Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident can be difficult. Crashes involving a motorcycle can be far more devastating than crashes between other vehicles.
According to the National Safety Council, motorcyclists make up 14% of all traffic fatalities despite driving just 0.6% of all miles traveled.
Motorcyclists know the importance of riding safely. Even relatively minor accidents can lead to severe injuries when a motorcycle is involved. Further, many motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of other drivers.
If someone else caused you to suffer an injury in a motorcycle crash, you deserve compensation. At Peerali Law, we understand how vital focusing on recovery can be.
Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys can handle the law, so you don’t have to. We have recovered millions of dollars of compensation for accident victims.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
What Is the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Cause?
Motorcycle accidents have many causes. While safely riding can minimize your chances of being in a crash, some accidents can not be avoided.
Many times other drivers are at fault. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Reckless driving,
- Speeding,
- Sudden stops,
- Distracted driving,
- Dangerous road conditions,
- Turning without a signal,
- Sudden lane changes,
- Pulling out in front of a motorcycle,
- Quickly opened car doors, and
- Driving under the influence.
Another driver’s negligent decision can be deadly for someone on a motorcycle. Further, it is often difficult to prove the primary cause of a motorcycle accident.
If you were involved in a crash, a motorcycle accident lawyer could help you get to the bottom of what happened.
What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
The injuries that motorcycle crash victims suffer can be debilitating. Motorcyclists lack the same protection as the occupants of other vehicles.
This vulnerability increases the chances that a motorcycle crash victim will suffer severe injuries. What are the most common motorcycle accident injuries?
Common motorcycle accident injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injury,
- Other head trauma,
- Broken bones,
- Severe road rash,
- Deep Lacerations,
- Severe contusions,
- Burns,
- Whiplash,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Post-traumatic stress injuries, and
- Damage to internal organs.
Seeking immediate medical attention after a motorcycle crash is critical. Medical professionals can identify potentially life-threatening injuries and give you the best chance of fully recovering.
Seeking medical attention will also lend credibility to your legal claims.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Protecting yourself and others on the scene is the priority after a motorcycle accident. So what to do after a motorcycle accident?
From a legal perspective, there are also some things you should do to protect your ability to hold the responsible party accountable.
Call 911
Immediately after the accident, it is crucial to get everyone to a safe place and call 911. Calling 911 will summon medical professionals and the police to the scene.
The police will begin an investigation and put together a police report. Get a copy of the police report if you can.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If you have been in a motorcycle accident involving another driver, chances are you suffered an injury.
Seek medical attention immediately, and be sure to report all injuries and symptoms to medical staff, even if you think they are minor.
Sometimes minor symptoms are indicators of a severe underlying condition. Detailed medical records will help you prove your injuries during settlement negotiations or in court.
Get the Driver’s Information
It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident that caused an injury in California. If the driver remains on the scene, get their contact and insurance information.
If the driver flees, remember their license plate number, their car’s make, model, and color, and any other identifying information you can obtain.
Better yet, get a photo of the license plate and car if you can. If you cannot remember the car or driver, ask any witnesses if they remember.
Collect Evidence
Take pictures of everything at the scene. Attorneys can often use small details to bolster a personal injury case. Also, gather contact information for any witnesses and keep detailed records after the crash.
Write down an account of what you remember. Keep medical bills and records of time off work.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney from Peerali Law can help you prove your claims. The earlier an attorney gets involved, the better.
File an Insurance Claim
File a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company with the help of your lawyer. Providing the insurance company with a strong case right away might make the settlement process easier.
Settle Your Claim or File a Lawsuit
Most personal injury claims are settled out of court. Unfortunately, sometimes insurance companies are uncooperative, and you will have to file a lawsuit.
An experienced personal injury attorney can advise you regarding if or when you should file a lawsuit.
What Is the Average Payout for a Motorcycle Accident?
What is the average payout for a motorcycle accident? It is difficult to estimate the average payout for a motorcycle accident.
Even if it were easy, the information would not be very helpful. Payouts can range from a few thousand dollars to multiple millions of dollars.
Factors such as the severity of your injuries, medical costs, and time spent away from work will factor into how much your claim might be worth.
Does No-Fault Cover Motorcycle Accidents?
California is not a no-fault state but does no-fault cover motorcycle accidents? This means that the at-fault driver’s insurance will be the one to pay the claim.
It also means collecting evidence and proving the other driver is at fault is essential. A personal injury attorney can help you prove fault after an accident.
How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Take?
How long does a motorcycle accident lawsuit take? A vast majority of motorcycle accident cases are settled out of court.
In most cases, attorneys can settle with insurance companies reasonably quickly. However, if you must file a lawsuit, the lawsuit might take a significant amount of time to play out.
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney is essential to determine how best to pursue your case.
When Do You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Whan do you need a motorcycle accident lawyer? If you suffered a significant injury in a motor vehicle accident, it is advisable to hire an attorney.
The skilled attorneys at Peerali Law can guide you through the process and help you obtain the best settlement possible.
If your case goes to court, we can represent you from start to finish. Peerali law takes an innovative and creative approach to legal matters that drives success. Contact us today and schedule a consultation.
Kristopher earned his J.D. at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law where he was a member of the Review of Law and Social Justice honors law journal and was awarded several scholastic honors.
Loading...