Motorcycle Accidents

How Do I Get Maximum Compensation For A Motorcycle Accident?

July 21, 2023

Motorcycle accidents are often life-changing events.

Even the most careful motorcycle riders can still get involved in accidents and injured due to the small size of the bike and a lack of protection.

A motorcycle accident victim will likely be left with many damages, including medical bills, missed time at work, and property damage.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, you’re probably wondering how to receive maximum compensation for your accident damages.

In the article below, we’ll look at common factors that will affect the value of a motorcycle accident claim so you can be sure to get fair compensation.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

Knowing the leading causes of motorcycle accidents is the best way to prevent them from happening.

Here are a few common causes of motorcycle accidents:

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is a leading cause of injuries and death in motorcycle and car accidents.

Speeding and drunk driving cause many of today’s motorcycle accidents.

You can protect yourself against reckless drivers with modern safety gear, defensive driving, and safe bikes.

But motorcycle accidents are still possible even if you are fully protected.

 

Bad Traffic Conditions

Traffic conditions, like rush hour, can be hazardous for a motorcyclist. 

This is because the chances of a reckless or careless driver being on the road at the same time as you go up during rush hour.

Even if you are doing everything right, you are still exposed to other bad drivers.

 

Lane Splitting

During traffic jams, like in rush hour, some motorcyclists try to move from one lane to another to beat the traffic.

This is illegal in some states, and if it isn’t done carefully, the motorcyclist can ram into another vehicle, causing severe accidents and injuries.

 

Fixed Objects On the Road

A motorcycle wreck can also be caused by a fixed object on the road ahead.

Motorcyclists need to have complete focus on the road at all times.

If you’re riding your bike and break concentration, you could ram into a car, building, or tree, causing fatal injuries.

The best thing to do on a bike is to avoid distractions.

 

Weather Conditions

Heavy rain, wind, fog, or other adverse weather conditions can be dangerous to motorcyclists.

Even the slightest mistake while driving can cause an accident.

Weather conditions tend to lead to limited visibility for the driver, which can easily cause an accident.

 

What Are The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

The most common types of motorcycle accident injuries are often severe.

Without any protection for the motorcyclist, impacts with the road or another vehicle can cause a wide range of injuries.

Some of the most common types of injuries we see in our office are:

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Lower extremity injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Skull fractures
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Road rash
  • Scarring and disfigurement

Catastrophic injuries are common in even minor motorcycle accidents.

Crash victims often live with the repercussions of their accidents for the rest of their life.

Long-term, catastrophic injuries include brain damage, paralysis, and physical scars.

You may also suffer emotional and psychological damage from the trauma of a collision.

Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you receive maximum compensation for your motorcycle injuries.

 

What Can You Be Compensated For After A Motorcycle Accident?

You deserve to know how much compensation you may be able to receive for your motorcycle accident injuries, whether you have road rash or a traumatic brain injury.

Since every motorcycle accident is different, the best way to get an idea of your financial compensation is by getting legal advice from an experienced attorney.

There is no average settlement value after a motorcycle accident, and you will need a lawyer to help you identify, list, and calculate your damages.

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Loss of income
  • Disability-related costs
  • Motorcycle repairs or replacement and other property damage
  • Legal fees
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional damages
  • Loss of enjoyment
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Punitive damages

A motorcycle rider with a severe injury will have a higher settlement amount than someone with a minor injury.

Fatal motorcycle accidents are worth even more than those resulting in catastrophic injury.

A jury or the insurance companies will base an award on the severity of your injuries and how they’ve impacted your life.

Your insurance company will assess your medical bills and other tangible damages to evaluate the value of your motorcycle claim.

A motorcycle accident attorney can help maximize your financial recovery using proven legal strategies during negotiations.

 

How are Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case Calculated?

Damages in a personal injury case are usually divided into two types.

First are the damages that can be calculated, generally called specific damages.

There are also damages not capable of exact calculation, like pain and suffering.

Special damages include your past, present, and future lost earnings and lost earning capacity.

This includes employment benefits, medical bills, and other financial losses.

Special damages can be calculated because they have a specific dollar amount.

Pain and suffering can’t have an exact dollar amount assigned to it.

There are no guidelines or calculators to determine the value of pain and suffering.

Because of this, insurance companies use their good sense, background, and experience to determine pain and suffering.

 

How To Get Maximum Compensation After Your Motorcycle Accident

Every motorcycle accident has a unique set of circumstances, but motorcyclists injured in a crash can receive maximum compensation by doing the following after their accident:

 

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need to seek medical assistance right away.

Even if you don’t feel injured, you should still head to a medical professional to get looked over.

Some life-threatening injuries don’t present symptoms right away, but an accident doctor can spot and treat them, preventing further harm.

Seeking medical care also helps you recover compensation for your injuries by creating critical medical records that show the connection between your accident and injuries.

Call A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Right Away

Contacting a motorcycle accident lawyer right away after a motorcycle accident gives you the best possible chance of winning your motorcycle accident lawsuit.

The sooner your attorney can get to work, the more time they have to gather potentially crucial evidence and protect your rights.

Do not leave yourself vulnerable to losing important rights by trying to win your motorcycle accident claim without legal representation.

 

Don’t Settle Too Quickly

Often after an accident, the insurance companies representing the at-fault party will try to trick you into settling your accident claim for pennies-on-the-dollar.

Your insurance company will offer you what seems like a lot of money right away before you know what your claim is actually worth.

Don’t negotiate a settlement directly and refer anyone who reaches out to your attorney.

 

How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit?

Every state has a statute of limitations.

This means that motorcycle accident victims have a certain amount of time, usually two years have two years from the date of the accident, to take legal action against the parties at fault.

If you don’t meet this deadline, you will lose the right to seek compensation for crash injuries.

In special situations, you may have more or less than two years to file a lawsuit, so consult experienced motorcycle accident attorneys as soon as possible to make sure you meet any applicable deadline.

The sooner your lawyer starts working on your behalf, the better your chances are of securing necessary evidence and building the strongest possible case against the negligent parties.

 

Get Your Free Motorcycle Accident Case Review at Mabra Law Today

Being involved in a motorcycle crash is physically and emotionally draining.

That’s why you need to hire seasoned personal injury attorneys in Atlanta.

Mabra Law is ready and able to handle your case head-on.

The skilled motorcycle accident lawyers at Mabra Law know how to handle your entire motorcycle accident lawsuit for you.

They will do everything from dealing with insurance companies to filling out and delivering legal paperwork.

Our accident attorneys will fight to help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.

We offer a no-obligation, FREE initial case review for injured motorcycle accident victims.

Call us at 404-344-5255 or fill out our easy online contact form to get started with your FREE consultation today!

 

References:

https://www.rkmlaw.net/los-angeles-motorcycle-accident-attorney/

https://www.missourilawyers.com/motorcycle-injuries/

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-much-my-motorcycle-accident-injury-claim-worth.html

https://www.fosterwallace.com/blog/what-damages-could-be-awarded-after-a-motorcycle-accident-.cfm

https://www.keatingfirmlaw.com/post/average-motorcycle-accident-settlement

https://www.sallymorinlaw.com/motorcycle-accidents/injury-compensation/