Injured victims of motorcycle accidents may be left with a number of questions. Collisions often result in devastating injuries, which could even leave a person disabled for life. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, please contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in St. Louis at (314) 322-8515 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
- What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident?
- What is a personal injury claim?
- How much is a motorcycle accident claim worth?
- What type of damages will I be entitled to receive?
- What is a statute of limitations?
- Do I need an attorney to file a claim?
- I’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, do I really need a personal injury attorney?
- My medical bills and expenses are overwhelming me and I need money NOW. Is there anything I can do to obtain money quickly until my lawsuit is settled?
- How long will it take to complete my case?
- I was just involved in a motorcycle accident, do I need to contact a personal injury attorney now or can I wait?
Q: What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident?
A: It is important that you immediately begin to take notes and collect information. Get the contact information from the other parties involved and from any witnesses to the crash. If you have been injured in any way at all, it is important that you call the authorities and seek medical attention right away. If you have a camera or a camera phone, take photos of the location, your injuries and the damage to the vehicles. Make sure when speaking about the crash that you remain clear and concise and never admit fault for the collision. If you suffered an injury that requires medical attention, it may be in your best interest to call an experienced injury attorney before speaking with your insurance company.
Q: What is a personal injury claim?
A: A personal injury claim allows injured victims to pursue financial compensation for the damages suffered in a crash. The basic idea of a claim is to help a victim pay for accident-related costs and damages.
Q: How much is a motorcycle accident claim worth?
A: Every case is different and there is no easy way to determine the value of a claim. The amount of money that may be available to motorcycle injury victims depends on the severity of the injuries suffered and the time it will take for the injured victim to recover completely.
Some common areas that a person may receive compensation for after a motorcycle accident include the following:
- Medical bills. The costs of medical care for injuries after a motorcycle accident can be quite high. Severe motorcycle collisions often result in traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, both of which are among the most expensive types of injuries to treat. Any severe injury may require surgery, a hospital stay, and extensive rehabilitation. These medical bills can cause immense struggles for a family that is already trying to deal with helping an injured family member cope and recover after a crash. Unfortunately, medical insurance does not always cover all these costs.
- Transportation and equipment. Medical equipment like wheelchairs and walkers, as well as transportation to and from medical appointments and therapy appointments, is often included as a part of compensation for the medical costs associated with an accident.
- Lost wages. Even a mild traumatic brain injury or other injury can require an injured motorcyclist to take time off work in order to recover as well as to attend doctor’s appointments or rehabilitation appointments. A severe injury may leave a motorcyclist permanently disabled, unable to do any paying work at all.
In situations like these, compensation for a crash may include the wages the injured person would have earned if the injury had not occurred. Since an injury can leave an injured person and a family without the means to support itself, compensation for lost wages is a crucial part of the total compensation package for any motorcycle accident. If a motorcyclist loses his or her life in a wrongful death, the family may be able to obtain compensation for the wages that person would have earned to support them.
- Property damage. Damage to the motorcycle may also be part of compensation after a motorcycle accident. If the bike can be repaired, the costs of repairs and the costs of renting a vehicle in the meantime may be covered by compensation. If the bike was totaled in the crash, the cost of replacing the bike may be included.
- Pain and suffering. In a court case seeking damages after a motorcycle collision, the compensation may include payments for pain and suffering. These include both the physical and the mental pain and anguish caused by an accident. These damages take into consideration both the immediate pain and suffering caused by the accident itself and the long-term suffering that results from severe limitations on life activities due to disabilities or a family’s loss of a loved one.
Q: What type of damages will I be entitled to receive?
A: Financial damages that may be recovered include all medical expenses, lost wages, motorcycle repairs and rehabilitation costs such as physical therapy fees. If you require prosthetics, those costs may also be covered under the damages. Non-financial damages that may be considered in a claim include physical pain and emotional distress.
Q: What is a statute of limitations?
A: The statute of limitations is the amount of time following an accident that someone has to file a claim against the at-fault party. Prompt action, however, is important for a personal injury claim to be successful. The sooner you file, the sooner you may receive the money you need. Also, in auto accident cases, crucial evidence may be lost or misplaced. Witnesses’ memories may become fuzzy with time.
Q: Do I need an attorney to file a claim?
A: Anyone injured in a collision may technically file a claim on his or her own behalf. This legal process, however, is not easy. In many cases the at-fault driver may dispute the charges. Fighting back with a skilled attorney may be crucial to the success of the claim. Our motorcycle accident attorneys have a long history of protecting the rights of injured motorcyclists. If you have more questions regarding your potential claim, please call our law offices to schedule your free consultation.
Q: I’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, do I really need a personal injury attorney?
A: Motorcycle accidents can cause numerous injuries and leave victims with lifelong disabilities and chronic pain. Many of these injuries, such as soft tissue injuries, can take weeks and even months to become apparent. After an accident, you should consult a motorcycle accident attorney to review your legal rights and discuss your legal options.
Q: My medical bills and expenses are overwhelming me and I need money NOW. Is there anything I can do to obtain money quickly until my lawsuit is settled?
A: In some cases, your motorcycle accident attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that your claims are handled quickly and efficiently. If you have been totally disabled from gainful employment, you may be entitled to Social Security benefits as well. Your St. Louis accident lawyer will be able to discuss these options with you to determine if you are able to obtain money quickly for your injuries.
Q: How long will it take to complete my case?
A: Each motorcycle accident case is different and can take months to reach a settlement. If your case needs to go to trial, it can take even longer to navigate through the legal system. Only after a full investigation will your attorney be able to give you a better idea of how long it will take.
Q: I was just involved in a motorcycle accident, do I need to contact a personal injury attorney now or can I wait?
A: After an accident, the last thing you may be thinking about is filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Unfortunately, the sooner you contact a personal injury attorney — the better. After a motorcycle accident, critical evidence can be lost quickly. Your attorney will need to investigate the scene, preserve the remaining motorcycle evidence and discuss your injuries with medical experts.