- 5 min
Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle Accident Representation
What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident
Call The Police
Never Admit Fault
It’s entirely human to reflect on your actions immediately after an accident. You might feel partially responsible and apologize to the other driver or the police about how you might have made a mistake. You should never do this until a comprehensive investigation has been conducted. Insurance companies will use your admission of fault against you once you file a claim.
In fact, it’s best to minimize talking with other parties, especially the at-fault driver or witnesses. Remember, anything you say can be used against you. It’s best to only speak with your Orlando personal injury lawyer.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel perfectly fine, if you were on a motorcycle that someone has crashed into, you may have internal or unfelt injuries that are not immediately apparent – especially if you are in shock.
Additionally, if you wait days or weeks to get treatment from a doctor, the insurance company will point out that you could have gotten injured another way. Therefore, it’s essential to see a doctor as soon as possible to establish a trail of evidence for your injury claim.
Document Everything
If it’s clear that the other person was at fault, it’s essential to gather all your documents for your motorcycle accident case so you can get the compensation you deserve, including:
- Medical bills and reports
- The accident report from the police
- The at-fault driver’s name, address, phone number and other contact information
- Insurance information
- Witness statements
To successfully win your case, it’s essential that you establish the at-fault driver and how the crash resulted in your injuries by gathering evidence, photos, video footage, medical records and witness statements.
How We Can Help You as your Motorcycle Accident Attorney
After an Orlando motorcycle accident, you may have suffered many damages, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and property damage.
You may have sustained multiple injuries in your motorcycle accident, including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, cuts and sprains and other injuries. Your accident attorneys can determine how severe your injuries are when helping you file your claim.
Additionally, if you have gone to the emergency room or doctor after the accident, you may need to be compensated for any medical expenses.
If you had taken some time to heal, you might have had a recovery period that resulted in reduced or lost wages. Additionally, if you have a long-term disability, your future wages can be impacted negatively.
Aside from financial compensation, you may also be eligible to seek emotional compensation for pain and suffering, loss of consortium if a loved one died and any injuries suffered.
Injuries From A Motorcycle Accident
Since motorcycles are less stable and visible than motor vehicles, any accident can be serious or even fatal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die than passenger vehicle occupants in a motor vehicle collision.
Some prevalent injuries suffered from Orlando motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: even wearing a helmet does not fully protect riders from brain injury.
- Leg injuries and lower extremity injuries are prevalent, including bone fractures.
- Internal injuries and bleeding are often caused by trauma or when an object penetrates the skin during the accident.
- Fractures are extremely common, especially if a heavy motorcycle falls on the rider during a crash. Legs, arms, hands and wrists can all be injured if the rider tries to protect themself.
- Road rash happens when a driver slides on the surface of the road during an accident. Road rash can be mild to severe and can be prone to infections or scarring.
- Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis or catastrophic permanent disability
- Eye, face and neck injuries
The health care costs on the road to recovery can be devastating, especially if you can no longer work. Seeking financial reparation is likely the best recourse for anyone who needs to cover the financial, emotional and psychological toll of such losses.
Motorcycle Accidents Versus Motor Vehicle Accidents
For many, a motorcycle injury can require multiple surgeries and physical therapy to recover fully. In comparison to car accidents, motorcycle recovery costs can be staggering. Since they usually involve extensive bodily injury and property damage, the at-fault driver must be held responsible for your financial compensation so you can get back on track.
It is just as crucial that you seek accident attorneys who are well-versed in motorcycle injuries and the specific injuries and problems that can arise. Your attorney will be able to speak to the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf and fight for you in court, if necessary.
Insurance Companies And Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can lead to debilitating injuries like severe burns, fractures, traumatic brain injuries and road rash. Therefore, it is vital that you choose assertive and competent motorcycle accident attorneys that understand local laws, Florida laws and insurance providers. Insurance companies will traditionally try to protect their assets and pay as little as possible. Having a knowledgeable law firm on your side shows them you mean business.
Florida has no-fault insurance and personal injury protection laws that unfortunately do not apply to motorcycles. However, motorcycles fall under financial responsibility laws, which all cars fall under. While motor vehicle accidents may need to prove lifelong injuries to seek monetary compensation, motorcycles are exempt. As a motorcyclist, you will not need to confirm this.
Common Motorcycle Accident Questions
Getting into a motorcycle crash can easily result in severe permanent bodily injury, wrongful death, property damage and more – even if you abide by traffic laws. At The Turnbull Law Firm, we are happy to offer guidance and answer any motorcycle accident-related questions.
Can I still get compensation if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Like most legal cases, it depends on variables like which part of your body was injured. If you experience a head injury, it does not automatically mean that the other driver is exempt from liability. It is possible to recover some financial compensation.
Will health insurance from my employer reduce my total claim?
Fortunately, it does not matter if your provided health insurance company can compensate you for any damages. Depending on the insurance provider, they may request reimbursement for any medical bills that resulted from the motorcycle accident.
What is loss of consortium?
Spouses can have a cause for loss of consortium if their spouse has suffered a personal injury due to an accident. Consortium refers to the companionship, help and relations of a spouse. If the quality of both people’s lives has been vastly reduced due to a Florida motorcycle accident, there may be a valid claim.
Why You Need A Motorcycle Accident Attorney
According to Florida law, if you were hurt riding a motorcycle – or if your family member or loved one did not survive a fatal motorcycle accident – and are not being held responsible for the crash, you are likely eligible for financial compensation from the at-fault party. We can help investigate your personal injury claim and strategize a case highlighting your current and future financial compensation needs with the insurance company.
- Frequently Asked Questions
