Motorists are protected by seat belts, airbags, and the actual structure of their vehicles, but motorcyclists do not have these protections. As a result, motorcyclists are often seriously injured in accidents, suffering from head injuries, fractured bones, crushed limbs, and even spinal cord damage. These injuries can be devastating and lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, and severe emotional pain and suffering.

Fortunately, motorcycle crash victims who have been injured due to another person’s negligence have the right to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation in the USA. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident and negligence was to blame, contact us right now to discuss your case in greater detail. Call (415) 722-7877 or send an email to russ@goodrowlaw.com to schedule a free case evaluation.

Motorcycle wrecks can occur under a number of different circumstances. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle wrecks include a driver who is turning left and fails to see a motorcyclist next to them, lane-splitting, reckless driving, distracted driving, road hazards, and intoxicated driving.

Your first priority following a motorcycle wreck should be calling 9-1-1 to report the crash and request emergency medical assistance if it is needed. If you do not need to be treated at the scene of the wreck, it’s recommended that you document evidence while you are there. Take pictures of damage on your vehicle, visible injuries, and debris that may be strewn about in the road. You should also ask any witnesses that may be standing by for their contact information so you can get in touch with them later on. Do not discuss the accident with anyone at the scene except the responding police officer. Be sure to get a copy of the police report.

It’s absolutely imperative that you seek medical attention as soon as possible after the crash, even if you do not think your injuries are severe. Minor injuries may develop into something more serious, and you will need documentation that proves the injuries occurred in the crash if you want to file a personal injury claim. Keep all of your medical documentation that has information on treatment prices or your condition so you have proof of the injuries and the expenses you have incurred. If the doctor asks you to return for a follow-up visit, make an appointment with a specialist, or take certain medications, do as you are told. If you fail to follow the doctor’s instructions, the insurance company may hold this against you and say you are not as injured as you are claiming.

Get in touch with an attorney as soon as you can after the accident if you have been injured. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company tries to contact you to take a statement or offer you a settlement, do not speak with them until you have consulted with an attorney.

It’s difficult to determine how much your case is worth without knowing the exact details of your injuries. Motorcycle wreck victims may be able to recover economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Economic damages are given to victims who have incurred medical expenses or suffered lost wages as a result of their injuries. These damages should also cover expenses that you expect to incur in the future and lost wages that you expect to suffer in the future. Non-economic damages are awarded to victims who have suffered emotional pain after the accident. Punitive damages are only awarded when it is determined that the defendant acted with extreme negligence.

The exact amount of compensation you receive will depend on the injuries you have suffered, time you have taken off of work, and impact your injuries have had on your life.

It’s strongly advised that you hire an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. The attorney that you work with will want to gather evidence from the scene of the accident if possible, and interview witnesses while they are still able to remember the events that happened. These are just a few of the reasons why you should get in touch with an attorney immediately after the accident has occurred.

Many people wonder why they cannot handle a personal injury claim without an attorney. An attorney is an invaluable resource that can help you prove liability, gather evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company so you can recover the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies will attempt to get you to settle for as little as possible. In fact, they may purposely try to contact you before you have legal representation so they can talk to you before you have received advice from an attorney. It’s very easy to fall for their tricks, but very important that you work with an attorney so you don’t make this mistake. Motorcycle wrecks can be complex, so it’s impossible for someone with no legal background to handle this type of case on their own.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle wreck caused by negligence, there’s no time to waste when it comes to seeking legal representation from a San Francisco Bay Area or Santa Barbara personal injury attorney. Even if the accident just occurred yesterday, you should begin contacting attorneys today. Our motorcycle crash attorney can review your case and provide you with legal advice. We represent clients in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout the greater Santa Barbara County area. We have a number of different practice areas, including car wrecks, truck crashes, wrongful death and medical malpractice. Please contact us today by calling (415) 722-7877 or sending an email to russ@goodrowlaw.com.

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