Motorcycle Accidents

A motorcycle exposes the rider to the elements, which means that injuries from accidents can be far more severe than those sustained in a standard motor vehicle. Serious neck and back injuries are common, and fatalities happen more often than you might think. Responsibly riding a motorcycle is crucial, should be taken seriously, and always practiced with great caution. Common sense and a watchful eye can help prevent certain accident scenarios, but the fact is that we never know what’s going to happen on the road.

The most recent statistics come from 2019 and reveal that 5,014 motorcyclists were killed as a result of accidents. What may be even more shocking is that motorcyclists account for 14% of the vehicle crash deaths in 2019, and that number has doubled since 1997.

If you or a loved one has experienced a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

The attorneys at the Cox Law Firm offer decades of experience helping victims of motorcycle accidents and their families seek damages for serious injury or wrongful death.

Types of Automobile Accidents

Car Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Rideshare Accidents

Trucking Accidents

Car
Accidents

Rideshare Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Trucking Accidents

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

As with any vehicle accident, there are certain things to avoid and certain steps to take.

What happens in the minutes immediately following a motorcycle accident can have a serious impact on your case. Knowing what to do in that moment can help relieve some of the stress of the situation and put you in a better place for filing a personal injury lawsuit.

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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

As with any vehicle accident, there are certain things to avoid and certain steps to take.

What happens in the minutes immediately following a motorcycle accident can have a serious impact on your case. Knowing what to do in that moment can help relieve some of the stress of the situation and put you in a better place for filing a personal injury lawsuit.

The following do’s and don’ts may be used as a guideline for what should and shouldn’t be done after a motorcycle accident.

DO’S

  • Call the Police: Whether the driver who caused the accident has stuck around or fled the scene, contact the police ASAP.
  • Seek Medical Attention: Whether you feel injured or not, there are several injuries that might not present themselves immediately. You may feel fine but you’re most likely going to be in shock and full of adrenaline in the moment. Our bodies do not alert us to pain as effectively when in this state, so always have a doctor inspect you for both internal and external injuries.
  • Get to a Safe Spot: Highway accidents are dangerous due to their tendency to create debris and cause rubbernecking, which has the potential to cause more accidents. Even if you were on a smaller surface street, try to move your bike and other vehicles involved off to the shoulder and out of the way of traffic, if possible.
  • Try to Find Witnesses: If you’re lucky, someone who saw the accident will pull over to give a statement to the authorities. You can also look around the area to see if any pedestrians who witnessed the accident were present and ask if they’d be willing to provide their contact information so that a statement can be taken later, if needed.
  • Take Pictures: This is a staple for any accident. Take pictures of your motorcycle, other vehicles involved, the scene, and any injuries. Take as many pictures as you can from every angle you can. The more the better. If you can, take photos before moving the vehicles from the roadway.
  • File a Claim with Your Insurance Company: This isn’t to say give a recorded statement, but do let them know what happened and provide them with contact information for the other drivers and their insurance companies.
  • Contact Family or Friends: This is especially true if you are injured and are being taken to a hospital. It’s always good to let someone close to you know what’s going on and where you are, so that they won’t worry if they don’t see/hear from you when they expected to.
  • Journal the Events: Taking notes from your perspective can really help you remember the details. From the incident itself, to any pain you experienced, to medications and treatments you’ve been prescribed, write it all down.
  • Get in Touch with a Lawyer: Insurance adjustors, recorded statements, claims, these are all things you’ll have to deal with in the aftermath of an accident. The added stress of juggling all these things on top of recovering can put unnecessary strain on the victim and their families.
    An experienced Lake Charles motorcycle accident attorney at the Cox Law Firm can handle your case, so the only thing you should be doing is resting and healing.

DON’TS

  • Leave the Scene: Unless you’re being taken away in an ambulance for emergency treatment. Stick around, talk to the police, and get information from the other drivers involved.
  • Argue with the Other Driver(s): It’s just not worth it. This only has the potential to weaken your case and shine a bad light on yourself to witnesses and investigators.
  • Talk to an Insurance Adjustor: They may claim to have your best interests at heart, but they don’t. Their sole purpose is to try to confuse you, causing you to say something that will either hurt your case or make it look like your original statement was not truthful. If you find yourself in this situation when notifying your insurance company, hang up the phone and do not answer questions without an attorney.
  • Make Speculations: No matter how much you believe the other party was at fault for the accident, don’t say so. Speculations are another thing that can taint your reputation.
  • Accept Any Settlement Offers: Even if you keep conversations with insurance adjustors to the bare minimum, they’ll still likely try to make you an offer. Never ever accept the first offer you get, and don’t accept any offer until you’ve discussed it with your attorney.
  • Give a Recorded Statement without a Lawyer Present: A recorded statement can be the nail in the coffin for your claim. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Having a lawyer with you at the time of the interview will allow him to tell you what you should and should not answer.
  • Be Scared: The best advice is to stay as quiet as you can and keep your wits about you. Stay calm. Do this and call for the help of a skilled attorney with years of experienced fighting for victims of motorcycle accidents at the Cox Law Firm.

As we’ve mentioned, rider exposure on a motorcycle can often make for more severe injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical bills, time off from work, and more.  Loss of life is not only a possibility resulting from a motorcycle accident, but a common occurrence. If one of your loved ones suffered wrongful death at the hands of a negligent driver, you, as the next of kin, may have a case to seek damages. Often, next of kin can seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of future income/support, and a variety of emotional damages.

 

The Cox Law Firm has almost 50 years of experience fighting for injured victims. In fact, we’re one of the oldest and most reputable personal injury groups in Southwestern Louisiana. Whether your insurance claim is being disputed, you need help seeking compensation for your injuries after a motorcycle accident, or a loved one has died as a result of negligence, our experienced Lake Charles lawyers are here for you. Contact us today at 337-428-3953, we’ll evaluate your case and determine if you are eligible to receive financial compensation for your injuries.

Other Practice Areas

Workplace Injuries

Catastrophic Injuries

Class-Actions

Claim Disputes

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