Whenever you hear about a motorcycle accident, you tend to cringe because you know how serious it can be. Motorcyclists have little to no protection from the other vehicles around them, and they are often unseen as the drivers of cars, trucks, and vans go about their busy lives, driving from one place to the next. Serious accidents involving motorcycles can leave the driver with severe injuries that can also be fatal.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 5,014 motorcyclists died in motorcycle accidents in 2019. Far too many! A motorcycle accident lawyer is an important place to turn after receiving medical attention if you find yourself in an accident.
When a motorcycle is involved in an accident, it is easy for the other cars involved to place the blame on the motorcyclist instead of being accountable for their own actions. This is one of the many reasons it’s vital to hire a motorcycle accident attorney that you can count on to help prove fault and make sure the correct person is made responsible.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Many people automatically suppose that in the event of an accident involving a motorcycle, it is usually the motorcycle driver’s fault. However, the statistics prove this to be an incorrect assumption. Accidents involving motorcyclists typically happen because other drivers are not watching out for them and drive carelessly or are distracted. The most common causes of motorcycle crashes include:
- Drunk driving of impaired driving
- Distracted driving (including texting, dealing with children, etc.)
- Following too closely
- Speeding
- Bad road conditions
- Inexperienced or new drivers
- Illegal passing
- Ignoring traffic laws
After looking at this list, you can see that there are many varying reasons for motorcycle accidents. Each of these actions resulting in an auto collision or motorcycle accident can cause minor injuries and damage. Still, it is easy for many of these crashes to result in far more serious injuries and often death.
No matter the reason for being in an accident, it’s essential to know what to do afterwards to protect yourself. What options do you have? Who is best to talk to in your situation? Should you answer the questions the opposing insurance company is asking you?
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer to assist you with all your questions and concerns is the best move you’ll make. They can help determine fault in your case as well as deal with the legal questions, insurance paperwork, medical bills, and other details like lost wages.
Hiring an Attorney is Expensive, Right?
You might think that hiring an attorney is too expensive and that you will save thousands by handling all the legal details on your own. Many people try to do it all on their own at first, then comes all the confusing paperwork, bills, questioning, and more. Finally, overwhelm and panic set in, and you realize there is no way to handle things without hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer.
Your attorney can help:
- Represent you if your case goes to court
- Properly collaborate with insurance companies to get you the payment you deserve
- Handle communication and interviews with witnesses
- Collect and organize all evidence
- Investigate your motorcycle wreck and the circumstances surrounding it
- Handle all parts of your legal case
It has been proven that those that hire an attorney to represent them in their legal accident claims end up receiving more compensation on average than those who decide to handle everything on their own.
Wormington & Bollinger has experience taking care of their accident victims. They have the knowledge and understanding to navigate the legal journey involving motorcycle accident cases. The peace of mind you will gain from turning things over to Wormington & Bollinger’s team will be astounding, leaving you and your loved ones to heal properly from the accident physically, emotionally, and mentally.
What Kinds of Things Warrant Compensation?
For those who have never had to deal with legal issues, it can be overwhelming and completely new territory. You might not know where to start or what kinds of things you should include in your accident case regarding compensation.
The amount of compensation that you will receive in court or as a settlement will really depend on specific parts and details of your accident as well as how it has affected your life. For example, if the accident was in no part your fault and you were injured, you may receive compensation for things like:
- Property damage (damage done to your motorcycle)
- Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
- Lost wages you have incurred (even loss of earning capacity)
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death (if your loved one passed away from the accident due to carelessness or negligence)
Talking with one of the experienced attorneys at Wormington & Bollinger can give you a more accurate idea of what you can expect, as far as compensation, in your situation. A lawyer can review your case and talk to you about all your options so that you know what to expect as you move forward with your case.
Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer can arguably be the most crucial step you take after your motorcycle accident and medical care. When you have an expert team by your side, you don’t have to stress about the steps to take after an accident.