A motorcycle crash can be life-altering. With serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and aggressive insurance companies, injured riders face a difficult road to recovery. At Shaheen & Gordon, our experienced Portland motorcycle accident lawyers know what it takes to fight for injured motorcyclists and win.
We represent clients across Portland, Maine, who have been hurt due to distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, blind spots, and other negligence. We’re here to help you pursue full compensation for your injuries, property damage, lost income, and emotional distress.
Our legal team understands what a motorcycle crash can cause—the shock, the medical appointments, the financial stress—and we’re here to take the legal burden off your shoulders. When dealing with a catastrophic injury you should be focused on your recovery and not insurance paperwork. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover for you. Call (800) 451-1002 today for a free consultation with a trusted motorcycle accident attorney in Portland, Maine.
Why choose Shaheen & Gordon for your motorcycle case?
After a motorcycle crash, choosing the right legal team can make all the difference. You need someone who understands what you’re going through physically, financially, and emotionally, and knows how to stand up to insurance companies that try to minimize your injuries. At Shaheen & Gordon, we’re proud to be trusted by riders throughout Portland, Maine, and beyond.
Here’s why our clients turn to us after a crash:
- We know motorcycle accident law—and the tactics insurers use: Our attorneys are experienced in handling serious motorcycle crash cases. We understand the nuances, from helmet laws to proving visibility in blind spot collisions.
- We fight for the full value of your recovery: We pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and permanent impairment.. We’ll never let an insurance company settle for less than what is fair to you.
- We understand rider bias and how to overcome it: Motorcyclists are often unfairly blamed for crashes. We know how to challenge these assumptions with hard evidence and clear storytelling.
- We’re local, experienced, and prepared to go to court: With deep roots in Portland, Maine, we bring regional insight and legal strategy to every case. If your case needs to go to trial, we’re ready.
- You don’t pay unless we win: All of our motorcycle injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there’s no financial risk to get started.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, you need a law firm that gets results.
Don’t take our word for it—take our clients’
“I have been calling around to different local law offices trying to get some answers for a legal issue. It has been an extremely frustrating experience thus far. Today, I spoke with Alex Spadinger, and he was absolutely wonderful! He spent a long time on the phone with me and was very honest and up front about the costs of service. It was nice to finally get some assistance with the questions I had.”
“I was hit by a car two years ago and went through three surgeries and over a year of recovery. […] I worked with Alex Spadinger, who with his able paralegal, Judy, walked me through the entire process with expertise, respect and the utmost professionalism.
The case is now finally ended, and I am proud of Atty. Spadinger’s representation of me, and am very happy with the final outcome. They conducted themselves with all of the efficiency and skill that I expected from Shaheen and Gordon. It is with total confidence that I highly recommend Alex Spadinger and the Shaheen and Gordon Law Firm.”
“My experience with Shaheen and Gordon, P.A. surpassed my expectations. The situation that I brought to them seemed pretty “simple” in the beginning. However, as more details came to the forefront there were many twists and turns. Shaheen & Gordon explained everything to me step by step. I’m very pleased with the services and knowledge that Shaheen and Gordon have. I highly recommend them.”
Why are motorcycle accidents different from car accident cases?
Legally and medically, motorcycle collisions are fundamentally different from typical car crashes. Riders are far more exposed, which means they face a higher risk of serious injury or death, even in lower-speed collisions.
Unlike cars, motorcycles offer little to no protection in a crash. Without seat belts, airbags, or safety features, they are vulnerable to direct impacts, ejections, and secondary injuries from sliding across pavement. What would be nothing more than a fender bender in a car can be a catastrophic event for a motorcycle rider.
On top of this physical vulnerability, motorcyclists often face bias. There’s a persistent misconception that riders are reckless or always at fault. This can influence how insurance companies, law enforcement, and even juries view your claim.
At Shaheen & Gordon, we challenge these stereotypes with facts, evidence, and strategic advocacy. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Portland know how to demonstrate the reality of your crash and the full extent of your personal injury—ensuring you’re treated fairly, not unjustly blamed or undercompensated.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents
Understanding the cause of a crash is essential to proving who’s at fault and establishing a strong claim. Our firm has handled motorcycle accident cases across Maine caused by many different forms of driver error and road hazard.
Common causes include:
- Distracted driving and failure to yield: Drivers looking at their phones, GPS, or passengers often overlook motorcycles until it’s too late—especially at intersections.
- Unsafe lane changes and blind spots: Many crashes happen when drivers merge without checking for a motorcycle in their blind spot.
- Speeding and reckless driving: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases crash severity, especially in city traffic or winding roads.
- Hazardous road conditions: Poorly maintained roads with potholes, loose gravel, or obstructed signage can be dangerous or deadly for riders.
- Drivers failing to see motorcyclists at intersections: One of the most common accident scenarios is a driver turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, often claiming they “didn’t see them.”
We investigate each collision carefully—reconstructing the scene, analyzing vehicle damage, and using witness accounts to establish what went wrong and why.
Types of injuries in motorcycle crashes
Motorcycle accidents can result in serious or life-altering injuries, even when riders wear proper safety gear. These injuries can require extensive medical care, long-term rehabilitation, or lead to permanent disability.
Some of the most common injuries we see include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Even with a helmet, riders may suffer concussions or severe brain trauma that affects memory, coordination, or cognitive function.
- Broken bones, road rash, and spinal cord injuries: Riders frequently experience fractures, deep abrasions, and damage to the spine that may lead to paralysis or mobility issues.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage: These injuries can be harder to detect but are often life-threatening and require emergency care and monitoring.
- Fatal injuries and wrongful death: In the most tragic cases, a crash ends in the loss of life. Surviving family members may be entitled to wrongful death compensation for funeral expenses, emotional loss, and lost financial support.
Our attorneys work with medical experts to fully document your injuries and prove the long-term impact they have on your health, finances, and quality of life.
What to do in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident
The decisions you make immediately following a motorcycle crash can significantly impact your recovery and your ability to seek fair compensation. Here’s what you should do:
- Seek immediate medical care: Prioritize your health—even if injuries don’t seem severe at first. Prompt treatment not only protects your well-being but also creates a clear medical record that links your injuries to the crash.
- Report the crash and gather documentation: Call the police and request a report. If possible, take photos of the scene, the vehicles, your injuries, road conditions, and any visible hazards.
- Avoid speaking with insurance companies: Insurance adjusters may seem helpful but often try to settle claims quickly and for less than they’re worth. Do not provide recorded statements without legal representation.
- Contact an experienced Portland motorcycle accident attorney: The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence and helping you navigate the complex insurance issues that follow.
Compensation available in a motorcycle accident case
A successful motorcycle accident claim can provide financial relief and support for both your immediate recovery and long-term needs. We work to secure full compensation that reflects the real costs of your injuries.
Damages may include:
- Medical bills and costs of future care
- Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
- Property damage to the motorcycle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent injuries
- Wrongful death damages, if there was a fatality
We fight for the full value of every claim—not just what insurers initially offer.
Contact our Portland motorcycle accident lawyers today
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, you deserve more than just sympathy—you deserve answers, support, and aggressive legal representation. At Shaheen & Gordon, we understand how devastating these collisions can be, both physically and financially. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence and recover the compensation you’re entitled to.
Our team of experienced Portland motorcycle accident attorneys has helped injured riders across Maine navigate complex claims, push back against uncooperative insurance companies, and secure real results. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you don’t pay unless we win.
Don’t face this fight alone. Call (800) 451-1002 today or fill out our contact form to speak with a trusted motorcycle crash lawyer who’s ready to stand up for you.
Frequently asked questions
What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet during the crash?
Maine law requires motorcycle operators and passengers under 18, and those with a learner’s permit or within the first year of licensure, to wear a helmet. While not wearing one could affect your case, you may still be eligible for compensation, depending on the circumstances and injuries involved. We’ll evaluate how helmet use may impact liability and damages.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Maine follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you were less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages—though your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of responsibility. We’ll work to minimize any blame unfairly assigned to you.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Maine?
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Maine is generally six years from the date of the collision. However, there are exceptions to this general rule that may apply, and evidence can disappear quickly. It’s always in your best interest to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Do I need to go to court to win compensation?
Not necessarily. Many motorcycle accident cases are resolved through settlement negotiations. That said, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial—so if the insurance company refuses a fair offer, we’re ready to fight in court.
Will my insurance cover my medical expenses?
It depends on your policy. Most motorcycle policies include medical payments (MedPay) coverage, while others don’t. We’ll review your coverage and explore all possible sources of compensation, including the at-fault driver’s insurance and your own health insurance, to ensure your medical care is fully addressed.
