No one plans on getting into a motorcycle accident; when one happens, it can feel confusing and disorienting. It may surprise you so much that you don't know your next steps.
After a motorcycle accident, seek medical treatment and legal help from a qualified Bronx motorcycle accident lawyer
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Your health and well-being take priority over anything else. Seek proper medical care after any type of accident due to the potential extreme severity of injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident.
If you were in a motorcycle accident, get medical help. Then, seek the services of a seasoned motorcycle accident attorney who can ensure you can continue to get the medical care you deserve.
The Importance of Seeing a Doctor As Soon As Possible
Don't put off getting medical attention after a motorcycle accident.
Make this a priority because of:
Possible Life-Threatening Injuries
First, you can have severe or even life-threatening injuries and not even know it. Internal organ damage and bleeding are common in severe accidents involving motorcycles. These injuries require immediate examination, diagnosis, and treatment for the best possible medical outcome.
Possible Injuries Without Symptoms
You can also have other injuries that aren't showing symptoms yet. Too many accident victims don't have pain, discomfort, or other symptoms. They make the mistake of thinking they are okay when, in reality, they aren't. Unfortunately, not every condition has symptoms right away.
In addition, sometimes, the adrenaline after an accident can cause victims not to feel pain immediately. Stay on the safe side and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Support Your Legal Claim
Seeking medical attention as soon as possible after your motorcycle accident can also help establish your legal claim. It shows that you took your injuries and health seriously. Having your injuries documented immediately will reduce the chances that the at-fault party's insurance company can say that you somehow injured yourself after the accident—which will relieve them of their liability.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Like other types of motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents can cause various injuries, from minor to fatal. The extent of your injuries will play a role in how much compensation you might receive in your motorcycle accident claim.
Back and Neck Injuries
Back injuries can range from muscle strains and sprains to more severe conditions like herniated discs or fractures of the vertebrae. Neck injuries may include whiplash, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and restricted mobility. Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and then snapped back.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) and Paralysis
A severe motorcycle accident can result in spinal cord injuries, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis. This life-altering condition can significantly affect a victim's quality of life and may require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Broken Bones
Motorcycle accidents often lead to fractures, ranging from simple to more complex compound fractures. These injuries may require surgeries, immobilization, and extensive rehabilitation to regain full mobility.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are a significant concern in motorcycle accidents, even if the rider wears a helmet. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can cause life-altering injuries that may necessitate ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.
Lacerations, Abrasions, and Cuts
The impact of a motorcycle accident can lead to skin injuries, including cuts, abrasions, and lacerations. Depending on their severity, these injuries may require sutures, wound care, and, in severe cases, surgical intervention. The injuries also risk infection.
Friction Burns (Road Rash)
Friction burns, commonly called road rash, occur when a rider's skin comes into contact with the road during a crash. These injuries can include severe, deep burns, depending on the speed of the accident and the protective gear worn.
Burns
Motorcycle accidents can lead to friction burns from contact with the road or more severe burns from contact with hot surfaces or substances. Severe burns may require extensive treatment, including skin grafts and rehabilitation.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries can include damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries may not immediately appear but can cause significant pain and limitation of movement in the days following the accident.
Amputations
In severe accidents, riders may experience traumatic amputations of limbs due to the force of impact. This type of injury has profound and long-lasting effects on a person's quality of life and mobility.
Facial Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can result in facial injuries, including jaw, cheekbones, or nose fractures. Additionally, riders may experience cuts, bruises, and dental injuries from impact with the ground or other objects.
Psychological Trauma
Motorcycle accidents can have lasting psychological effects on victims, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. These emotional injuries can significantly impact a person's overall well-being.
The severity and type of injuries can vary widely based on factors such as the speed of the collision, protective gear, and the involvement of other vehicles.
Prompt medical attention and ongoing care will maximize recovery and minimize long-term effects. Victims of motorcycle accidents need immediate medical attention, then they need a qualified attorney to explain their rights and potential for compensation.
Too many motorcyclists believe their injuries don’t warrant medical attention or legal representation. This is a mistake. Even if you have no apparent injuries, seek a medical evaluation if you have any unusual symptoms, including pain, soreness, stiffness, disorientation, sleep issues, and more. If you receive a diagnosis, seek legal assistance.
Follow Your Medical Treatment Plans and the Advice of Your Medical Providers
In addition to seeking medical care initially after a motorcycle accident, continue with treatment and follow your doctor's advice. No matter how well you feel or how ridiculous you think a treatment is, always follow your doctor's orders if you have an injury claim.
Not following what your medical providers tell you to do will show the insurance company:
- Your injuries aren't that severe
- Your pain isn't that bad
- You don't care about getting better
- You don't take your injuries seriously
- You generally aren't being honest about your injuries
- Your medical treatment is unnecessary and, therefore, doesn't deserve compensation
Members of your healthcare team might instruct you to attend physical therapy, have surgery, refrain from returning to work, lift more than 10 pounds, or exercise strenuously. No matter what they tell you to do, do it to contribute to the validity of your claim.
You might think no one will notice if you go back to work or the gym, but sometimes insurance companies send investigators to watch you. You may not notice them, but they see you outside playing basketball with your children, bringing heavy groceries inside the house, or even leaving for work in the morning.
You never know who is watching you or when. Therefore, obey your doctor's instructions.
The Importance of Seeking Legal Representation After a Motorcycle Accident
To protect your rights following a motorcycle accident, enlist the services of a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney. Their skills and experience play a crucial role in upholding your rights. Here's how they can benefit your claim.
Handling Communications with the Insurance Company
Your attorney can take charge of interactions with the insurance company, shielding you from inadvertently compromising your claim or diminishing its worth. Suppose you need to engage with the insurance company or their adjuster. In that case, your lawyer can safeguard your interests.
Gathering and Safeguarding Vital Evidence
A proficient motorcycle accident attorney understands the importance of compelling evidence to support your compensation claim. They know precisely what evidence to gather and how to preserve it effectively, reinforcing your rights in the process.
Adhering to Statutes of Limitations
Filing your case within your state's applicable statute of limitations is crucial should your motorcycle accident claim progress to court. This deadline typically ranges from one to four years post-accident. Missing this cutoff may forfeit your right to pursue compensation through legal channels. Specific circumstances, such as government entity involvement, can influence these deadlines, underscoring the need for a seasoned attorney to navigate them.
Facilitating Proper Medical Care
Your lawyer can ensure you receive appropriate medical care from licensed professionals whose assessments will bolster your claim. They can also use your medical bills and records to highlight injuries and damages.
Skillful Negotiation With the Insurance Company
Negotiating a settlement with the insurance company requires understanding your claim's true value. Unfortunately, handling these negotiations independently can result in an inadequate settlement. Your attorney will advocate for the rightful worth of your claim, leveraging the strengths of your case while exposing weaknesses in the insurance company's stance.
Avoiding Social Media Pitfalls
Your attorney will caution you about the potential hazards of using social media during a personal injury case. Insurance companies often scrutinize victims' social media accounts, seeking any content they might use to dispute or devalue their claims. Your attorney will guide you on how to navigate this aspect, protecting your rights and interests.
The most skilled motorcycle accident lawyer has what it takes to protect your rights and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. You need their guidance to navigate the complexities of a motorcycle accident claim.
Meet with a Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorney
One of the most important steps you can take after you crash your motorcycle is to meet with a skilled motorcycle accident attorney. Many attorneys will provide a free consultation to evaluate your case. You can tell them what happened during this meeting and show them any evidence you collected. They will ask about your injuries, how they have affected your life and your accident-related expenses. If the attorney believes they can handle your claim, you can hire them to represent you.
Do You Need Money to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Some motorcycle accident victims mistakenly believe that they must have a large sum of money to hire an attorney after an injury accident. They end up missing out on the legal guidance they need to receive compensation for their injuries.
However, most personal injury lawyers, including those who represent motorcycle accident victims, work on a contingency fee basis. As such, you don't need any money upfront or during the process of your legal claim. If and when they win your case or obtain a settlement on your behalf, they will receive payment from the proceeds of your compensation.
Without a motorcycle accident lawyer, you might encounter many questions or concerns and not know where to turn during your insurance claim. You want someone else to take care of your insurance claim for you.
This gives you time to rest and heal instead of spending hours on the phone, returning emails, or tracking down documents.
Bronx Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Insurance companies will have attorneys working for them, so you need legal representation. After all, you probably have much more at stake than they do.
Most people don’t know what to do after a motorcycle crash. Since they aren't common experiences, it's natural not to know what to do.
Seek medical care and the opinion of a seasoned personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced Bronx personal injury attorney can answer your questions and advise you on your next move. They can ensure that you take all of the necessary steps to protect your claim and avoid any pitfalls that can lead to the denial or devaluation of your claim.
