Lawyer's Story

My name is Steve Aroesty I’ve been a lawyer for the last 16 years. During that time I’ve developed a special interest in motorcycle accident law. You see, not only am I a trial lawyer but I’m a life long motorcycle rider. I believe my years of riding have taught me lessons that have made me a better lawyer in motorcycle accident cases. Unlike many lawyers, who’ve never ridden, I can honestly say, I’ve been there and done that.

Today, in America, almost 2000 people are killed and another 50,000 injured every year as a result of motorcycle accidents. Amazingly, 80% of all motorcycle accidents involve injury or death. In a recent study, the dominant cause of motorcycle accidents wasn’t weather or equipment failure it was the failure of motorists to detect motorcyclists until it was too late. Given the huge size difference between motorcycles and cars these numbers are understandable. When a car hits a motorcycle chances are something very bad is going to happen to the rider.

When I evaluate a motorcycle accident I focus on three key elements; liability, injury, and insurance. Every successful case has to have all three or it will fail.

At the beginning of every case is liability. Liability is just a lawyer’s way of determining who was to blame for the accident. It is the first hurdle you must get over to have a winning case. Essentially, liability means, it was more someone else’s fault then your own. If your accident was mostly your fault, it will generally fail, and you won’t recover.

Once the liability issue is decided in your favor then you must prove you were injured by the carelessness of the other party. The injuries we work on at Brown and Crouppen range from simple back or neck strains to very serious injury and death cases. The key is, there must be some physical harm done. I can’t tell you how many people have called me over the years and said “ I could have been killed in the accident.” They then usually go on to relate that in fact they were not harmed physically in any way. I then have to explain that the law does not compensate for harm that “could have happened” only harm actually done. So the second essential element I look for in a motorcycle accident claim is physical injury.

In almost every culture there is a phrase like the one my grandmother used. She would say, “ You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip.” This phrase brings me to the third and last element I look for to determine if a person has a motorcycle accident case worth pursuing. This element can be summed up in one word, money. Does the careless party who caused your injury have any money to compensate you for the harm done? In today’s world this question is usually determined by whether the careless party has motorcycle insurance or in some cases whether or not you had the good sense to buy what’s known as uninsured motorist insurance which protects you if you’re hit by an uninsured driver. In any event a successful case requires a source of money to pay the compensation asked for, if there is no money there is no case.

So, now you know the elements of a successful motorcycle accident case, liability, injury and insurance. Obviously these are just the basics, but they should enable you to determine if your accident is one that you want to pursue further.

At Brown and Crouppen we’ve handled thousands of injury cases. If you’ve been hurt while riding a motorcycle we’d like to help you get all the compensation you deserve, just click here, someone will contact you promptly.

Brown & Crouppen can help you make informed decisions about your legal rights, so please call Brown & Crouppen at 1-800-536-HELP for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.
 

You never know what life is going to throw at you. The day of my accident was as pretty a day as I can remember. I was riding on a motorcycle really enjoying myself when out of nowhere a little dog ran right in front of the bike. The next thing I know I’m on the road, the end of my great day.   CONTINUE

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident it’s important to understand the “real” agenda of the insurance company in your case. First, understand the insurance company is not your friend, they are not looking out for you, they are only looking out for their own interests. See, insurance companies exist for one purpose only, to make money. Insurance companies make money by selling insurance and receiving premium payments, they then invest this money and make even more money. Insurance companies lose money by paying out benefits (money) to people hurt in accidents caused by the people they insure.  CONTINUE

Call Brown & Crouppen at 1-800-536-HELP for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.

1-800-536-HELP