Motorcycle Accidents in Indiana

We all know that riding motorcycles is dangerous, but how dangerous is it exactly? Well, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it turns out that in 2018, 6% of all motorcycle accidents in the country resulted in death. This meant that motorcyclists were 29 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than someone in a car.

To bring this closer to home, according to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, motorcycles only account for less than 2% of all the motor vehicle crashes in Indiana, but account for 13% of the state’s traffic deaths. This means that motorcyclists are put in a disproportionate amount of danger on the road.

As such, if you regularly ride motorcycles, it is best if you familiarize yourself with the injuries that may arise as well as what you should do when you do get involved in an accident.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to contact an accident attorney at Wilson & Kinsman, LLC, an Elkhart, Indiana personal injury law firm. Our lawyers are knowledgeable of personal injury law and have served as legal representation in numerous personal injury cases.

Types of Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Minor Injuries

Minor injuries result from accidental falls and slips. These usually only result in bruises, abrasions, strains, and lacerations. In more serious cases, fractures may occur which are exhibited by bruising, difficulty or complete inability to move the affected area, pain, and swelling.

Minor injuries usually do not need medical attention and may be treated with first aid kits and simple home remedies. However, if you believe you have fractured a bone or have debris in your wounds, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Head Injuries

Head injuries are more common than people think and can cause concussions, brain damage, and permanent disability.

If you were in a motorcycle accident and have hit your head, you must immediately seek medical attention even if you feel fine. The head is a very fragile body part and disregarding injuries may be the start of serious debilitation. It is also for this reason that motorists must always wear helmets when riding.

Traumatic Injuries

Traumatic injuries represent the worst injuries that a motorist can get into. These include severe concussions, cranial hemorrhaging, skull fractures, rib fractures, splenic ruptures, pancreatic trauma, and bowel contusions, among others.

When involved in an accident be sure to check yourself first- try to take in deep breaths and palpate your chest and abdomen. Your torso contains some of your most vital organs and you should check if there was any severe trauma or sore spots. Do also check your head, spine, and neck for any injuries. Apply pressure to any bleeds and support any parts that may have been more seriously affected by the accident.

If you find that you don’t have any noticeable injuries, you might be safe- for now. Severe debilitating injuries don’t often show up right after the accident- some take weeks before exhibiting life-changing effects. So you should seek medical attention as soon as possible after an injury, no matter how mild it may seem.

What to Do in a Motorcycle Accident

As we can see in the numbers, riding motorcycles is inherently dangerous mainly because it offers less protection than cars and is often harder to see on the road. This is why you should read up on what to do in a motorcycle accident so that you’ll know what to do when you do get involved in one. So be sure to keep in mind the following when involved in a motorcycle accident:

• Call 911 right away,
• Keep your helmet on in case you have neck or spinal injuries,
• Move your motorcycle out of the way of traffic if it is safe to do so without risking further injury,
• Take photos of the other vehicles involved in the accidents,
• Take photos of the scene of the incident, especially the surrounding hazards such as potholes, debris, poor road conditions, and traffic signs,
• Do not admit fault to anyone- this is your right,
• Talk to eyewitnesses and get their contact details,
• Inform your insurance provider of the incident immediately,
• Do not refuse medical treatment even if you feel fine because you might have suffered more serious injuries even if you are not aware,
• Do not give any unnecessary details or information to any police or medical personnel without talking to a personal injury lawyer first,
• Contact an Elkhart, Indiana personal lawyer at Wilson & Kinsan, LLC.

Why Should You Contact an Indiana Motorcycle Injury Attorney Right Away

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Indiana, you should talk to an Indiana-based lawyer right away for a couple of reasons.

Knowledge of Local Laws

While the U.S. federal law encompasses the nation as a whole, state laws may make legal processes and procedures slightly different per state. Our local personal injury attorneys know these intricacies better and will be able to advise you on how to approach your case in the best way possible.

Preserving Evidence

Relevant evidence is what makes or breaks a case. An experienced accident lawyer will know how to best gather evidence and identify which evidence will be best to use in court. He will know how to go about acquiring CCTV footage as well as key witness’ statements and other pertinent forms of evidence.

Avoiding Mistakes

When involved in an accident, it is not just you who will be working. The other motorists involved and your insurance provider will work hard to downplay your cost claims in an effort to not have to give you any compensation.

Our accident injury lawyers at Wilson & Kinsan, LLC, have experienced firsthand how some people will try to get accident victims to make a mistake and jump on these opportunities. Our personal injury lawyers will make sure your rights are protected, and you get paid for the injuries that were caused to you.

Negotiating with the Insurance Company

Insurance companies will want to pay you with as little compensation as they can get away with. In contrast, an experienced personal injury attorney will paint you a better picture of the total cost of an accident you were involved in.

Physical damages such as injuries and property damage are more easily seen and more easily quantifiable in an accident, but there are actually more things you could be compensated for including medical expenses, lost wages, lost opportunities, pain and suffering, emotional damage, and so on.

Our personal injury lawyers will be more truthful about you with this and will negotiate with your insurance provider to get you compensated fairly, so talk to one of our personal injury lawyers today.

Not Missing Deadlines

One of the most important things to take note of when filing cases is the deadlines. While initially, you have the right to press charges, this right does not last forever because of the statute of limitations which essentially puts a deadline to your right to file a case up to two years after the incident.

When you are involved in an auto accident, you have many things to deal with, including managing medical bills, working around your injuries to get to work, getting repairs, and most important of all, recovering. When you have so much on your plate, pressing charges or remembering deadlines are so much harder to do.

Wilson & Kinsman, LLC, is here to help you!

If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident and need legal help with filing a personal injury claim, talk to an auto accident attorney at Wilson & Kinsman, LLC, an Indiana personal injury firm. Our lawyers will help you understand the legal process of filing a personal injury lawsuit as well as negotiate an insurance claim to help you recover from your accident.