Columbus Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents often occur for the same reasons as car accidents, but they are more likely to result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. Whether you were hurt in a motorcycle accident on a highway like I-70 or I-71, or you were injured in a crash that occurred on a smaller local road, you need to know how to prove liability and how an experienced Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer can help with your recovery.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Motorcycle Accident Claims in Columbus, OH

The attorneys at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber have more than 80 years of experience representing injured clients in a wide range of personal injury cases. Since 1946, our firm has secured many substantial settlements and trial verdicts for injured clients, and over the past two years, more than 25% of the settlements over seven figures in Ohio have been secured by our team of attorneys. *

When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber to represent you, we will immediately begin gathering the evidence you need to prove liability for your accident. Our team knows how damaging motorcycle accidents can be and that many injured victims have little to no recollection of how their accidents happened. We know how to obtain evidence that the average person would not be able to secure on their own.

We take time to learn as much as possible about our client, their accident, and the effects it has had on their life. We adapt our approach and strategy to suit each client’s unique needs, and we are confident we can provide unmatched representation regardless of what your motorcycle accident claim entails. The sooner you reach out to our firm, the more time we have to build your case.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Columbus

Motorcyclists of all experience levels must acknowledge the risks they face compared to driving typical enclosed passenger vehicles. Motorcycles offer little protection from crash impact forces, and these vehicles do not have the safety features found in most passenger cars. Additionally, motorcycles are smaller and therefore more easily overlooked in certain traffic situations. Situational awareness can help avoid accidents, but you must know what to do if a crash occurs.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 3,643 motorcycle-related accidents statewide in 2025. Of these crashes, 305 occurred in Franklin County. Most motorcycle accidents result from driver negligence, and the most common examples of this include:

• Moving violations. Drivers are expected to obey traffic signs and signals at all times and yield the right-of-way when appropriate. Illegal turns, running red lights or stop signs, and failure to yield are just a few examples of moving violations that can easily result in serious accidents. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to these actions due to their smaller size, meaning it is easier for other drivers to overlook them.
• Speeding. This increases both the risk of an accident happening and the resulting damages when an accident occurs. Excessive speeding may also lead to reckless driving charges. Vehicle computer data and traffic camera footage are often crucial for proving that a driver was speeding.
• Distracted driving. Anything that distracts a driver away from safely operating their vehicle can potentially cause a devastating accident. Texting while driving and other distractions are a pervasive issue throughout Ohio, and motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to distracted drivers because of their size compared to other vehicles.

Many motorcycle accidents in Franklin County also happen because of illegal misconduct on the road. Intoxicated driving is the most common example of this. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by an intoxicated driver, the state will file criminal charges, but you will need to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you claim compensation for the damages you suffered.

Ohio follows a fault-based system for resolving all vehicle accident cases involving multiple drivers. If you think another driver caused your motorcycle accident, you must prove fault before you can claim any compensation for your damages. Some of the evidence you need to prove fault will be difficult to obtain without an attorney’s help, and some will not be obtainable for very long. Hire a motorcycle accident lawyer right away so they can start gathering evidence.

Filing an Auto Insurance Claim for a Motorcycle Accident in Columbus

Ohio law requires all drivers to have auto insurance, and when a covered driver causes an accident with another driver, their policy can pay for the resulting damages up to the policy’s coverage limits. At a minimum, a driver’s auto insurance policy must include:

• At least $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. This can cover the victim’s vehicle repair or replacement costs.
• At least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage to cover physical injuries to a single person.
• At least $50,000 in total accident liability coverage for bodily injuries to multiple people in a single accident.

While these coverage limits may be enough to cover the damages resulting from a minor accident, they are unlikely to provide full compensation for a serious accident in Columbus. Additionally, dealing with insurance companies is often challenging, as they will almost always look for ways to justify denying or devaluing an injury claim.

You should hire a motorcycle accident lawyer before filing a claim against an at-fault driver’s insurance. Your attorney can gather all of the evidence and documentation you need to submit to the insurance carrier and resolve any disputes they raise against your claim. An insurance carrier is more likely to process an auto insurance claim in good faith when they see that the claimant has legal representation.

Building Your Personal Injury Case for a Motorcycle Accident

You may need to construct a personal injury claim to recover as much compensation as possible for your damages. Success with a personal injury case in Ohio requires proving that the defendant’s negligence or misconduct directly caused actual harm, and then you must show the full extent of the harm they have done.

The objective of a personal injury case is for the injured plaintiff to secure the compensation they need to recover from their injuries as fully as possible. The plaintiff can seek compensation for direct financial losses caused by the defendant’s actions, and these typically include:

• Vehicle repair or replacement costs. The plaintiff can claim compensation for any property damage the defendant caused, and this may also include personal effects lost in the accident.
• Medical expenses. Most motorcycle accidents result in severe injuries. The plaintiff can claim compensation for the cost of all medical care they require after the accident, including ongoing treatment costs for severe injuries.
• Lost wages. When a plaintiff is unable to work due to their injuries, the defendant is liable for the income the plaintiff is unable to earn during this period.
• Lost future earning capacity. Some motorcycle accident victims suffer permanently disabling injuries. If you are unable to return to work because of your accident, your Columbus motorcycle accident attorney may be able to recover compensation for the future income you are no longer able to earn.

Along with these economic damages, an injured plaintiff can also claim pain and suffering compensation. Motorcycle accidents can cause painful injuries that are difficult to treat, and many experience psychological trauma along with intense physical pain. Your attorney can determine a suitable amount of pain and suffering compensation that reflects the scope and severity of the harm you suffered.

How Your Columbus Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help

The initial aftermath of any vehicle accident can be confusing and stressful. Whether you are seeking compensation for your own damages or acting on behalf of a family member who has suffered catastrophic injuries, one of the first things you should do after a motorcycle accident in Columbus is hire a motorcycle accident lawyer.

You have a limited time to gather certain types of evidence that you may need to build your case, and you may not know how to gather this evidence on your own. You could also face disputed liability. The other driver may wrongfully accuse you of causing the accident, or you may have contributed to the accident through your own partial negligence. Having experienced legal counsel on your side allows you to approach these difficulties with greater confidence.

The attorneys at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber have decades of proven experience representing clients in a wide range of difficult cases. We know the challenges you might face in establishing liability, filing your auto insurance claim, and building a personal injury case to recover your damages. You can trust us to gather and preserve evidence, accurately calculate damages, and determine the optimal way to resolve your case.

We know the tactics that insurance companies often use against injured claimants, and we can build a comprehensive personal injury claim on your behalf if necessary to recover suitable compensation. We can settle your case privately if possible, but our team of seasoned trial attorneys is fully prepared to represent you in litigation if necessary. We also take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no cost to you if we are unable to recover damages.

Ultimately, you may face various complex legal questions in the aftermath of your motorcycle accident in Columbus. The team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has the skills and experience necessary for handling the most difficult cases, and we are ready to put this experience to work in your case. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn more about our legal services and how we can assist you with your recovery.

FAQs

Q: Is Ohio a No-Fault State for Motorcycle Accidents?

A: No, Ohio is a fault state for all motorcycle accidents and other vehicle accidents. This means that when multiple drivers are involved in any accident, the party responsible for causing the accident is liable for the resulting damages. If you believe another driver caused your recent motorcycle accident, proving fault is essential before you can claim any compensation for your damages.

Q: Why Are Motorcycle Accidents More Dangerous Than Car Accidents?

A: Motorcycle accidents are more dangerous than car accidents because in a motorcycle accident, there is a far greater risk for the motorcyclist to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries. The National Safety Council reported that in 2023, motorcycles only represented 3% of registered vehicles nationwide, but motorcyclists accounted for 15.5% of all vehicle accident fatalities that year.

Q: What Is My Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth in Columbus?

A: The value of your motorcycle accident claim in Columbus largely depends on the severity of the injuries you suffered and whether you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you. An experienced local attorney can accurately assess all of the economic damages you can claim, including vehicle repair costs, medical bills, and lost wages. They will also know how to secure as much compensation as possible for your pain and suffering.

Q: What Happens if I Share Fault for My Recent Motorcycle Accident?

A: If you share fault for your recent motorcycle accident, you may still be eligible to claim compensation from the defendant as long as the defendant was found more at fault. Under Ohio’s modified comparative negligence law, the injured plaintiff’s fault percentage is subtracted from their final recovery. If the plaintiff is found more at fault than the defendant, however, the plaintiff cannot claim compensation from the defendant.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Columbus?

A: You should hire a motorcycle accident lawyer in Columbus to improve your chances of reaching a favorable outcome in your case. The right attorney can build your case, determine the optimal ways for you to claim compensation, and guide you through each step of your proceedings with confidence. You have a better chance of securing appropriate compensation for your damages with an attorney’s help.

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has an extensive record of successful legal representation in a wide range of personal injury cases, including motorcycle accident claims. We know how challenging these accidents can be, and we are confident we can provide unmatched legal counsel through every stage of your recovery efforts. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with a Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer to learn how we can help.*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.