Motorcycle accidents produce devastating effects that impact both the physical health and financial stability of victims. Motorcycle accident injuries tend to be severe which causes medical bills to accumulate rapidly while insurance companies frequently engage in unfair compensation practices.
But here’s the thing…
The number of motorcycle fatalities rose by more than 25% between 2013 and 2022, as deaths increased from 4,610 to 6,165 according to the latest report.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, consulting with a qualified personal injury attorney in Kennesaw can make all the difference in your case outcome. These legal professionals comprehend the complicated legal environment and guide clients through the specific difficulties encountered in motorcycle accident claims.
What you’ll discover:
- Motorcycle Accidents: The Hard Facts
- Take These Steps Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident
- Document Everything
- Dealing With Insurance Companies
- Calculate The True Value Of Your Claim
Motorcycle Accidents: The Hard Facts
The statistics surrounding motorcycle accidents are sobering. The number of motorcyclist deaths from crashes reached an unprecedented high of 6,222 in 2022 showing a 23% rise from the 2019 figures.
Although motorcyclists account for just 3.5% of registered vehicles they make up 13.8% to 15.7% of traffic fatalities.
But here’s what’s really shocking…
Motorcyclists experience fatality rates approximately 24 times greater per mile than car drivers because motorcycles lack protective enclosures and are less visible to other road users.
Motorcyclists experienced 77,591 injuries during 2022 which translates to more than 212 injuries each day making claim maximization knowledge absolutely essential.
Take These Steps Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident
Immediate decisions and actions taken during the minutes and days after your accident will determine the success of your injury claim. Here’s what you must do:
- Prioritize safety and medical attention: Get medical attention immediately even for injuries that seem minor. Certain severe injuries do not always present symptoms immediately.
- Report the accident: Contact law enforcement to make sure an official accident report is filed. The official report from the police functions as vital support evidence for your injury claim.
- Collect evidence at the scene: When you have the physical capability, capture images of the vehicles involved as well as the road conditions and any visible injuries you have. Get witness contact information.
- Avoid making statements that could hurt your claim: Refrain from admitting fault or saying you are unharmed to anyone present at the accident scene.
- Contact an attorney before speaking with insurance companies: Insurance adjusters may attempt to record your statements because these recordings can be used against your claim.
Document Everything: The validity of your claim depends entirely on the quality of your evidence.
The key to obtaining maximum compensation for your motorcycle accident lies in proper documentation.
Documentation. Thorough documentation of your accident details and injuries will determine whether you receive a minimal settlement or full compensation.
Here’s what you need to document:
Medical records and expenses: Maintain copies of your medical reports along with receipts for medications and equipment as well as travel expenses to medical appointments.
Lost income and earning capacity: Collect proof from your employer regarding your missed time and determine the total amount of lost wages.
Property damage: Photograph your damaged motorcycle from various angles and obtain repair estimates from multiple repair shops.
Pain and suffering: Maintain a daily log to track your pain intensity and the impact of injuries on your routine.
Traffic camera footage along with dashboard recordings and cell phone records can serve as vital electronic evidence in motorcycle crash cases to demonstrate driver distraction.
Dealing With Insurance Companies: Know Their Tactics
Insurance firms implement strategies which aim to reduce their financial payouts to claimants. Protecting your claim’s value requires knowledge of insurance company tactics.
Your settlement can be significantly affected by every conversation or email interaction with an insurance adjuster. If you’re aware of what will happen next you can prevent expensive errors.
The most common insurance company tactics include:
- Quick settlement offers: Insurance companies frequently present settlement offers right after your accident before you have the chance to fully comprehend the extent of your injuries. The starting settlement offers from insurance companies generally fall well below the real value of your claim. Hospital visits from certain adjusters aim to get you to accept an offer while you are still experiencing stress.
- Requesting recorded statements: Adjusters will request recorded statements because they want you to say something which could reduce the value of your claim. You have the right to refuse a recorded statement without your attorney’s presence. Insurance adjusters ask questions in a manner that could cause you to acknowledge some fault and reduce the perceived severity of your injuries.
- Delay tactics: Certain insurers intentionally extend claim processing time to encourage financially desperate policyholders to accept reduced compensation offers. Insurance companies recognize that accumulating medical expenses and lost salaries build financial stress which pushes people to accept their lower settlement offers over time.
- Surveillance: For expensive claims insurance firms hire investigators who track you while recording your daily activities. Insurance companies search for proof that your injuries are less serious than you describe. They may possess pictures depicting you in activities that contradict your injury statements.
- Social media monitoring: Insurance adjusts monitor claimants’ social media postings to find information that may oppose their injury claims. Pictures showing you happily smiling at family gatherings can be presented as evidence that you do not experience pain.
The best defense against these predatory tactics? An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can effectively combat these tactics to defend your legal rights. A skilled lawyer will manage all interactions with the insurance firm so you avoid falling into their typical traps.
Calculate The True Value Of Your Claim
Many victims fail to understand the full value of their claim because they only consider their existing bills. A comprehensive claim should include:
1. Economic damages
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Property damage and out-of-pocket expenses
2. Non-economic damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
According to statistics, helmet use significantly reduces fatalities and brain injuries: Helmets reduce fatalities by 37% while providing a 67% protection rate against brain injuries. This important data can impact your claim.
Your personal injury attorney will collaborate with experts to determine your damages accurately including those you will face now and in the future.
The Road Forward: Key Takeaways
Recovering from a motorcycle accident presents significant challenges while managing claims during recovery. You can obtain maximum compensation while directing your attention to recovering through an appropriate strategy.
Key strategies to remember:
- Act quickly to preserve evidence
- Maintain comprehensive records of all information connected to your accident and resulting injuries.
- Understand insurance tactics to counter them effectively
- Compute the complete worth of your claim by accounting for future damages.
Statistics show the heightened risks motorcyclists face. Motorcycle riders encounter hazardous situations since alcohol plays a role in 29% of deadly crashes and speeding causes 37% of motorcycle fatalities resulting in serious injuries.
Each state has a specific statute of limitations for filing claims which makes timing essential. Injured individuals should seek professional guidance to handle this complicated procedure. A skilled personal injury lawyer will ensure you receive your rightful compensation so you can concentrate on your recovery.
