As motorcycle ownership continues to rise in America, so too has the number of riders seriously injured and killed in accidents. The reason? It's not that motorcyclists are any less careful or law abiding than other motorists. In fact, bikers are far less likely to be involved in collisions than car and truck drivers. Unfortunately, when involved, they are almost always injured because motorcycles offer far less protection in a crash than automobiles.
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Legal Issues
Because bikers are about four times more likely to suffer injury in an accident than drivers, the chances that they will need legal representation is also much higher. That is not to say that a rider can sue because a crash damaged him or her. The law does not afford them special rights because Nashville motorcycle accident lawyer their vehicles offer less protection from serious injury. But when a motorist is negligent and harms a biker because of it, a claim can be brought against the offending driver.
Difficulties
As most bikers can attest, there is a certain amount of public bias against motorcyclists in America. Many drivers see them as daredevils who weave in and out of lanes without a care in the world. So, when they get hurt in an accident, the level of sympathy may be underwhelming. Some motorists may even conclude that they got what they deserved.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer is well aware of the unfavorable stereotypes some folks have about bikers. As a result, he or she must overcome these biases for a personal injury lawsuit to be successful. In most cases, that means clearly establishing negligence on the part of the other driver.
Types Of Damages Recoverable
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Punitive damages
Why Call An Attorney?
As mentioned, there is a big difference between regular car crashes and those that involve motorcycles. Like it or not, judges and juries tend to be less sympathetic towards bikers than regular drivers, and you'd better believe that the other driver's insurance company is aware of that fact. If their client were at fault, they would offer you a deal to settle the case before lawyers got involved. Don't be fooled! It's always best to leave all communications in the hands of a motorcycle accident lawyer. Why?
Because chronic injuries are expensive, insurance companies always try to settle cases before the full extent of your injuries is known. And if you settle and sign away your rights too soon, you may be stuck paying for another driver's negligence for a long, long time. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can get you the money you deserve. No matter what the other side might say, always consult a legal expert before you enter negotiations with an insurance company.
Special issues often surround cases handled by a motorcycle accident lawyer. The chances of a client suffering from permanent and life-threatening injuries are high and there is a lot at stake when it comes to seeking out compensation. Unlike worrying about vehicle repairs or whiplash, clients are often struggling for their lives, spending extensive time in the hospital, and undergoing multiple surgeries. Aside from compensation to deal with current issues and medical bills, there are often long-lasting issues that a person may have to address for the rest of his or her life.
Loss of Limbs
For most people, it is hard to imagine a life without a limb. It is tough to picture how he or she would make it through the day. Aside from losing employment or not being able to drive, victims struggle with learning to do even the simplest of tasks in a new way to accommodate their injuries. A motorcycle accident lawyer works hard to assess the situation and add up all of the medical bills and the cost of treatment to come up with a fair compensation amount. Once that is complete, the attorney needs to determine how much money a person deserves now that they have been permanently damaged from the situation. It is not easy to put a price on a limb, but the goal is to make life better for the victim.
Paraplegia or Quadriplegia
Losing a limb is tough, but there are ways to try and make changes to accommodate the situation. With paraplegia (paralysis of the legs and lower body) and quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs of the body), it requires major changes to a person's lifestyle. He or she will need to completely rearrange everything to make life in general more accessible. This requires extensive medical treatment for the rest of the person's life and special equipment to aid mobility. A motorcycle accident lawyer fights to make sure that a person is financially taken care of, despite all of the impending costs associated with the injuries. In addition, the attorney works to come up with an estimate for the cost of the quality of life that is now affected by the incident.
Loss of a Loved One
It is much too common to see the result of a bike accident end up in the rider's death. Even with all of the safety precautions taken, there is no way to predict what other drivers will do. When this happens, a family can turn to a motorcycle lawyer for help pursuing a case. There are various factors that must be taken into consideration, including the medical and funeral costs, the emotional toll the situation has taken on the family, and the loss of potential income that may have supported the family for the next several decades. All of these expenses add up and are used to come up with a proposed settlement.