What should I do after a motorcycle accident?

Photograph the scene, preserve the motorcycle and helmet, obtain medical care, avoid insurer statements, and contact counsel promptly for evidence preservation.

How is liability determined in motorcycle cases?

Liability is established through accident reconstruction, witness statements, roadway evidence, vehicle inspection, and analysis of traffic law violations.

What insurance issues affect motorcycle claims?

Claims often involve disputes over UM/UIM coverage, comparative fault, visibility defenses, and multiple insurers denying responsibility.

Are motorcyclists often blamed for crashes?

Yes. Defendants frequently allege speeding or improper operation. Expert reconstruction helps counter bias and establish actual cause.

What damages can be recovered?

Medical expenses, lost income, permanent impairment, pain and suffering, and in some cases wrongful death damages under RSA 556.

Why is early investigation important?

Roadway evidence fades quickly. Early reconstruction, witness contact, and motorcycle inspection are critical for proving liability.

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Motorcycle Accident Representation in New Hampshire

Apis Law represents motorcyclists and their families in serious injury and fatal crash cases across New Hampshire. Motorcycle collisions demand precise reconstruction, a clear understanding of roadway dynamics, and careful navigation of insurance structures unique to motorcyclists. These cases often involve disputed liability, multi-vehicle interactions, and complex medical and economic damages. Apis Law provides focused litigation and investigation support to pursue accountability and compensation under New Hampshire law.

Understanding Motorcycle Accident Claims in New Hampshire

Motorcycle crashes frequently result in severe or catastrophic injuries due to limited physical protection, making early evidence preservation essential. New Hampshire law requires proof that another motorist or entity acted negligently, failed to maintain proper lookout, violated traffic laws, or created an unsafe roadway condition. Common bases for liability include:

Failure to yield or improper left turns
Distracted or impaired driving
Unsafe lane changes or blind-spot violations
Speeding or aggressive operation
Road defects, gravel, or uneven surfaces
Unmarked construction hazards

Motorcycle cases often require specialized analysis of speed, point of impact, skid marks, visibility, lighting, and rider dynamics.

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Common Injuries in Motorcycle Collisions

Motorcyclists frequently suffer injuries that involve extensive medical care and long-term consequences. These may include:
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), concussions, and head trauma
• Spinal injuries, herniations, or paralysis
• Orthopedic fractures requiring surgery
• Severe road rash, degloving injuries, or burns
• Internal trauma and organ damage
• Wrongful death

Documenting the mechanism of injury, treatment progression, and long-term impairment is essential for establishing damages under RSA 507 and related statutes.

Insurance Challenges Unique to Motorcyclists

Motorcycle claims often involve complex insurance issues, including:

Driver underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM)
Disputes regarding “comparative fault” under RSA 507:7-d
Denied visibility (“I didn’t see the motorcycle”) defenses
Multiple insurers are pointing the liability at each other
Commercial vehicle defendants

Apis Law conducts a careful breakdown of all available policies, coverage layers, and potential third-party liability sources to protect the rider’s financial recovery.

Legal Challenges in Motorcycle Accident Litigation

Motorcycle injury cases often involve:
• Disputed liability: Defendants frequently claim the motorcyclist was speeding or operating unsafely.
• Bystander and witness issues: Witness memory and perception of motorcycles can be inconsistent.
• Accident reconstruction: Requires analysis of roadway evidence, vehicle damage, and rider trajectory.
• Bias against motorcyclists: Some jurors assume motorcyclists are risk-takers; effective litigation counters this through evidence and expert testimony.
• High damages: Medical costs, lost income, future care, and permanent disability routinely require expert economic analysis.

Because of these complexities, early investigation and expert involvement are critical.

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Apis Law’s Approach to Motorcycle Injury Cases

Apis Law conducts a structured, evidence-driven approach to motorcycle litigation:

Immediate scene investigation and photography
Vehicle and helmet inspection
Reconstruction analysis of impact mechanics, skid marks, and roadway conditions
Review of surveillance footage and digital evidence
Interviews with witnesses and responding officers
Comprehensive evaluation of injuries and medical causation
Economic and vocational loss analysis
Strategic negotiation and litigation focused on liability proof and damages development

The firm’s approach is deliberate, methodical, and aligned with New Hampshire evidentiary standards.

Recent Case Insight

Apis Law recently resolved a motorcycle injury case that showed how a “low medical bill” claim can evolve into a substantial recovery when the actual economic impact is fully documented. The firm represented a New Hampshire mechanic whose fractured ankle forced the temporary shutdown of his one-person repair business. Although medical expenses totaled roughly $12,000, detailed financial records, landlord statements, and comparative income analysis demonstrated more than $40,000 in lost income and over $18,000 in accrued commercial rent. Liability was clear—a left-turning driver cut across the rider’s lane—but the real issue was proving how the injury limited mobility, disrupted operations, and impaired long-term earning capacity. Through organized medical evidence and precise economic documentation, Apis Law reframed the claim around the client’s functional limitations and business interruption, ultimately securing a $100,000 policy limits settlement that compensated for both physical injury and significant financial loss.

Visit Apis Law's Case Results Page

Guidance for Injured Motorcyclists

Riders involved in a collision should consider the following steps:

Photograph the scene, roadway, damage, and injuries
Preserve the motorcycle and helmet for inspection
Obtain medical care immediately and follow treatment recommendations
Avoid statements to insurance adjusters
Record symptoms, treatment, and work limitations
Contact legal counsel early to protect evidence and analyze insurance coverage

Motorcycle claims benefit from early intervention due to the rapid disappearance of roadway evidence and the importance of precise reconstruction.

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Contact Apis Law

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle collision, contact Apis Law to discuss liability, insurance issues, expert reconstruction, and your rights under New Hampshire law.