How Much is the Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents?

Automobile accidents or auto accidents involve vehicles regardless of size or type of vehicles. The practice of personal injury law is often associated with a truck accident, bus accident, or car accident where larger vehicles are present; however, it can also involve motorcycle accidents, which is the focus of this article. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when compared to occupants of a passenger car, a motorcycle rider is almost 28 times more likely to die in a vehicle accident. Motorcycle accidents can be deadly, leaving a lasting impact on the family members and other loved ones of those involved in an accident. If you lost a loved one due to a motorcycle crash, consult with an experienced Elkhart personal injury lawyer to know if you are entitled to sue for wrongful death damages.

This article will cover:

• What to do after a motorcycle accident
• Legal rights and a personal injury claim
• Knowing how much compensation to expect

What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident

Because vehicle accidents are often associated with car crashes, few are familiar with what must be done after being involved in a motorcycle accident. If you or your companions have been injured in an accident, immediately call 911 and seek medical treatment. Motorcycle accident injuries could involve disfigurement, spinal cord injuries, or even brain injuries in catastrophic incidents. For these bodily injuries, timing is critical. It could be a matter of life and death. 

While waiting for first aid, contact relevant authorities and have a police report created. It is important to remember that the steps taken after an auto accident will play a crucial role in your case when seeking compensation for serious injuries. Experienced Goshen personal injury attorneys can check for any negligence and help you file an injury lawsuit. The best way for motorcycle accident victims to make sure that the at-fault motorist is made accountable for any negligent or reckless driving requires documentation through police reports, photographs, and witnesses. Recovering monetary compensation for medical expenses is not easy, but with an experienced attorney, it often can be done. 

Legal Rights and Filing A Personal Injury Claim

According to personal injury laws, to have a valid wrongful death claim, someone must blame the motorcycle accident death. There should be a negligent party that is not the deceased motorcyclist. In most personal injury cases, this can be another motorist, a company, or a government entity that acted carelessly and caused the accident.

Like any other automobile accident, a motorcycle accident often involves a drunk, reckless, or careless motorist or trucking personnel at the wheel.  It is highly advisable to seek legal help from a motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you work on testimonials from witnesses. (This is why it is important to look around for other motorists or pedestrians, get their names, and ask for their complete contact details). In proving fault for a motorcycle accident lawsuit, pictures and other documentation of the motorcycle, accident injuries, and property damage can be helpful. 

An experienced Goshen personal injury lawyer can provide legal representation and help with paperwork related to your motorcycle accident case. He or she can help show the negligence of the party at fault and how it caused the injuries you are suffering or the resulting death that occurred.  

Knowing How Much Compensation to Expect

Several factors will influence the damages that are available in a wrongful death claim. The type of claim you can file depends largely on your relationship to the motorcyclist who died.

If you are a surviving family member, you may be able to bring a claim for the total value of the victim’s life, which are often represented by the following damages:

• Loss of expected income
• Loss of possible benefits that could have been received if the motorcycle accident did not take place and the victim was not killed
• Loss of inheritance
• Intangible benefits that could be received from the deceased, such as loss of care, loss of nurturing, loss of companionship, or loss of consortium

Personal injury cases involving a distracted, negligent, or drunk driver can have traumatic and devastating effects on those involved. Some claimants commit minor mistakes and end up not getting fully paid for the medical expenses and emotional distress caused by the motorcycle accident. Talk to experienced personal injury attorneys in Goshen who will be able to discuss in detail how damages for personal injury are calculated. 

Getting Reliable Legal Advice

A personal injury case can arise from a variety of situations and virtually anywhere. It could involve defective stairs, a slip and fall injury, or nasty dog bites within your home or neighborhood. Cases may arise from falls at grocery stores, gas stations, sporting events, or shared areas of apartments.  

Keep in mind that it is best to consult with a hands-on accident attorney before negotiating for insurance claims and making statements to your insurance company. Contact our Elkhart personal injury law firm to get in touch with a reliable local attorney who can help you with your injury claims. Our personal injury lawyers at Wilson & Kinsman, LLC are available for legal help and assistance.