When you get behind the wheel of a car, you have some piece of mind that the car has been designed and engineered in a way that provides you with an added layer protection. In fact, a number of consumers intentionally choose vehicles that come with a higher safety rating in the event they are in an accident. For motorcycle enthusiasts, this is not always a viable option, primarily because a motorcycle cannot encapsulate you in the way that a motor vehicle can. As a result, a collision while riding on a motorcycle has a far higher probability of producing severe injuries that can sometimes be fatal. Motorcycle accident attorneys are all too aware of common injuries motorcyclists may be faced with when they hop on their bikes to go for a ride.
Common Motorcycle Injuries
Motorcyclists are nearly unprotected when they are riding. Unfortunately, the risk of this activity can produce significant damages. In fact, collisions involving motorcycles have a far higher likelihood of fatalities and more significant injuries. Examples of common motorcycle injuries include:
- Road Rash
- Fractures
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Suffering such injuries can leave accident victims feeling helpless. An attorney can provide the support and experience that you may be in need of when considering the appropriate legal steps to take towards compensation for your accident.
Protecting Yourself on the Road
Before riding a motorcycle, it’s important to take the time to learn the proper way to protect yourself when participating in this activity. Although you cannot control the actions of others on the road, there are a number of steps you can take to mitigate the occurrence of an accident, including:
- Always wearing a helmet
- Ride Defensively
- Do not drink and ride
- Take motorcycle safety and education courses
- Ensure that your bike is mechanically sound
- Wear protective clothing
- Do not ride on unsafe roads
- Avoid riding your bike in inclement weather
Although taking precautions can help mitigate your chances of an accident, sometimes a collision can literally come from out of nowhere. When this occurs, a motorcycle enthusiast may be faced with seriously grave circumstances.
Taking Action
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident and believe the other party should be held responsible, you will want to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. You have a number of options that lie before you depending on your specific situation. An attorney can review the details of your case and help determine the best way for you to move forward. In some cases, an attorney may even work on a contingency fee basis. This means they will not collect their legal fees until they have obtained compensation for your damages. This can be an attractive option for a victim whose financial resources have been depleted from their accident. There are a number of benefits to this. An attorney will be motivated to resolve your case and maximize your settlement offer because they will not get paid until you do. In addition, they are likely to only take cases they believe have a chance at success.
Suffering a motorcycle accident can take an incredible toll on a person. Not only are you likely to have a significant recovery period ahead of you, facing settlement negotiations and/or possible litigation can be stressful and daunting. An auto accident lawyer can support and partner with their clients, taking the lead throughout the entire legal process so that accident victims are able to focus on their recovery.
