What should you do if you have been hurt or injured in a motorcycle accident?

The summer is coming, the weather is changing, and motorcycle riders are ready for a new season of fun. However, have you thought about what to do in the event that you are involved in a serious motorcycle accident? What you should do will depend on the severity of your accident and injuries. If you have been seriously hurt or injured, you may not be able to do anything due to the extent of your injuries. Motorcycle accidents and injuries are normally the most severe amongst motor vehicle accidents.

If you are a regular rider, it is a good idea to leave instructions for a friend or loved one if the event that you end up in the hospital and cannot communicate with anyone.

Find a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

A motorcycle accident and injury attorney can help you navigate the legal system and help you get compensation for your injuries if others were at fault. Oftentimes attorneys are only called after a horrific accident or injury that caused a serious injury or even death to a biker. An experienced accident and personal injury lawyer can help you plan for a motorcycle accident, collision, serious injury or crash.

Estate Planning For Motorcycle Riders

Most biker think they are invincible and do not plan or talk about plans for the end of life – this is especially true amongst younger bike riders. If you are a regular rider, it is a good idea to have an estate plan in place. It could be something as simple as a will and a medical power of attorney. You could also add a trust, depending on the amount of assets you have. A possible future motorcycle crash is a good reason to have an estate plan in place, but estate planning is always smart to prepare for. When you have an estate plan in place like a medical power of attorney or a living will – it will be much easier for your loved ones to manage your affairs and make decisions for you in the event that you should suffer from a serious or catastrophic injury.

Motorcycle Accident Scene

If you can move after the accident, check on others involved in the accident. Then contact 911 to let them know that you were involved in a motorcycle accident and that you need help and an ambulance if your injuries are severe. Gather contact information, registration, and insurance information from all those involved in the incident. Additionally, obtain contact information from any witnesses that you may see in the area. Ask witnesses what they saw and take notes. You can use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene – make sure you get photos from many different angles. Take photos of any skid or tire marks and pictures of any property damage.

Allow the emergency medical people to thoroughly check you over. Once the police release you from the scene, go to the hospital and ask for a complete checkup. Sometimes injuries will not appear for hours or even a day or two after an accident due to adrenaline in your body. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, you should still have a thorough medical examination.

The sooner you can speak with an attorney, the better. You are more likely to remember pertinent facts and information immediately after an accident. If you wait to talk to an attorney, you might forget about something that could make or break your case.

Contact Your Insurance Company

It is important to let your insurance company know that you were involved in an accident, even if the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible. When you contact the insurance company, only give the representative your name, contact information, date and location of the accident, the other driver’s insurance and contact information, and your attorney’s contact information. Let your lawyer provide all other details after you make initial contact. Do not forget – insurance companies are in business to make money. The representative may try to get you to discuss the accident – refer them to your motorcycle accident attorney. The insurance company may twist your words to deny your claim. If the insurance company cannot find a reason to deny your claim, they may use what you say against you in an attempt to offer you a low-ball settlement. Attorneys with experience in motorcycle crashes know the tricks that insurance companies will use. Since most people do not deal with the insurance companies regularly other than to pay insurance premiums, you may not be aware of these tactics. Some victims of motorcycle wrecks may try to settle on their own, however do not recommend proceeding without legal representation. In most cases, those who try to settle their claim without the help of a lawyer will receive less compensation than those who hire an attorney. The insurance company will not tell you if you are entitled to compensation for some injuries, but an attorney can evaluate all of your injuries and determine the true value of your claim.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Some injuries that can occur in a motorcycle accident include:

  • Back & spinal cord injuries
  • Brain injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Bumps, bruises, cuts, scrapes, & scratches.
  • Burns
  • Face & eye injuries
  • Head, neck & shoulder injuries.
  • Internal injuries
  • Open wounds
  • Road rash

Recovering Damages After a Motorcycle Accident

Economic Damages – some damages include past medical expenses, future medical expenses, past lost wages, future lost wages, replacement or repair of destroyed property (including your bike) and funeral, burial or cremation expenses if you lost a loved one in a catastrophic motorcycle accident.

Non-Economic Damages – pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, loss of companionship, loss of consortium (if you can no longer have a physical relationship with your spouse), inconvenience expenses (if you have to hire someone to do chores you normally do, including house cleaning, grocery shopping, lawn maintenance, and home maintenance and repair), and extra compensation for scarring and disfigurement.

Courts will normally award non-economic damages if doctors believe that your injuries will lead to long-term or permanent disabilities or if you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident. Contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer for a free case evaluation if you have suffered serious injuries or have lost a loved due to a motorcycle accident.

The personal injury attorneys at Healy Scanlon Law Firm are proud to have obtained more than 50 verdicts and settlements in excess of $1,000,000.00 for our clients. We have also obtained many multi-million dollar verdicts and judgements for our clients. We have a track record of success and have established a reputation by recovering RECORD SETTING JURY VERDICTS/JUDGMENTS for our clients.