Mistakes to Avoid After a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycles are an efficient and exciting mode of transportation. You see riders every day on the city streets and highways of Las Vegas.

Riding a motorcycle can also be dangerous.

Sharing the road with other motorists comes with added risk.

Unlike cars, there is not much protection for the rider from injury if an accident occurs.

Getting into an accident can be confusing.

All accidents will have their own set of circumstances and factors.

There are some common mistakes to avoid after a motorcycle accident occurs.

Don’t Assume You Are Not Injured: When a motorcycle accident happens, it is always recommended to seek medical treatment. The rush of adrenaline can hide an injury until hours later. If you plan on filing a lawsuit, you will need proof of the injury. If the injuries are internal, a medical professional will be able to determine their extent. These types of injuries can be some of the most dangerous. Internal damage to organs and bleeding can be fatal if they are not treated properly. Whiplash, concussions, and other injuries are also hard to detect right away. Your first instinct may be to get back on the bike and go. This is not what to do. Even if you think the injuries are minor.

Failing to Get a Police Report: A police report will be helpful if you plan on filing a claim. If there is damage to the bike and an injury to the person, a report will have valuable information on it. The report will be able to explain how the accident occurred. It can also have witness statements and other things that can be useful. Getting a police report will protect your rights and interests.

Do Not Admit Fault: Accidents can be confusing. Especially motorcycle accidents. You may not have the full picture of what actually happened. Don’t admit fault at the scene of the accident. Even if you think you caused it, you may not have. Admitting guilt or offering an apology to the others involved may come back to you later. Wait until you have a full accounting of the facts of the case.

Not Gathering Evidence: Not getting evidence will make it difficult to file a lawsuit. Get all the evidence that you can at the scene of the accident. Get evidence of driver’s licenses, insurance information, phone numbers, and witness statements of anyone involved. Take pictures and video of the crash site. Take pictures of the property damage. Get pictures that document the injuries as well. Trying to get information later can be difficult. Witnesses can be a big help in building your case. Make sure to get their contact information so you can get a hold of them later.

Not Keeping the Motorcycle: Do not get rid of the motorcycle after an accident. Preserving the evidence of the crash will be a great way to show the extent of the damages.

Talking to Their Insurance Company: Insurance companies have a way of tricking people. They may try to get you to say something that they can use against you. They will also try to give you a low offer to see if you will take it. It is highly recommended that you have an attorney who can fight for you. We understand what they are up to. We know how to deal with them. We will fight to get you the maximum settlement that you deserve. Taking them on by yourself is usually disadvantageous.

Not Calling the Law Offices of Richard Harris: If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you will need an attorney. Handling a motorcycle accident injury case on your own can be daunting. Our legal team of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers is here to help. We have been in Las Vegas since 1980. We are top-rated and experts at motorcycle accident injury lawsuits. We understand how to negotiate a settlement that will get you paid. We have won over $1.5 Billion for our clients. Don’t hesitate. Contact us today for a free consultation.

 Damages from a Motorcycle Accident

Getting injured in a motorcycle accident can be devastating.

All kinds of costs can add up quickly.

In every motorcycle accident, the damages will vary.

The facts of the case and the severity of the injuries will play a role in the claim.

Here are some of the most common damages that we will seek compensation for:

1. Medical Expenses: Any medical costs that were a direct result of the motorcycle accident. This will include all the hospital bills, medications, doctor visits, and surgery costs. Rehabilitation and therapy are also included. If there is any other medical care that extends into the future, we will seek those damages as well.
2. Loss of Wages: Being unable to work after a motorcycle accident is common. Lost wages can be recouped. We will seek all wages that were lost now and in the future. Serious injuries may take weeks or months to recover from. Some injuries can be long-lasting. A person may never be able to go back to work as once before.
3. Pain and Suffering: Motorcycle accidents can be traumatizing. The pain can be both physical and mental. A person may be emotionally distressed. This can lead to depression, anxiety, etc. Mental anguish can be overwhelming and may continue well after the accident.
4. Property Damage: A damaged motorcycle will need repairs. If the damage is enough, the bike will need replacing. This all adds up and can be very costly, depending on the bike. There may be other property that was damaged as a result of the crash. All the property damages will be considered.

Richard Harris will take a look at all the factors and evidence in your case.

If the damages were due to the fault of another, we can file a lawsuit.

We will fight to hold the responsible person or party liable for all the damages left behind.

If you are injured, you will have some healing to do.

While you focus on getting well, we will focus on getting you the maximum compensation for these damages.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

A crash on a motorcycle is one of the most fatal types of accidents there are.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims that motorcycle accidents are five (5) times more deadly than accidents in an enclosed vehicle.

Riders are also over twenty-five (25) times more likely to be injured in an accident.

Some of the most common injuries include the following:

Road Rash: This is the most common of all motorcycle injuries. Scraping the skin across the cement or pavement can do serious damage. Riders can minimize the injury by wearing protective clothing and other apparel. Road rash can be very painful. It can also result in infections and other complications. There is also the potential for permanent scarring.

Head Injuries: Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury can result from a motorcycle injury. This can have a long-lasting effect on the rider. Passengers on the back of the bike are also susceptible to head injuries. Helmets are the best way to protect the head from injury. They are not always effective. Some of the symptoms of head injuries include loss of memory, headaches, and brain damage in severe cases.

Broken Bones: Fractures to the ribs, collarbone, arms, and legs are common in motorcycle accidents. Bikers arm is when the rider holds out their arm to protect themselves and it breaks. Boots can help with foot and ankle breaks some of the time. However, not all the time. The impact on the bones can often result in fractures. The time it takes to heal will depend on the severity of the break. Surgery is often required for these types of injuries.

Internal Injuries: These may be hard to tell at the time of the injury. Organs like the heart, kidneys, and liver may be injured and go unnoticed. It is hard to see if there is bleeding or other issues inside the body at the time. This is why it is important to always seek medical attention after a motorcycle accident. If this type of injury is not properly treated, it can be fatal.

Amputations: This can happen in severe motorcycle accidents. A limb injury can cause such serious damage that an amputation is necessary. This will be life-changing. An injury where the limb is crushed will shock the system. There may be major blood loss from this type of injury. There can also be infections later.

Spinal Injuries: This type of injury can result in long-term care. If the injury is serious, the person can lose feeling and mobility in their limbs and other extremities. Rehabilitation can be ongoing when the back and spinal areas are damaged.

The Law Offices of Richard Harris are here to answer any questions you may have.

We specialize in all types of personal injury accidents.

This includes motorcycle accidents.

These can be some of the most damaging.

If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, call us today!