even life-threatening injuries. Some of the most common – and most serious – injuries bikers deal with in Portland include:
- Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Facial fractures and other types of head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and other types of back injuries
- Road rash and other serious skin injuries
- Neck injuries, including whiplash in certain circumstances
- Broken arms or hand injuries
- Broken legs and other lower-body injuries
Whatever type of injury you sustained, make sure you get the medical care you need right away. If necessary, go to the Maine Medical Center Emergency Room or another hospital in Portland right away. Your health should always come first after your accident.
Who pays for your accident?
Who’s responsible for paying for your accident depends on who was at fault. That’s because Maine has an at-fault insurance system. That means the at-fault party is responsible for paying for your accident-related expenses.
This means the at-fault driver’s insurance company must pay for your medical care, repairing or replacing your motorcycle, replacement income if you cannot work while you’re recovering from your accident and all other accident-related expenses.
This might sound simple. But the reality is insurance companies do everything they can to avoid paying injury victims. That’s because many motorcycle accident claims add up to thousands of dollars or significantly more. That’s why you need a lawyer on your side, fighting for the money you deserve.
What should you do next?
If another driver caused your accident in Portland, make sure you take the following steps to protect your rights and strengthen your injury claim:
- Call the police and ask them to respond to your accident.
- If you or anyone else appears injured, ask the police to send an ambulance.
- If you feel fine, still make sure you have a medical professional examine you as soon as possible. Don’t try to diagnose yourself. Have an EMT or doctor examine you right away. Many motorcycle accident injuries can be life-threatening if they’re not treated immediately.
- If you are healthy enough to do so, take pictures of your accident.
- If someone saw your accident, make sure you or the investigating police officer gets the witness’ full name and phone number so investigators can reach them later. Eyewitness testimony can be a powerful piece of evidence.
- Get the other driver’s full name, address, driver’s license number and insurance information.
- Give the same information to the other driver. Otherwise, do not discuss your accident with the other driver or anyone else at the crash site. Anything you say – even something as simple as “I’m sorry” – could later be used by the driver’s insurance company to deny your claim.
- A few hours or days after your accident, call your insurance company and tell them you have been in an accident caused by another driver.
- Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor. Many motorcycle accident injuries, including concussions, sometimes take several days to develop.
- If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, don’t talk to them. You do not legally have to do so. They’re likely fishing for information they can use to deny your injury claim.
- Don’t post anything on social media about your motorcycle accident. Insurance companies look at social media posts in search of statements they can use to deny accident claims.
- Call a lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about the legal options available to you.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Portland know exactly what to do after a serious accident. We know what evidence to look for. We know how to analyze official accident reports. We understand how the legal system works in Cumberland County and other jurisdictions near Portland. That’s because we live and work in the greater Portland area.
Get the attention your motorcycle accident deserves. Call today and schedule a free case evaluation at our Portland office. Contact us online or call (207) 407-7575 or (207) 389-7182. We have the knowledge, the skills and the drive you need to succeed.
Our Portland Office Location
Law Offices of Joe Bornstein
5 Moulton Street
Floor 6
P.O. Box 4686
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 407-7575
Fax: (207) 772-1302
TTY: (207) 772-1496
