There is a strong, vibrant, and growing community of motorcyclists in the United States. From 2004 to 2018, the number of registered on-road motorcycles doubled from 2.4 million to 8.3 million, with more riders joining every day.
Motorcyclists face a higher chance of receiving grave injuries in a wreck, and pursuing compensation afterward can be difficult. Because of this risk, it’s important to understand how this type of personal injury case works. It’s also necessary to hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced with this kind of accident if you’ve been in a motorcycle collision yourself.
When it comes down to it, there are four factors that contribute to the complexity of pursuing damages in motorcycle accidents: negative perceptions, proven negligence, the severity of injuries, and the amount of damages.
Unfortunately, motorcyclists face some biased beliefs. It is a common perception that motorcyclists are reckless on the road. It’s easy for people to assume that if there’s an accident involving a motorcycle, it was probably the rider’s fault. Of course, this is an unfair generalization, so it’s important to hire an attorney who knows how to combat this.
Drivers do not always treat motorcycles in the same manner that they treat other vehicles. In some instances, motorists do not realize or acknowledge that motorcyclists have the same rights as all other vehicles on the road. This misconception increases the likelihood of motorcycles getting into accidents.
Insurance companies have their own behavior toward motorcycle accidents. In many cases, these accidents are more severe than car accidents. Insurance companies want to pay out as little as they can on injury claims, so they might show argumentative behavior when working on a motorcycle accident case. They may try different tactics to get away with offering less, including playing into motorcycle bias, so be sure to arm yourself with an attorney who will refuse to settle for an inadequate offer.
In order to file a personal injury claim, you must be able to prove that the accident was the fault of another driver. Proving negligence in motorcycle accidents can be tricky, as motorcycle laws vary from state to state. It’s imperative that cyclists follow the laws of the state they are driving in to protect themselves from liability in an accident. Below is a recap of motorcycle laws in Arizona:
There are acute dangers to operating a motorcycle due to the scarcity of protection offered to the driver. In fact, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in accidents than car passengers. The severity of injuries and the possibility of death often increase the claim amount and complexity of these personal injury cases.
Various elements contribute to the severity of motorcycle accidents, including the speed of travel, the size of other vehicles involved in the crash, and the size of the motorcycle itself. The most common injuries reported are bone fractures in the lower extremities of the body. Traumatic brain injury, whiplash, spinal injuries, lacerations, and broken bones throughout the body are common occurrences as well.
Making a claim to receive compensation in these cases often involves seeking a high amount for damages. Costs add up from the treatment of severe injuries. Both vehicle and medical insurance companies seek to pay out as little as possible, so it’s essential to hire an attorney to make sure that you receive compensation for all of these costs.
Your personal injury attorney should help you seek both economic and general damages. Economic damages include all medical expenses and lost wages or decreased wage expenses. General damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, decreased quality of life, and physical impairment or disfigurement.
In the event that a fatality has occurred, the family of the motorcyclist is entitled to claim additional damages under the Wrongful Death Statutes, which includes costs such as funeral expenses, loss of household and personal services, and emotional distress.
Motorcycle accidents can change your entire life in an instant. However, you do not need to suffer under the burden of the financial costs from an accident that was someone else’s fault. Glazer, Hammond & Smets, PLLC will fight for you to make sure you are compensated for every bill, every injury, and every toll of your accident. With over 30 years of experience and a well-known reputation, attorney Keith Hammond is the smart choice for representation.
Reach out to Glazer, Hammond & Smets, PLLC now to schedule a consultation, and take the first step down the path of healing.
Address 508 N. Humphreys St.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001