If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you’re entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other damages. Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in your case’s outcome cases outcome.
Look for a lawyer with extensive experience handling motorcycle accident claims. Also, consider their reputation and client testimonials. Contact Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Attorney now!
Many accident victims who are hurt in motorcycle crashes need medical treatment to help them recover. They also have to pay for other costs associated with the collision, such as property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These damages are often covered by insurance coverage.
Injuries from a motorcycle crash may be severe and catastrophic, such as broken bones or spinal cord injuries. Less serious injuries include scrapes and bruises, known as road rash. This is the result of friction between a skin and the roadway during a collision.
The ER doctor will evaluate and treat your injuries and then provide a referral for follow-up care from an orthopedist (dealing with bone and joint injuries) or neurologist (head injury). Do not hesitate to see the referred doctors, as this will be critical to a successful claim. In addition to providing medical treatment and a diagnosis, these doctors will give a complete set of records that will clearly document your injuries.
It is vital to follow up on your medical treatment and keep all of your doctor and physical therapy appointments. It will improve your chances of a successful claim and help you heal properly. It will also minimize the likelihood that an insurance adjuster will dispute your injury claims. Delays or gaps in medical care are often used by insurance companies as reasons to deny your claim or undervalue the extent of your injuries.
Your attorney will collect and review all of the evidence in your case, including scene photos, accident reports, medical records, eyewitness testimony and more. They will even visit the crash site to observe skid marks, gouges, mud stains and other physical evidence that can be analyzed to determine how the crash occurred.
Property Damages
While the initial priority after any accident should always be checking for injuries, it is also a good idea to collect as much evidence at the scene as possible. This can include getting the name, contact information, insurance details and license plate numbers of any other drivers involved in the crash. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the scene from multiple angles and to gather statements from potential witnesses.
Beyond the obvious costs of medical care, motorcyclists may be entitled to compensation for property damage as a result of their crash. This can include the cost of replacing or repairing the motorcycle, as well as any accessories such as saddle bags and upgrades that were destroyed. In some cases, it may be possible to claim punitive damages against the at-fault party. These are damages that are not intended to compensate you for your losses, but instead to punish the defendant for particularly dangerous or egregious conduct.
When it comes to proving your case, it is important to have the help of an experienced NYC motorcycle accident lawyer. A skilled attorney will know the ins and outs of your state’s laws regarding negligence claims, as well as how to best present your case in court. This can ensure that you are able to obtain the maximum compensation available for your injuries and losses.
The key to proving your case is establishing that the other driver or company failed to uphold their duty of care and that this breach directly caused your injuries and losses. This is done by demonstrating the following elements:
Lost Wages
When a person is injured in a motorcycle accident, they often face extensive financial harm. They may have medical bills, repair costs for their bike or other property damage, and loss of income due to missed work. Our firm works to ensure that our clients receive maximum compensation for their damages. When a cclient’sinjuries prevent them from working, they are entitled to lost wages compensation as a part of their settlement.
When calculating your lost wages, it is important to consider not only the amount of time you were absent from work, but also your regular income. This includes earnings, bonuses, vacation time, sick days, and other fringe benefits. Our attorneys carefully review the facts and evidence in your case to determine what your actual wage losses were. This number is then multiplied by the number of weeks you were missing from work to arrive at a total lost wages figure.
Your lost wages may also include future lost earning capacity if your injuries are permanent or long-lasting. We can hire a vocational expert or economist to support this claim by calculating what your expected future earnings would have been.
A lawyer can help streamline the legal process by collecting and submitting the required evidence for your claim. This may include pay stubs, previous year personal tax returns, business profit and loss statements, and more. Our team will also negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to recover all of the compensation you are owed. Our goal is to protect your financial well-being so you can focus on healing physically and emotionally from your injuries. Contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.
Pain and Suffering
Many accident victims will experience significant emotional distress as a result of their injuries. This is known as pain and suffering. Unlike other types of damages, which can be documented with receipts and bills, proving your need for compensation related to pain and suffering can be more difficult. That’s why it is crucial to document all physical and mental trauma you experience. This will provide credibility and support for your claim in court, as well as with insurance companies that may be trying to deny or minimize your losses.
A wide range of injury types can occur in motorcycle accidents, ranging from severe burns and scarring to herniated discs and spinal cord damage. Injuries to the neck and back are common, including whiplash, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal fractures. Additionally, motorcyclists can suffer from road rash, which is the result of skin rubbing against abrasive surfaces like pavement and is typically accompanied by severe lacerations.
While some of these injuries are temporary, others can be permanent and life-changing. That’s why it is critical to speak with an experienced attorney who is dedicated to fighting for maximum compensation on behalf of their clients.
A skilled New York motorcycle crash attorney at Fielding Law can help you recover the money you deserve for your injuries, lost income and property damage. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation. We are available 24/7 to assist you. By providing your phone number, you consent to be contacted by text message from a Fielding Law lawyer. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt-out of future messaging by replying STOP. No matter how serious your injury, our New York motorcycle accident attorneys can help.
Subrogation
Your insurance company will usually pay out your claim and then work to recover all or part of the costs from the at-fault party. This process is called subrogation. Typically, this includes your deductible. It is a good thing, as it reduces your financial burden following an accident.
Often, if your insurer is successfully able to recoup the cost of your damages from the at-fault party or their insurance company, it will reimburse you for your deductible. It is a good idea to keep in close communication with your insurance company and not settle with the at-fault party or their insurance provider until you have had a chance to consult with a lawyer.
It is not uncommon for the at-fault property insurance company to fight subrogation claims. This is because the at-fault party’s insurance provider will want to shift liability away from their insured and onto other parties. However, your insurer will advocate for you throughout this process and work to get the maximum value of your claim.
In cases where the at-fault party has a low policy limit or their insurance company refuses to pay out your claim, your insurance may file a lawsuit against them. If the case is successful, the court will enter a judgment against the at-fault party. This can impact their ability to operate a business, own a home, or drive on the road.
A successful outcome to a personal injury claim will be sent directly to your attorney and then into a trust account. Our firm takes a percentage of the award to cover our fees and expenses. Any remaining funds will then be distributed to you. It is important to understand that the amount you receive will not include non-economic damages. This includes physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.