Columbus Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Top Rated Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Columbus, OH

Motorcycle accidents on Ohio roads often result in severe consequences, such as life-altering injuries, lifelong medical expenses, and even death. Because bikers don’t have the protective shield of a traditional vehicle around them, they can be easily thrown off their vehicle and sustain serious injuries, including road rash, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and more. A Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer can help you seek compensation.

After being involved in a serious accident in Columbus, you may sustain disabling injuries with mounting medical bills, and you may not know where to turn. Hiring a motorcycle accident attorney from the Gervelis Law Firm to represent you in your pursuit of justice can speed up the claims process and obtain your compensation. Our Columbus  law firm office is centrally located on Dublin Road, and our motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to help.

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Why Should I Trust Gervelis Law Firm with My Motorcycle Accident Case in Columbus?

For nearly 25 years, Gervelis Law Firm has been successfully advocating for the rights of injured Ohioans living in Columbus and Franklin County. Our attorneys have a proven track record of success and extensive handling motorcycle accident cases. Over the years, we’ve won millions of dollars in settlements for our clients, including the following notable results in motorcycle accident cases:

• $3,499,000 recovered for the family of a motorcyclist who became entangled in wires as a cable company was installing cables across a two-lane roadway with no warning signs. The motorcyclist hit the wires at 35 miles per hour and sustained fatal injuries.
• $1,000,000 recovered for a motorcyclist who was hit by a car and ejected from his bike on impact, causing fractures that required multiple surgeries.  The motorcyclist was struck in an intersection when an oncoming driver turned left into this path.
• $500,000 recovered for the family of a motorcyclist who was traveling in a residential neighborhood when an appliance delivery truck pulled in front of him. The motorcyclist sustained fatal injuries as a result of the accident.

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

Our Columbus Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Our firm employs a team of attorneys under the leadership of Board-Certified Civil Trial Specialist Mark S. Gervelis. Each attorney on our team brings unique strengths and skills to the table for their clients. You can read about each of them and their experience to learn more about the talented individuals who will be advocating for you in your motorcycle accident injury case.

David Michael Tschantz, Esq.

Attorney

Mark S. Gervelis, Esq.

Founding Attorney

Stephanie M. Mehle, Esq.

Attorney

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

In the year 2025, there were 305 reported motorcycle-involved accidents in Franklin County. Of those, 14 were fatal, and 72 resulted in serious injuries. There are many possible contributing factors for motorcycle accidents in Columbus. A few of them are as follows:

• Poor visibility: Sometimes, the Columbus area experiences weather conditions that result in poor visibility, and motorcycle riders may be unable to see where they are going. Likewise, other drivers on the road may have difficulty seeing people on motorcycles. Weather events like thick fog and rainstorms can affect visibility and contribute to accidents.
• Speeding: Speeding is a major contributing factor in all types of roadway accidents, including motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle riders often exceed speed limits to weave in and out of traffic. Conversely, speeding cars may not have enough time to stop before hitting a slowing or turning motorcycle.  
• Alcohol impairment: Unfortunately, drunk driving is still a common occurrence across the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk drivers kill an average of 32 Americans every day, and motorcyclists are not invincible when it comes to the impaired judgment of intoxicated drivers.
• Distracted driving: Drivers may become distracted by a variety of activities while behind the wheel. Some common culprits include texting, reading emails, scrolling social media, talking to passengers, putting on makeup, and looking at things going on outside the vehicle. Drivers who are not paying attention to the road may fail to see a passing motorcycle. 

Injuries Associated with Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often result in more serious injuries than regular car accidents because of the lack of protection riders have. The following are some common motorcycle accident injuries: 

• Head injuries: Even if a motorcycle driver is wearing a helmet, they might still sustain a serious head injury. Traumatic brain injuries like concussions and contusions can happen due to blunt force trauma to the head, and such injuries can result in lasting damage in severe cases. 
• Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord is the central bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body, and injuries to it or to the protective bones around it can result in paralysis or loss of function in the corresponding nerves. 
• Broken bones: In many motorcycle accidents, riders sustain direct hits to their bodies from the colliding vehicle. The force of the impact often leads to broken bones, which can lead to surgeries, rehab, and long recovery processes. 
• Road rash: Road rash is an injury that is somewhat unique to motorcycle accidents. Road rash refers to abrasions motorcycle riders sustain when their skin makes contact with the road, as often happens if they are thrown from their motorcycles or if they skid across the ground. 

What to Do if You Are in a Motorcycle Accident in Columbus

If you are in a motorcycle accident in the Columbus area, you may have difficulty thinking clearly about the appropriate steps to take in the moments after the crash. To protect yourself, take care of your health, and set yourself up for a smooth compensation process, you should do the following things after a Columbus motorcycle accident:

• Notify the authorities: If you are physically capable, you should call the police after a motorcycle crash to report it. If there are injuries, you should call 911 for medical help. If there are no injuries, and there is no ongoing hazard like a vehicle or debris in the roadway, you can call the non-emergency police line instead. 
• Seek medical attention: Even if you do not need an ambulance on site, you should go to a nearby hospital like The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for a full evaluation. Some injuries associated with car and motorcycle accidents are not immediately apparent, and shock and adrenaline can mask symptoms at first. 
• Exchange insurance information: If it is safe to do so, you should exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver in the accident. 
• Document the scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene if you are able. These should show the positions of the vehicles, any damage to vehicles or property, skid marks on the road, the current weather conditions, and the lighting conditions. 
• Get witness contacts: If there were other people who witnessed the crash, and you can talk to them, you should obtain their contact information so you can ask them for statements later. 

Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

When you have completed all of these immediate tasks after a motorcycle accident, the next appropriate step is to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you with the process of pursuing compensation. An experienced attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

How Does the Insurance Claims Process Work for Motorcycle Accidents in Columbus?

To succeed in your motorcycle accident claim in Ohio, you must prove that the other party’s negligence caused the crash, which requires that you establish the following four elements:

• Duty: You must show that the party owed you a duty of care. Motorists generally have a legal duty to act reasonably to avoid harming others on the road.
• Breach: You must demonstrate that the other party breached that duty by acting negligently, carelessly, or recklessly.
• Causation: You must prove that the breach caused the accident and your injuries.
• Damages: You must show you sustained compensable damages from the accident.

Because Ohio is an at-fault insurance state, the person who caused your accident is financially responsible for its effect on your life.

However, Ohio has a comparative negligence system, meaning that fault is apportioned among all those to blame for an accident. If an accident victim shares more than 50 percent of the blame for the crash, they can’t recover compensation. If the victim is 50 percent or less at fault, they can recover damages. However, their compensation will be reduced in proportion to their share of the fault.

Why Should I Trust the Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Gervelis Law Firm?

At Gervelis Law Firm, our Columbus motorcycle accident attorneys are uniquely positioned to provide aggressive, experienced, and effective legal representation. We work tirelessly to earn our clients’ trust by keeping them informed, handling every case with integrity, and adhering to our guiding principle—clients’ needs always come first.

We take your case seriously because we understand how much your case matters to you. We know your case is about more than just money. We can shoulder the burden and handle all the legal details so that you can focus on your well-being and recovery from your injuries.ries.

Additionally, we know you are already facing enough stress. You shouldn’t have the added worry of figuring out how to afford top legal representation. Thus, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything unless we are successful in your case.

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""This law firm office is very fantastic. They work hard for the best of customers. The attorney Geverlis is one of the best lawyers that I firmly recommend anybody who…

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“David and Meghan were very professional and thorough with my recovery and health issues after my accident with a semi. They made sure that the trucking company was held accountable…

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How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Columbus?

Ohio’s personal injury statute of limitations applies to motorcycle accidents. You generally have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. There are some exceptions, but there is no guarantee that one will apply. If you miss the deadline for filing a personal injury claim, you may lose your chance to recover compensation for your damages.

While two years might seem like a long time, don’t wait to consult a lawyer—evidence can disappear, and memories can fade. The sooner you act, the more likely you can build a strong case. A knowledgeable and skilled motorcycle accident lawyer can obtain and preserve critical evidence, protect your rights, and ensure you file your claim on time.

What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Motorcycle Helmet During the Accident?

Ohio law only requires motorcyclists to wear a helmet if they are under age 18, operating their bikes with temporary permits, or within their first year of receiving their motorcycle license. If you’re an adult and weren’t wearing a helmet when your motorcycle accident occurred, you can still pursue a claim under Ohio law.

What Compensation Can I Receive for a Columbus Motorcycle Accident Case?

Because motorcycle accident injuries are often more serious and fatal than car accidents injuries, settlement amounts are often higher. You may be able to seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, including the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Disfigurement
• Disability
• Mental anguish
• Lost income
• Lost earning potential

If the accident was fatal, the deceased’s family members might be entitled to recover damages for loss of comfort, loss of prospective inheritance, reduced income, and funeral and burial costs through a wrongful death claim.

FAQs

Is My Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Claim Likely to Go to Court?

No, your personal injury claim following a motorcycle accident is not likely to go to trial. Most personal injury cases settle long before the trial phase because litigation is a time-consuming and expensive process. Therefore, defendants are usually motivated to settle. If your Columbus motorcycle accident claim does go to court, the hearing will be held in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.

Can More Than One Party Be Liable in a Personal Injury Case?

Yes, you can name more than one defendant in a personal injury claim, and many injury victims do so. In a motorcycle accident case, you may seek damages from both the driver who hit you and their insurance company. If your accident involved external factors, like debris on the road, you may be able to hold the person who put the obstacle there liable for your injury as well. 

How Do You Calculate Compensation for Pain and Suffering?

In personal injury cases, including those resulting from motorcycle accidents, compensation for pain and suffering is often calculated using either the multiplier method or the per diem method. In the multiplier method, the total of a victim’s economic damages is multiplied by a number chosen to reflect the impact of the accident on their life. In the per diem method, pain and suffering compensation is calculated based on the victim’s usual daily salary.

What if My Injury Requires Ongoing Care?

If you have sustained an injury from a motorcycle accident that requires you to have long-term medical care or in-home medical equipment, your compensation should take those costs into consideration. You can work with your lawyer to estimate your future needs and calculate projected costs, which can then be built into the final settlement demand.  

How Long Will It Take to Settle My Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim?

It is difficult to predict how long it might take to resolve a personal injury claim resulting from a motorcycle accident in Columbus. Several factors can influence the length of a case, including the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the defendant to settle, and whether or not it is easy to establish liability in your case. Your attorney can provide you with specific insight regarding the likely timeline for your unique case. 

Contact Gervelis Law Firm Today

After being injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to start building your case right away. When you’ve been injured, we take action—fast. At Gervelis Law Firm, we’ll send our Rapid Investigation Team to the scene within 24 hours of contact to take photos, locate witnesses, draw accident diagrams, and run crash diagnostics.

Gervelis Law Firm’s experienced Columbus personal injury attorneys work with accident victims every single day. We proudly serve Youngstown, Akron, Toledo, Columbus, Canfield, Warren, and all of Ohio. We know what evidence to look for, what questions to ask, and how to turn that information into a strong legal case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Columbus, contact Gervelis Law today for a free consultation online or by calling 330-533-6565.