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A victim's life could be changed forever when a motorcycle accident happens. That is why people need the right personal injury law firm behind them to have a better chance of receiving the compensation they deserve. Also, they are less likely to be taken advantage of by an insurance company that does not want to pay out for any damages.
Many people trust Powell Law Firm because they are a team that cares about every victim that walks through their door. When a motorcycle accident happens, people get in contact for their free consultation.
What Are the Common Causes of a Motorcycle Accident?
A car accident could happen involving a motorcycle because of its small size. That is because they can be harder to see on the road, but that is when a personal injury case could happen if they are hit. Some of the following are common reasons why a motorcycle accident can happen:
Distracted driving - There are many distractions on the road, but when a driver is distracted, that could lead to serious car accidents. People should always have their full attention on the road when they are driving instead of looking at their phones, changing their music, or anything else.
Driving while under the influence - Sadly, many drivers drive under the influence of mind-altering substances. This can be anything from alcohol to drugs to prescription medication. When someone is operating a motor vehicle when they are not of sound mind, they are putting everyone at risk.
Fatigued driving - Drowsy drivers have caused many motorcycle accidents because this can be just as bad as impaired driving. That is why drivers should pull over and have a break if they are getting tired because they might not see a motorcycle driving beside them if they are too tired.
Speeding - Speeding is one of the leading causes of a motorcycle accident because drivers do not have enough time to break. This is true whether the weather is good or bad. Also, since they have less time to break when they see a motorcycle on the road, they are more likely to hit them and cause a serious accident resulting in wrongful death.
Driving errors - Many inexperienced drivers cause car accidents because they are not checking their blind spot correctly, may fail to yield, or are not turning their turning signal correctly. These errors may seem small, but they can be why a motorcycle accident has happened because they can all result in serious injuries.
What Are the Different Types of Motorcycle Accidents?
There are a few different types of motorcycle accidents that can happen to a rider:
Head-on collision - A head-on collision happens when the front end of a car goes straight into the front end of a motorcycle. These accidents tend to lead to severe injuries and sometimes death.
Rear-end collision - When the front of a car goes into the back of a motorcycle, this is considered a rear-end collision. The rider may be pushed into the car in front of them or thrown off their bike.
Blindspot accidents - A blindspot accident happens more often than people think because drivers may not check their blindspots correctly or will just swerve into other lanes. This is extremely dangerous because many motorcyclists are in someone's blind spot without realizing it.
Side-impact - When a side-impact crash happens, the side or front part of a car hits the motorcyclist's side. This can occur when the driver does not yield properly at a red light, run a red light, or fail to signal before turning.
Door accidents - If someone swings their car door open into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist, then they could cause some severe harm to the person. These types of accidents can cause blunt-force trauma or the motorcyclist being thrown off their bike.
What Are Some Common Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident?
A motorcyclist does not have the same kind of protection that a passenger in a car has, so their injuries tend to be severe after being in a car accident. Some of their injuries sustained could be:
Head and neck injuries
Partial or total paralysis
Traumatic brain injuries
Lacerations
Spinal cord injuries
Abdominal injuries
Broken bones
Internal bleeding
Thermal burns and road rash
Past-traumatic stress disorder
Fractured or dislocated bones
When a personal injury happens, the right law firm must be contacted because the victim will need a car accident lawyer ready to help them with everything they need for their case.
What Kind of Compensation Could a Victim Receive?
There are two kinds of compensation that can be claimed from a motorcycle accident:
Economic Damages
A car accident lawyer will ensure that the motorcyclist will get their economic damages. This is because it is easier to prove the monetary value of this aspect of their life with things like:
Medical bills
Surgeries
Therapy
Prescription medication
Lost wages
All of the above have a monetary value, which can be claimed back by a motorcycle accident lawyer.
Non-Economic Damages
When it comes to non-economic damages, then it can be a bit harder to explain to the insurance company and the court how much they cost. They do not come with a simple amount that needs to be paid, like medical bills. Still, the motorcycle accident lawyer will need to do additional research to figure out how much money is required for this part of a person's recovery:
Pain and suffering
Mental health and anguish
Stress
Loss of enjoyment for life
The above is harder to give a dollar amount, but the right personal injury lawyers will know how to do this.
What Needs to Happen After a Motorcycle Accident?
A few different things need to happen after a motorcycle accident:
Call 911
People cannot shy away from calling the authorities. A motorcycle accident can result in personal injuries that are severe, and the best thing to do is to call the professionals. The police will come and gather evidence that Clayton personal injury lawyers can use to help with the claim afterward. Also, the paramedics will be able to look at everyone involved in the car accident.
This is the most important thing because the medical professionals will determine whether the victim needs to go to a hospital right away. They will then be able to transport them to the nearest hospital, so they are more likely to receive the proper care they need on time.
Gather Photos
It should only be completed if it is safe to do so, and the victim does not need to go to the hospital when it comes to this step. If it is safe to do so, the victim should try and take a few photos of the scene before it gets cleared up. This will help with the case that the personal injury lawyers will need to make, so the rider receives the compensation that they deserve.
Also, if any witnesses are present, gathering their personal information to pass on to the Clayton personal injury lawyers will help with witness testimonies.
Seek Medical Help
Every victim must be properly looked at by a medical professional after being in a car accident. This is because the law firm will gather this information for the case. Also, a doctor will be able to make sure that the victim will receive the proper medical care that they need.
However, medical malpractice does happen, and many people get hurt when a doctor does not take care of them properly. It is always good to get a second opinion if something does not feel right. Another option is to have someone present who can make sure that the victim is being looked after properly if they cannot speak for themselves. If the victim of a car accident is also the victim of medical malpractice, they should call a law firm that can help them file a lawsuit.
Call MO Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Right Away
Once the victim has been looked at by medical professionals and is ready to talk about the car accident, they should call the right car accident lawyer to help them with their claim. This needs to happen before the insurance company is contacted because many victims can see high rates being added to their insurance before proving that they were not at fault. Also, MO motorcycle accident lawyers know how to speak with insurance companies so that the victim is not in any additional trouble.
Why Do People Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident?
There are many reasons people will hire a lawyer after being in a motorcycle accident.
It Helps with Stress Levels
A motorcycle accident can result in stress for the rider and their loved ones. Instead of handling an entire claim on their own, it is better to let the professionals help because they are trained to do this. A law firm will understand that people need to have time to themselves to focus on their healing journey, so they shouldn't be stressing about the claim process.
However, if the right law firm is hired, they will ensure that any claim that needs to be done is completed with care and in time for any deadlines.
Statute of Limitations
A driver has around two years to file a personal injury claim after being in an accident. However, two years can fly by when someone is trying to recover from their injuries. It is better to call a law firm right away because they can get the ball rolling as soon as possible. It is better to file the claim right away to get the best results.
Also, there will be additional time constraints and deadlines that need to be met throughout the process, but a team of motorcycle accident lawyers will be able to get everything done on time.
Evidence
Many forms of evidence can help with a personal injury claim. Whether it is medical paperwork or witness testimonies, the law firm will cover everything. When it comes to a personal injury lawsuit, the proper evidence can make all the difference, so the law firm will ensure they have everything they need for a successful claim.
When someone tries to do this independently, they can mistakenly forget additional information that could help them with their case. Luckily, motorcycle accident lawyers will not. They will speak with the witnesses and gather testimonies and further evidence that can all work together for the results they want.
What Motorcyclists Should Do to Keep Themselves Safe
There are 10 things that motorcyclists should always do to keep themselves safe on the road.
Wear a helmet: Wearing a helmet is a part of the law, but it is also one of the best ways to keep someone's head safe. Head injuries are one of the leading causes of death in motorcycle accidents, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
Look twice: Motorcyclists should always try and predict what other drivers are doing on the road, but drivers should always check their blind spots twice. Many times, they think they might be fine to go into another lane, but there is a motorcyclist there, and they end up causing an accident. Instead, every driver should take their time and be aware of their surroundings.
Teach the passengers: Many passengers on a motorcycle may think it is very romantic to just hop on the back of a bike and hold onto the driver, but there is more to it than just that. They need to be wearing the right protective gear, and the driver needs to be okay with having a passenger on the back of their bike. People may take time out and go to a parking lot to practice riding with a passenger before going onto the roads.
Look at the weather: It is risky driving a car in the rain, but that same risk doubles when a motorcyclist wants to ride their bike in the rain. The bike only has half of the traction that a car has because it has two wheels, so it is better to leave the bike at home when it's raining.
Space: Many drivers and motorcyclists do not leave enough room when on the road. This is dangerous because if someone in front needs to brake suddenly, the person behind them could cause a rear-end collision. Instead, everyone should keep their distance.
No distractions: No rider or driver should ever go on their phone while operating a vehicle. This is because it is distracting, taking their attention off the road. That split second could change someone's life forever, so checking any text messages after the journey is over is better.
Ride appropriately: Like many other aspects of life, riding a motorcycle takes some skill, so people should only ride within their abilities. Newer riders should take it easy on the road because they may still be getting used to riding on a curvier road.
Footgear: When riding a motorcycle, the right shoes need to be worn because the driver's toes and feet could become burned by the engine very quickly. People say they shouldn't wear open-toed shoes or anything that could easily slip off while riding.
Wear the right clothes: Do not believe everything on the TV because actual riders need to wear the proper clothing to keep them safe. If a crash happens, any exposed skin could be completely taken off if someone slides on asphalt. Instead, every rider should wear the proper clothing.
Take a safety course: Motorcycle safety courses are out there that people may have to take to get their license. Every rider should pay close attention to these courses because these tips could save their life.
Why Choose Powell Law Firm?
Many people will go to Powell Law Firm, the best motorcycle accident lawyer in St Louis for their personal injury claims because they know that they are a team of motorcycle accident lawyers that care about every victim. They are professional, knowledgeable, and experienced when it comes to the law, so the victim does not need to worry when they are looking after their case.
Additionally, they want to help take any added stresses off of the victim and their loved ones, so they can focus on what matters - healing. That is also why they offer a free consultation to victims who need to learn more about what they may get from working with Powell Law Firm. It is just another way that the team looks after every person that walks in through the front door.
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Conclusion
When a motorcycle accident happens, every victim should make sure to call Powell Law Firm. This is because they will make sure that they are receiving the proper assistance from their insurance company and the at-fault driver. Car accidents are severe and can cause severe injuries that could change a person's life forever.
Any rider that has any questions should call Powell Law Firm at (314) 470-1374.