Motorcycle crash injuries are scary, especially if it is a head injury motorcycle accident. Motorcycle injury statistics by Forbes indicated that approximately 82,528 motorcyclists suffered injuries in motorcycle accidents in 2020, and most of these accidents were caused by unlicensed drivers. It is essential to know what are your rights if you get injured due to the negligence of an unlicensed driver or suffer from a defect in the manufacturing of your motorcycle. Knowing who to sue for damages if you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident can save you from delays in bringing your claim. Delays in injury lawsuits can significantly impact the outcome of your case. In this article, you will learn does health insurance cover motorcycle accident injuries and what to do when you suffer a motorcycle accident.
Injured in a motorcycle accident? Get help now from our experienced motorcycle injury lawyers to win the compensation that you deserve. You would not want to settle for less with your insurance company without having an understanding of the scope of the compensation you should be seeking, and only an expert and seasoned motorcycle accident injury lawyer can help you get an approximate and fair estimation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere. There are many common causes why a motorcycle accident can happen. Some of them are as follows:
- Changing a lane without a signal: Most motorcyclist face accidents because they fail to indicate or signal that they are about to change the lane.
- Collision with car doors: Often, the car drivers or other people don’t check if someone is coming behind the car when getting out of the car. Collision with car doors also causes motorcycle accidents.
- Speeding: Speeding is the main culprit behind all vehicle-related accidents, including motorcycle accidents.
- DUIs: Drunk drivers or motorcyclists also fall prey to motorcycle accidents on busy highways.
- Multitasking: Drivers who try to multitask during driving are often at high risk of motorcycle accidents as well as pedestrian accidents.
- Defects in motorcycles: Any defects in motorcycles such as brake failure, mechanical malfunctions, etc, also cause motorcycle accidents.
- Weather conditions: Storms, strong winds, rain, snow, stray animals on the road, etc, increases the risk of motorcycle accidents on the road.
- Road conditions: Defective roads, potholes, uneven and broken speed breakers, etc, cause the motorcycles to oscillate violently, and loss of balance results in accidents.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accident injuries can be fatal. According to motorcycle accident head injury statistics by the National Institutes of Health, 78% of head injuries in motorcycle accidents can cause death. Motorcycle accident head injury has the highest ratio than any other type of complication in a person injured in motorcycle accidents. Other types of injury can be bone fractures, internal bleeding, and damage to organs, tissues, or muscles. Motorcycle head injuries can also cause psychological issues.
What to do after a motorcycle accident?
Dealing with an injury from a motorcycle accident can be very challenging if you do not know how to proceed.
- First, you should seek proper medical attention immediately to ensure that the injury is treated as early as possible. Focus on your recovery and follow-ups to get back on your feet as soon as possible.
- Secondly, keep and save the receipts of all of your medical bills and expenses. You will need these bills when making a Worker’s Compensation claim.
- Third, if you have any image, video, or CCTV footage proof of the accident, prepare a file of them. Gather all the evidence you can collect to strengthen your case.
How to determine liability in a motorcycle accident?
Usually, insurance companies pay compensation if you are an insured motorcyclist. However, determining liability can be tricky in most motorcycle accidents due to the involvement of multiple parties, such as other drivers, government agencies, motorcycle manufacturers, etc. It is essential to identify the right parties to establish liability, and consulting an expert motorcycle injury accident lawyer is crucial.
Who has the right to file a motorcycle accident injury lawsuit?
Anyone who has suffered a motorcycle accident injury that resulted from the negligence of another driver has the right to file a motorcycle accident injury lawsuit. Most motorcycle accidents occur due to the carelessness of other drivers on the road. However, there may be other factors, such as a defect in your motorcycle, poorly maintained road, weather conditions, unexpected events, etc, that can also lead to a motorcycle accident. In such cases, you can either sue the manufacturers of the motorcycle company, or you can apply for compensation from the insurance company. Sometimes insurance companies can also deduct a portion of your compensation based on the degree of your own contributory negligence in an accident. For example, if you were not securing yourself properly during an accident i.e. no helmet or safety equipment, your compensation amount will be deducted to the extent of your negligence.
What is the average payout for motorcycle accident injury settlement?
The payout for motorcycle accident injury settlement may depend on the circumstances of each case. When calculating the compensation amount, several factors are considered, such as:
- Severity of injury
- Medical bills and expenses incurred in the treatment
- Loss of wages
- Permanent loss of financial means due to permanent disability
- Psychological, emotional, and mental injuries
- Mental torture and agony
- Other expenses and compensation
The ideal way to calculate how much the liable party owes you is to discuss the scope and circumstances of your case with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, it is crucial to consult a motorcycle injury lawyer on matters like liability, the amount of compensation you should be claiming, and whether it is a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance company claim. An injury lawyer can help you if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident.
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