According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA), most multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents happen because vehicle drivers didn’t see the motorcycle rider. Other common causes of motorcycle accidents include driver intoxication, distracted driving, improper left-hand turns, uneven road surfaces, bad weather, road hazards, and speeding. In any of these types of accidents, motorcycle riders are likely to suffer severe injuries.
If you or someone you love was injured in a negligence-based motorcycle accident, the driver could be legally compelled to compensate you. A motorcycle accident lawyer in your area will explain the laws of your state and your rights as the injured party. They will demand recovery of your medical bills, lost income, and other economic and non-economic damages.
You Must Prove the Cause of Your Motorcycle Accident to Collect Compensation
Identifying the at-fault driver in your motorcycle accident is not enough to recover damages. To hold them responsible, you are also required to prove they were negligent in causing the accident.
If you work with a motor vehicle accident lawyer, they will prove the driver owed you a duty of care, failed to provide it, and caused your accident, injuries, and financial damages. The law firm handling your case will work to build an evidence file that proves these factors convincingly.
The Importance of a Compelling Evidence Collection After a Motorcycle Accident
The story of your motorcycle accident is told by the evidence. It will prove the negligence that caused your accident and the value of your requested damages. The collection of evidence will generally include:
- Motorcycle accident report
- Accident reconstruction
- Accident scene photos
- Medical records and bills
- First responder reports
- Photos of your injuries
- Salary history records
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert witness statements
- Surveillance and dashcam video
Your motorcycle accident attorney will not ask you or your family to track down or collect evidence. Instead, they will gather evidence to build your case and use it to prove your right to compensation and fight for a settlement versus a trial.
Your Lawyer Will Demand Compensation From the At-Fault Vehicle Driver After Your Motorcycle Crash
When you work with a lawyer, they will assess your damages, create a demand letter, and submit it along with the supporting evidence collected to the at-fault party and their insurance provider. If a settlement is not forthcoming, your lawyer will be ready to take your case to court.
Seek Compensation for Medical Bills and Additional Economic Damages
Economic damages are usually straightforward to document and calculate because they are often accompanied by bills, receipts, and estimates. Your lawyer will collect these losses for you, depending on the details of your case:
- Costs of medical treatment
- Treatment-related travel costs
- Past and future lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage or destruction
- Diminished property value
Your lawyer will explain the importance of collecting all the documents that support the monetary value of these damages, which takes time. Taking time to do so is important, though, to avoid a speedy, yet insufficient, settlement.
Pursue a Settlement for Pain and Suffering and Additional Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible and might be hard to quantify on your own. If a lawyer takes on your case, they will collect tangible documents that prove the value of:
- Physical impairments
- Disfiguring injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
Your lawyer will also have in-depth communications with you so as to fully understand the toll the accident and your injuries have taken on your life and lifestyle.
Wrongful Death Damages After Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
If the loss of a loved one in a motorcycle accident is what led you to our website and to this page in particular, we extend to you our heartfelt condolences. Of course, nothing could ever make up for the loss of a loved one due to negligence. The unexpected loss could leave your family with long-lasting financial hardship, though, and the at-fault party should be held accountable for compensating your family.
Wrongful death damages your lawyer will pursue after a motorcycle accident fatality include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of your loved one’s income
- Loss of their domestic contributions
- Loss of consortium (the special damages a person suffers when their spouse is a wrongful death victim,) and companionship
- Loss of guidance, support, and society
Your personal injury attorney will explain who the state allows filing a wrongful death action and which family members are allowed to recover damages.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Will Manage Every Detail of Your Case
Personal injury lawyers advocate for the injured clients they represent and hold at-fault parties accountable for their negligence. Most will accept your case on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning they will cover the costs of building your case. At no upfront cost to you, they will:
- Review your motorcycle accident report
- Conduct an independent investigation
- Review your medical records with experts
- Draft and file your insurance claim or lawsuit
- Handle all case-related communication
- Request an accident reconstruction report
- Locate and interview accident witnesses
- Negotiate an appropriate monetary settlement
- Take your case to court if it becomes necessary
- Fight relentlessly to win the best possible case outcome for you
While your lawyer handles the legalities of your case, you have time to focus on your recovery or a loved one’s recovery. They will also provide you with regular and timely updates as your case progresses.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Recovering damages after a motorcycle accident means filing an insurance claim or lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit has a state-imposed time limitation known as the statute of limitations. If your lawsuit is not filed before the statute of limitations expires, it will be dismissed without being heard and you will have lost your right to recover any compensation for your injuries.
The insurance company and legal representatives for the at-fault driver will also track the filing deadline. If it expires, they will refuse to negotiate any further which, as stated above but we repeat here for emphasis, will leave you with no available legal recourse to compel compensation.
The statute of limitations that properly applies to your accident claim can vary depending on the details of your case, making it hard to comply on your own. If a lawyer represents you, they will explain, accurately interpret, and comply with the filing deadline.
Contact One of Our Motorcycle Accident Consultation Team Members Today
If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident, or a loved one was fatally injured, our motorcycle accident lawyer will demand appropriate compensation. We will explain the most common cause of motorcycle accidents and define the exact cause of your accident.
When you are ready to seek compensation, contact one of our consultation team members at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. to get started right away. We’re available to take phone calls 24/7.