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Pursuing Justice After a Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle accident is always serious, but contacting our Salt Lake City, UT motorcycle accident lawyer can help. Accidents are a risk that you’ll take whenever you ride, and the prospect of a bad spill always keeps riders on their toes. Motorcyclists need to be extra attentive, especially as cars become more and more modernized and drivers become more and more distracted. Cars and motorcycles are completely different: A car provides a safety net in the event of accidents, and also numerous distractions that might lure drivers into a false sense of competence and security on the road. On a bike, the only thing keeping you from a major injury is your ability as a rider. Cars are becoming more and more loaded down with innovative safety features, but driver error is only becoming more and more of a hazard to motorcyclists. You might be the most attentive rider on the road, but that doesn’t account for everyone else.
If you have been the victim of a motorcycle accident, we are here to help you. Contact Rasmussen & Miner today to schedule a consultation.
Table of Contents
- Pursuing Justice After a Motorcycle Accident
- How Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
- Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
- Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Infographic
- Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident FAQs
- Rasmussen & Miner, Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Contact Our Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
The Severity of a Motorcycle Accident
Unfortunately, motorcyclists need to share the road with cars. If you ride a motorcycle, you understand that there’s never a guarantee that the other drivers on the road are as attentive as you are: There’s always the risk of someone texting and driving, drinking and driving, or engaged in one of the countless other distractions that can occur behind the wheel. You may be familiar with the old cliche: “Your safety isn’t about you, it’s about the other drivers,” but until you’ve been in an accident, you might not fully know what’s at risk. In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, the differences become even more transparent. Someone in a car might escape with minor bruises and whiplash, but a motorcyclist involved in an accident may be at immediate risk of permanent injury or death.
People weren’t designed to withstand sudden impacts and spills off of vehicles traveling at the speed of traffic, and your hospital bill shows it. You may have (barely) survived your motorcycle accident, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods yet. Chances are, you’ll be strapped with jaw-dropping medical bills and a long recovery process – if a full recovery is even possible. Between hospital stays, medical procedures, and physical therapy, you probably won’t be able to return to work and collect any paychecks either.
Recovering After a Motorcycle Accident
When you are recovering after an accident, you may be aware that you will not fully recover. This is not only damaging to you physically but can be emotionally scarring as well. You may also begin to see your medical bills piling up and wonder how you will be able to pay them, especially if you are unable to return to work. Instead of carrying all of these concerns on your shoulders, you should be focused on getting the medical attention you need. When all of this seems to hit you at once, our team can help you by beginning the motorcycle injury claim process. We can try to get you compensation for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Future accommodations for a disability
- Inability to earn wages
When it feels like your whole life has turned upside down, know that you can rely on our team. If you have been in a motorcycle accident and would like to speak with someone from Rasmussen & Miner, call us to talk with our Salt Lake City, Utah motorcycle accident lawyer today.
How Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
There is no doubt that the act of riding a motorcycle is associated with certain risks. But simply because bikers assume a relative degree of risk when they hop on their motorcycles doesn’t mean that they can’t hold others responsible if they are harmed while riding. Working with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer from Rasmussen & Miner will allow you to clarify your legal situation and evaluate your options in the wake of a crash. You may understandably be wondering what the benefit of working with a motorcycle accident lawyer is, especially if the insurance provider of the individual who harmed you has already offered you a settlement. There are many reasons why it is important to seek the guidance of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer before making any assumptions about your case and/or accepting an insurance settlement offer. Some of the most pressing reasons to seek counsel include:
Determining Fault
Motorcyclists frequently get a bad rap. People accuse them of being reckless, speeding, frequent lane changes to navigate around traffic, and more. Consequently, bystanders and authorities may immediately place the blame on the motorcyclist if an accident happens. However, motorcycle accident lawyers don’t rely on such assumptions. Seasoned lawyers can gather evidence and conduct an independent investigation aimed at uncovering the truth. You may be surprised by what your knowledgeable and experienced motorcycle attorney discovers. Many factors, such as distracted driving, speeding cars, traffic offenses, improper use of turn signals, defective parts, and more, can contribute to motorcycle accidents. Depending on the existing evidence, a lawyer may be better able to identify who is responsible for your accident.
Filing a Lawsuit
A motorcycle crash can be devastating and debilitating, leaving riders with critical and even life-altering injuries. These injuries place a burden on bikers and their families who must pay medical expenses while shouldering the burden of lost wages and income. A motorcycle accident attorney can help bikers and their families manage this challenge. By filing a lawsuit against the liable parties, your lawyer may be able to help motorcycle accident victims recover monetary damage awards to cover any physical, mental, and financial challenges. Reviewing accident reports, handling court filings, and building a strategic case is just the beginning of a motorcycle lawyer’s job.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Although you, as a motorcycle rider, and the other driver involved in an accident, may both have insurance policies, getting those companies to compensate you fairly could be challenging. Insurance companies are businesses that are concerned for their bottom lines, which are threatened if payouts are too large. They may go to great lengths to settle quickly and cheaply. Some insurance providers may even try to avoid paying. Having a seasoned motorcycle attorney on your side can strengthen your position at the negotiating table. Our team has experience dealing with insurance companies and can work to get you a fair settlement. If push comes to shove, you can be confident that your lawyer knows how to properly file a lawsuit and go to trial.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcyclists don’t have the protection of a vehicle, so they are more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident. Here are the most common motorcycle accident injuries.
- Road Rash
When motorcyclists slide across the pavement during an accident, they may suffer road rash. The injury can cause multiple layers of skin to peel away and expose muscle. Road rash is very painful and can lead to infection, nerve damage and permanent scars.
- Head Injuries
Head injuries are one of the most severe injuries motorcyclists can suffer in accidents. Symptoms of these injuries may include confusion, dizziness, vision problems, headaches and vomiting. Motorcyclists who suffer head injuries may require long-term rehabilitation. They can reduce the severity of head injuries by always wearing a helmet.
- Biker’s Arm
When motorcyclists get thrown off their bike in an accident, they may put their arms around their body to lessen the impact. Unfortunately, this can cause damage to the bones and nerves in the arms and hands.
- Spinal Cord Injuries
In an accident, motorcyclists are also at risk of suffering spinal cord injuries. These injuries may include disc herniation, muscle atrophy and disc bulges. As a motorcycle accident lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT can attest, these injuries sometimes result in permanent paralysis.
- Organ Damage
When motorcyclists hit the ground after an accident, their internal organs, such as the liver, kidneys and lungs, can suffer severe damage.
- Burns
If motorcyclists come into direct contact with their own bike during an accident, they may suffer burns from the engine. Burns can lead to infection and permanent scarring.
Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Infographic
Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle riders are almost 30 times more likely to lose their lives in a fatal crash compared with other motorists on the road. They are also four times as likely to sustain an injury in an accident. Many of these injuries are catastrophic and end up leaving the victims with long-term or permanent disabilities. Victims face high medical bills, lost wages, loss of future income, pain and suffering, and more.
If you have been injured in a crash, contact our office to speak with a Salt Lake City motorcycle accident lawyer for legal assistance and to get the compensation you deserve.
Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident FAQs
It’s normal to have questions about your motorcycle accident case. At Rasmussen & Miner: Personal Injury Attorney, we always encourage our clients to ask all the questions they want. Doing that helps you make better decisions.
Should I Call the Police After a Motorcycle Accident?
Despite what the other driver may be telling you, you should always contact the police after a motorcycle crash. It’s the right thing for you and your case. Don’t let anybody talk you out of waiting for the police to arrive. When a motorcycle accident lawyer in Salt Lake City UT is putting together your lawsuit, having a police report of the accident is crucial for proving what happened. It can be the difference between winning and losing. Having a police report to back you up can even put pressure on insurance companies to give you a higher settlement.
Should I Go to the Hospital Even If You Feel Okay?
It’s a smart idea to see a doctor after any motorcycle accident. Even though it may seem that you only have a few scratches and bruises, there could be serious internal bleeding or head injuries. Your motorcycle accident lawyer in Salt Lake City UT will want to see those medical records to use as evidence in your case.
Should I Contact My Insurance Company After the Crash?
You need to call your insurance company to report the accident so you receive coverage. That said, be very careful what you say to the adjuster. Keep in mind that your insurer isn’t on your side for accident lawsuits — it’s primarily looking to protect itself. Don’t admit to causing the crash or say anything that sounds like an admission of guilt. Keep your comments short. Call a motorcycle accident lawyer in Salt Lake City UT right away. If the insurer pushes you for more information, perhaps asking questions such as “Who do you think was responsible?” just mention that your lawyer will be in touch to answer any further questions. At Rasmussen & Miner: Personal Injury Attorney, we can represent you in all negotiations with your insurer and the other driver’s insurance company.
Should I Agree to a Settlement Instead of Going to Court?
There’s nothing wrong with settlements per se — they can save you money on court costs — but you shouldn’t agree to them yourself. Don’t accept any offers until your motorcycle accident lawyer in Salt Lake City UT has had a chance to review the terms. Otherwise, you can get tricked by hidden terms.
What Initial Steps Should I Take After an Accident?
The steps following a motorcycle accident are critical to ensuring safety, receiving treatment, and safeguarding a possible claim. However, in some cases, injuries may be so severe that the victim cannot do anything at the scene, thus becoming reliant upon bystanders, emergency services, and law enforcement. There will be immediate and long-term steps that need to be taken. Following the accident, it’s imperative to seek medical care to rule out any underlying medical conditions and ensure treatment is received for any injuries. In addition to this being important for a person’s health and well-being, it’s also essential in proving the injuries were a result of the accident. Once treatment is received, the victim should write down their account of what happened and gather as much evidence as possible. Once the recovery process has started, victims should contact a motorcycle accident lawyer in Salt Lake City UT to receive guidance on moving forward with a legal claim.
Is Utah a No-Fault State? What Is PIP?
Yes- Utah is a no-fault state meaning that injured drivers must first access their car insurance for damages such as medical expenses and property loss up to the coverage limits. In Utah, this means that drivers must have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to cover costs. However, this doesn’t mean that an injured driver can’t file a third-party claim against the negligent party. Each state has certain thresholds of losses that must be met before this can happen. In Utah, drivers must have at least $3,000 of no-fault protection. If losses exceed $3,000 and the victim has been severely injured or disabled, it’s possible to pursue damages from the at-fault driver.
Should I Speak to an Insurance Adjuster?
The insurance adjuster will likely contact the victim to discuss the accident. They will have a series of questions for accident victims, and it’s essential to proceed with caution. The last thing any victim wants is their potential settlement to be impacted because they say the wrong thing and inadvertently implicate fault. If a lawyer represents the victim, it’s usually best to refer the insurance adjuster to them.
What Steps Should I Take After an Accident?
The steps to take after a motorcycle accident very much resemble those taken after a car crash. Important steps to keep in mind are to:
- Check on everyone involved in the crash to see if anyone needs immediate medical attention.
- Call 911, to inform them of the accident; do this even if no one has been seriously hurt since you should still report the accident to the police.
- Collect as much contact information as you can from the other people involved in the crash, especially a phone number, license plate number, driver’s license number, and insurance information.
- Document the scene of the accident. If you have a camera or a camera-phone handy, get pictures of the scene, as well as the individual vehicles involved. If you don’t have a camera available, try to take some pictures of the damage to your bike once you get home.
- After you’ve spoken with the police and made your report, contact your insurance company to report the accident. They may ask you for an interview to provide them with the details of the accident. Make sure not to provide this information without first consulting with a lawyer.
Rasmussen & Miner, Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
1334 2nd Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Contact Our Salt Lake City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
The injuries experienced during motorcycle accidents are often disastrous in nature. No-fault insurance is unfortunately not a requirement for motorcycles in Utah. In order to receive compensation for things such as disability, medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages, you will be required to file a lawsuit regarding personal injury against the insurance company of the driver that is at fault.
At Rasmussen & Miner, we understand the situation at hand and know how important of a decision it can be to choose a lawyer to hire. We constantly strive to protect our client’s rights and best interests, as the result of the case can cause a huge impact on your future. By choosing a motorcycle accident lawyer at our firm, you will never have to question how serious we take this responsibility, and hard and diligently we will work to secure the greatest compensation possible and ultimately win your claim. If you are ready to learn about your rights as a motorcycle accident victim, our team at Rasmussen & Miner would like to listen to what is happening and help you take action that gets results.
If you sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident, you may want to consult a motorcycle accident lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT from Rasmussen & Miner. You may be entitled to receive compensation. A lawyer can help you bring a claim against the negligent party.