A motorcycle accident can change your life. A motorcycle accident victim may sustain serious injuries or even die. Thousands of motorcyclists involved in accidents sustain injuries ranging from broken bones to traumatic spinal cord injuries.
Insurance companies or the responsible parties commonly blame the victim, so you need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer on your side to fight for a successful outcome in your case.
Bad accidents could amount to thousands of dollars in vehicle repair costs and medical expenses. A knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer will ensure that you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses, including future costs. Look for someone with enough resources to pursue maximum compensation in your claim who will go above and beyond to provide the personalized attention you deserve.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
After any motorcycle crash, getting medical treatment is crucial to your health and protects your right to compensation.
After a motorcycle collision:
- Get to a safe place
- Check to see if you or anyone involved was injured
- Move your motorcycle off the road
- Call your local police department
- Obtain information from other involved parties
- Take photos or videos of the accident scene
- Go directly to the hospital or visit a doctor
- Call your insurance company and report the crash
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and instructions
- Gather evidence to show your motorcycle accident lawyer
- Consult a accident attorney about your case
Motorcycle accidents are a scary experience because they often lead to more severe injuries and losses than an accident between two passenger vehicles. Your priority after a crash is to get medical treatment for your injuries, no matter how severe.
After a motorcycle crash, the shock can be powerful, and you may not even realize the severity of your injury. It is essential to seek the advice of a medical professional for this reason. Motorcycle riders do not have much protection from a crash outside of a helmet, making them especially vulnerable to life-changing injuries.
Taking the right steps after a motorcycle accident is crucial and can determine the outcome of your motorcycle accident claim.
Insurance adjusters pressure victims into settling for less than what they deserve.
An attorney can negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf and will protect you from accepting a low-ball settlement offer.
Having an attorney who provides you with the personalized attention you deserve can help you recover the compensation you need to get back to your normal life as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
One of the first crucial steps in obtaining compensation for your motorcycle accident claim is identifying the cause of your accident. Motorcycle crashes can be particularly lethal and often lead to severe injuries. The negligent party in your case will be responsible for covering your medical expenses, repair and replacement costs for your motorcycle, lost income, and more.
Seeking legal advice from an expert motorcycle accident lawyer if you are involved in a traumatic crash is the best way to recover the compensation you’ll need to cover the cost of your medical expenses and losses.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes include:
- Inexperienced driver
- Distracted or negligent driver
- Roadway defects
- Speeding
- Defective motorcycle part
- A driver who’s under the influence
- Adverse weather conductions
The most common types of accidents that motorcyclists are involved in are:
- Blindspot accidents
- Lane splitting accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield
- Accidents at intersections
The point of impact in many motorcycle accidents is often the front, leading to devastating injuries and, in some cases, fatal consequences. However, accidents involving equipment failures or poor road conditions tend to be more complex, requiring an experienced lawyer by your side. Costs related to medical expenses after a motorcycle collision tend to be high.
Let an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer help you identify which factors in your case led to the accident and help you hold the liable party financially responsible for your losses. An attorney who regularly files motorcycle accident claims will know how to bring a successful claim against the responsible party.
Common Injuries That Result From Motorcycle Crashes
Accidents on the road happen every day, and motorcycle riders are some of the most vulnerable groups involved in collisions with passenger vehicles, trucks, or other motorcycles. Most injuries that result from motorcycle accidents are catastrophic due to the lack of protection for motorcyclists. Many motorcycle accidents happen when drivers fail to notice the motorcycle they’re sharing the road with.
Some of the most common injuries that result from motorcycle crashes are:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Skull fractures
- Internal injuries
- Paralysis
- Road rash
- Fractures
- Lower extremity injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Crushed limbs
- Amputations
- Lacerations
- Severe abrasions
- Deep burns
- Head trauma
- Fatalities
No matter how many precautions motorcyclists take, a distracted or negligent driver could cause an unavoidable accident that leads to severe consequences.
Permanent injuries are common in serious motorcycle accidents, and crash survivors often live with long-term, serious repercussions. Motorcyclists in serious accidents can suffer emotional and psychological trauma. Let a motorcycle accident attorney help you through the complex claims process and fight for the damages you deserve.
Compensation in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Whether you were in a motorcycle accident where you suffered a severe spinal cord injury or something more minor like road rash, you deserve to understand the type of compensation you’re eligible to receive. Understanding the potential value of your motorcycle accident claim is essential, and the best way to obtain an accurate answer is by consulting with a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney.
Because every motorcycle accident case is unique, determining how much you may get as compensation will require the assistance of an experienced lawyer who can identify your damages and make the complex calculations. Many people fail to consider all the damages a motorcycle accident caused.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can review your case and determine the full extent of your losses to determine the value of your claim.
Here are some examples of damages victims of a motorcycle accident may recover:
- Medical Expenses: These include immediate and future medical expenses. Your attorney should review all bills related to your accident, including bills from your primary care physician, any ambulance trip, emergency medical treatments, surgeries, medication, and physical therapy costs. Medical experts or a life care planner can help you determine if you will require future treatment or ongoing care and for how long. If you are permanently disabled, need home health assistance or post-surgical care, your lawyer, will factor this into your settlement value.
- Lost Income and Earning Capacity: Injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents may leave victims with injuries that could put them out of work. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, whether for a few days, months, or permanently, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Your lawyer can help you recover compensation for lost income, including future earnings. We will document the extent of the wages you’ve lost by collecting proof, such as pay stubs, to determine the value of your recoverable damages. When an injury leads to a career change, permanent wage loss, or loss of earning capacity, you are entitled to compensation for your losses.
- Emotional pain and suffering: Physical pain takes a tremendous toll on accident victims. Those injured in severe motorcycle accidents can recover compensation for the emotional distress in the aftermath of a crash. Intangible damages are difficult to calculate, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek compensation for your suffering. Your injuries could lead to mental suffering like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder, and you may be eligible to seek recovery through mental health treatments like therapy.
Motorcycle accident claims involving more serious injuries are typically worth more than minor injury claims. When motorcycle accidents are serious and involve catastrophic injuries, the at-fault party’s insurance company will do whatever it takes to dispute the pain and suffering claims. Put your trust in a motorcycle accident lawyer who can maximize the value of your claim and help you obtain the financial recovery you deserve and need to move forward.
Motorcycle Accident FAQ
#1. The insurance company contacted me after my accident. What should I do?
If the at-fault party’s insurance company contacted you, refrain from providing them with any information. You are not required to answer any questions and consult an attorney who can speak with an insurance investigator for you.
The insurance company is not looking out for your best interests and will use questions designed to trick you into saying something that may reduce the value of your accident claim. Consult with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who can assist you in dealing with tricky insurance adjusters.
#2. The insurance company offered me a settlement. Why should I hire a lawyer?
The insurance company is in the business of limiting costs as much as possible. When they attempt to settle with victims as quickly, it typically won’t be the amount the victim deserves or needs to recover.
A motor accident lawyer can calculate the full extent of your losses and carefully review the initial settlement offer. Your lawyer should prepare to fight for the full and fair compensation you need to recover after a motorcycle accident.
#3. How long will it take for my motorcycle accident case to settle?
Determining the time for how long your motorcycle accident claim takes to settle is almost impossible. Working with a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer is the best way to put your case on track. Your attorney can also provide you with an estimate of how long it may take for your case to settle after reviewing all pertinent variables in your claim.
#4. What are economic damages in motorcycle accident cases?
Economic or special damages in motorcycle cases include:
- Repair or replacement expenses for your damaged motorcycle
- Medical expenses
- Future healthcare costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of irreplaceable items
These damages are the easiest to quantify, calculate, and prove.
#5. Should I still see a doctor even if I feel fine after an accident?
After any motorcycle crash, it is crucial to seek an evaluation from a medical professional. You may suffer from internal injuries or injuries with delayed symptoms that you haven’t noticed. A medical professional can help you determine if you have sustained injuries that may be unnoticeable to the untrained eye.
Seeing a healthcare professional can also protect your right to compensation after a motorcycle crash. Request and keep copies of your medical records, which will showcase the full extent of your injuries. Your attorney will submit these records to the insurance company as evidence.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case
If a motorcycle accident hurt you or a loved one, don’t face the long road to recovery on your own. Get in touch with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who can help you recover the compensation you need to get back to normal. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer near you today for a free claim evaluation and learn your legal options.