A motorcycle crash caused by driver negligence can cause more severe injuries than a similar car crash. Motorcycle riders lack the physical protection that drivers of other kinds of motor vehicles have, like roll bars and airbags. Motorcycle riders also get unfairly blamed for accidents by police, insurance companies, and juries.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys understand the unique needs of injured riders and have experience holding negligent drivers accountable and getting their clients’ maximum compensation.
Motorcycle Accidents Cause More Severe Injuries
Motorcycle accident victims face a higher risk of injuries in accidents because they lack external protection. Catastrophic injuries include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, degloving injuries, and amputations. They are also more likely to have broken bones, road rash, and burns.
Degloving injuries
Degloving injuries happen when the skin is torn from underlying connective tissue and muscle and are life-threatening, requiring immediate emergency medical attention and ongoing medical treatment. Future treatment needs are considered future damages and include surgery, appointment, and physical therapy costs.
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries and amputations occur more often in motorcycle riders than passenger vehicle occupants in the same crash. The lack of external protection makes blunt force trauma more likely.
New York laws require helmet use, but that doesn’t prevent all head injuries. Impact or whiplash can cause spinal cord injuries, including inflammation and spinal cord bruising. These injuries can affect accident victims for life, often causing partial paralysis.
Internal injuries
The exposure of motorcycle riders also makes internal bleeding a more significant risk. Some cases can be monitored, but they often require surgery. In severe cases, you might have partial or total organ removal.
Closed degloving injuries also cause internal bleeding and are often missed until the victim has lost a lot of blood. This is one good reason to get a medical evaluation after all accidents.
Road rash and burns
Broken bones, road rash, and burns all cause intense pain. All may require surgery to repair. Road rash and burns require doctors to remove dead and damaged tissue and debris, which is an excruciating process and may go through all layers of the skin.
You should receive compensation beyond your medical expenses for these injuries. They cause pain and suffering and loss of income and potentially change the way you live forever. However, getting compensated can be challenging for motorcycle riders.
Motorcycle Riders Face Discrimination from Police, Insurance Companies, and Juries
Due to unconscious bias, people mistakenly believe that most motorcycle riders are at-fault drivers even when they follow all traffic laws. This bias makes hiring a personal injury lawyer imperative for winning motorcycle accident claims.
An attorney with extensive experience dealing with motorcycle accidents knows how to confront prejudice and keep it from preventing a fair settlement.
This bias shows up in police reports that insurance companies will use as an excuse to deny a claim and their lawyers use to enforce a jury’s bias. To prevent your claim for compensation from being unfairly dismissed, hire a personal injury attorney with motorcycle crash experience.
These lawyers know how to investigate the accident and identify any bias in official reports. They also know how to make jury members see beyond any bias to ensure you receive a fair trial and get the compensation you deserve.
What a Lawyer Can Do for You
During the initial consultation with your motorcycle accident attorney, you will learn what to expect from the attorney and the process. Your lawyer will then investigate the crash, interview witnesses, and get copies of your medical bills.
Knowing the impact your injuries will have on your life, your attorney then decides what fair compensation should be and contacts the at-fault driver’s insurance company to begin negotiating. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can take the case to trial.
At trial, your attorney can call on expert witnesses to make the jury understand the different types of damages you have suffered and why the amount you are asking for is warranted. For the non-financial losses, these expert witnesses help the jury put a number to your suffering.
Get Your Free Case Review Today
If you have been in a serious motorcycle accident, you may have sustained severe injuries that impact your quality of life. You need an experienced lawyer to fight for you and ensure you get a fair settlement.
Contact a Syracuse motorcycle accident lawyer at Catalano Law today to get a free consultation and the financial recovery you need for your injuries.