Accidents involving a motorcycle often result in injuries or even death. An accident may involve only the motorcycle, or it may be a motorcycle-automobile collision. In the event injuries or death occur, you or your family will want to claim compensation for medical and rehabilitation expenses, loss of income, and the emotional distress experienced.
Injury or Wrongful Death Claims
A large number of motorcycle accidents involve automobiles due to drivers not seeing the motorcycles in their mirrors or failing to yield the right of away. You have a legal right to pursue compensation for all accident related expenses when a driver is negligent or fails to follow the law concerning giving motorcycles the right of way.
When the accident is the fault of the automobile driver, a motorcycle accident claim for injury is filed by the victim with the driver’s insurance company. If the motorcycle rider dies as a result of the accident and the automobile driver was negligent, a wrongful death claim can be filed by the family or the victim’s estate.
What the Claim Can Include
Motorcycle accident injuries can be severe and include head injuries; neck and spinal cord injuries; extensive wounds due to hitting obstacles like pavement or a tree; and broken bones. In some cases, permanent disability results.
The injury or wrongful death claim will request compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Short term nursing home or home health care expenses
- Long term care
- Loss of income
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses
It is important that you not agree to a settlement with the insurance company until a full investigation of the accident scene is completed and the full extent of injuries and necessary recovery time is known. The full extent of injuries and rehabilitation requirements usually cannot be immediately determined. If you settle too early then you might not get the full amount of injury compensation due you.
It’s Important to Consult an Attorney
When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important to contact an attorney with experience in these types of accidents. This is true whether or not an automobile was involved. An attorney will insure that a full investigation of the accident circumstances is conducted. The attorney will also represent your interests with the responsible insurance company and mediators, and in court if necessary.
