If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, what you do next could impact your life for years. Many involved in motorcycle collisions suffer serious injuries requiring medical attention and significant recovery periods.
If you cannot work due to your injury, getting the compensation you need can alleviate the stress of mounting medical bills and help cover your regular expenses. Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident can protect your rights and secure your financial future. If you want the best advice possible regarding your motorcycle accident contact a Colorado motorcycle accident attorney today.
What You Should do After a Motorcycle Accident
It’s common for your adrenaline to surge in the moments after a collision. As a result, most victims might not remember what to do. Carrying out as many of the following steps as possible can help strengthen your case and assist your Colorado motorcycle accident attorney.
Move to Safety
If you can, move yourself and your motorcycle to safety to avoid further damage or injury. Secondary accidents often occur in the moments following a collision when vehicles cannot get out of harm’s way.
Call 911
If you are able, call 911 to report the accident and request medical attention. Reporting emergency personnel can assess the physical condition of those involved in the accident. Additionally, the reporting police officer creates an accident report which provides information about the accident that your attorney can use to get you the compensation you need.
Exchange Information
If possible, exchange information with the other parties involved in the accident. Information includes their name, contact information, and insurance details. This information may be required to file a claim with your insurance company.
Gather Evidence
If you can, document the scene of the accident. Valuable evidence to gather includes the names and contact information of any witnesses. Take photographs of all vehicles involved in the accident and the surrounding area. Then, you will want to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer.
When Do You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
When do you need a motorcycle accident lawyer? Contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney assists you in many ways, including speaking to the insurance companies on your behalf. Insurance adjusters have one main goal: to help save their company money. They often do this by making you a quick, lowball offer.
It may be difficult to refuse an initial offer of money when you need financial relief. However, these early settlement offers typically only cover a small part of your losses. And once you cash the check, you cannot go back for more—regardless of how much more money your accident costs you. An attorney ensures you receive the best potential payout for your case.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer also ensures you never miss vital deadlines. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases like motorcycle accidents is three years from the date of the collision.
While this may seem like plenty of time, your attorney must conduct a substantial investigation, enter into negotiations with the insurance company, and if that fails, they might have to prepare your case and take it to trial.
All of this takes time. Failure to settle the claim or file your lawsuit if a settlement cannot be reached within this three-year period bars you from getting any compensation from the party that caused you harm.
What Is the Average Payout for a Motorcycle Accident?
What is the average payout for a motorcycle accident? Those suffering injuries in a collision may be curious about the average payout for a motorcycle accident. But each case presents its own unique facts that greatly impact the payout, thereby making any “average” irrelevant to your specific case. Also, many settlements go unreported, so it’s nearly impossible to arrive at a true “average” amount.
Your attorney will analyze the common factors affecting motorcycle accident payouts, including, but not limited to, the following:
- The severity of your injuries,
- Current and future medical costs,
- Identity of the at-fault party or parties,
- Insurance coverage limits,
- The amount of lost wages,
- Whether or not you will be able to return to work and any loss of earning potential, and
- The extent of pain and suffering.
Understanding how these factors may help or hurt your case, effectively negotiating with the insurance adjuster, and proving your case requires the assistance of an experienced attorney.
Does No-Fault Cover Motorcycle Accidents?
Colorado is an at-fault state, but does no-fault cover motorcycle accidents? In Colorado the law permits injured victims to file a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company, regardless of the extent of their injuries. However, you might discover that the insurance limits fail to cover the extent of your injuries. Your attorney will be able to uncover and pursue all possible means of compensation if the liable driver’s insurance limits don’t cover your costs.
For instance, perhaps the driver was working when they hit you, and you have a potential suit against the employer. Your attorney can help you find a way to get the money you need by suing third parties or by possibly using your own insurance to cover any deficits in the negligent driver’s insurance limits.
How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Take?
A common question is, “how long does a motorcycle accident lawsuit take?” A motorcycle accident lawsuit can take anywhere from a few months to years to resolve. When the facts are strongly in your favor, insurance companies may be more inclined to extend a favorable settlement to avoid the expense of trial.
However, if parties are in dispute or the facts are more complex, a trial may be necessary. A trial will significantly extend the length of time required to resolve your lawsuit. Luckily, most claims settle out of court.
What Is the Most Common Motorcycle Accident?
What is the most common motorcycle accident? Motorcyclists understand that a bike offers little protection from a collision. While injuries vary from case to case, the most common injuries after a motorcycle accident include the following:
- Skull fractures,
- Bone fractures,
- Neck and back injuries,
- Severe road rash,
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Paralysis,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Broken bones, and
- Disfigurement.
The most severe injuries in a motorcycle accident often involve those affecting the brain and spinal cord. A negligent driver can do substantial harm even when the motorcyclist wears protective gear, including a helmet. Most motorcycle injuries require extensive recovery periods during which you cannot work. You must speak to a personal injury attorney to obtain the financial compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Contact a Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
At Tenge Law Firm, LLC, we understand that clients call us when they face a challenging time. Our goal is to achieve the best possible result for our clients as quickly as possible. Each case and client is different, so our team works directly with clients to meet their needs.
At Tenge Law Firm, LLC, we’ve enjoyed many honors for our professionalism, legal experience, and client care. With so many personal injury law firms to choose from, it can be complicated to know what separates one from another. Contact us today to learn how we can make a difference for you.
Our Colorado motorcycle accident lawyers look forward to hearing from you!