Yes, you should hire a motorcycle accident lawyer for an accident, no matter how minor. You may think your injuries are not serious, or you may think you are not injured at all. But in many cases, it can take days or weeks for certain injuries to manifest. If they do, it will soon become apparent that your accident may require more time and money to recover from, leading to medical bills and other costs that could bring financial strain.
After a motorcycle accident, your adrenaline and endorphins kick in, both of which can block pain. This is why it is critical to seek medical attention following your motorcycle accident. You will want to be checked by a doctor to make sure you did not receive any serious injuries, and if you did, you want to document your medical treatment and expenses following the accident. This evidence will be important if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash.
Common Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident
Operating a motorcycle is far different from driving a four-wheel vehicle. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than occupants of cars, trucks, or SUVs, simply because there is very little protection between them and the road. The fact is motorcycle riders face more serious injuries and fatalities than motor vehicle drivers.
Common injuries that can result from a motorcycle accident include but are not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injury (that can lead to paralysis)
- Internal bleeding
- Neck and back sprains
- Fractures and broken bones
- Burns
- Road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries damage the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, but they may not present with symptoms for hours, days, or even weeks. Because these injuries may not be apparent at first, it may be challenging to diagnose them later.
This is why seeking medical attention immediately or soon after your motorcycle accident is so important. A doctor can identify the injury and document the treatment, which is critical evidence if you plan to seek compensation for your injuries and losses in your motorcycle accident, no matter how minor it may appear to be.
Damages You Might Recover
If you are considering hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer for a minor accident, keep in mind that what seems like a minor accident claim could turn into something much bigger.
Even if you believe you have only minor injuries and some property damage in the accident, that could change in the near future. Injuries may become chronic and cause you to miss work, which could lead to mental and emotional distress. You may require physical therapy or counseling for the pain and suffering you are experiencing after your accident.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can pursue compensation for the damages you suffered due to another driver’s negligence. These can be in the form of economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages you may be entitled to include:
- Medical expenses – These include hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, assistive devices, such as crutches or wheelchairs, and prescription medications.
- Lost wages – You may have lost income because you missed work because of your injuries.
- Reduced earning capacity – This happens when you must take a job making less money due to your accident injuries.
It might be more difficult to put a price tag on noneconomic damages, but an attorney can help you calculate a value for them. Most motorcycle accident lawyers use the multiplier method to assign a value to them. Usually, they add all the hard numbers – the quantifiable damages that you incurred – and multiply that figure with a number ranging from 1.5 to 5, with 3 being the most common. These types of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
- Depression
- Insomnia
If you are considering hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer, it might be better to do so sooner rather than later. Your memory of exactly what happened will be fresh in your mind soon after the crash, and you might be able to record eyewitness accounts. Plus, it is helpful if the attorney can collect any evidence that supports your claim right after the accident before it has a chance to disappear.
Statute of Limitations Deadline
Another reason to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer for a minor accident is you do not want time to run out if you decide to file a claim or a lawsuit. Each state has its own time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit. An attorney will be familiar with your state’s statute of limitations and file all proper paperwork before the clock runs out on your chance to seek compensation.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Today
At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we can collect evidence to build a strong case, negotiate with the insurance companies, and protect your legal rights. Call 800-959-1444 to speak with a member of our team today. The initial consultation is free for all motorcycle accident victims, and you do not pay us any upfront fees unless we secure a settlement on your behalf.
