Motorcycle crashes are devastating.
Your body has almost no protection from the pavement when you wreck. While all auto accidents are bad, motorcycle accidents tend to be far more serious.
Not only that…
Surviving riders face a complex legal process that most people don’t realize can drastically change their settlement — simply by hiring a lawyer.
But here’s the problem.
Unless you’ve been through it yourself, you have no idea what an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer actually does for accident road rash injury victims. Everything from your compensation to the direction of your case can change if you have legal guidance.
Before you give up on getting the settlement you deserve…
let’s take a closer look at how motorcycle crashes are different — and what your attorney can do to help you recover.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are Different Than Car Crashes
Motorcycle riders hold a unique spot on the road.
The NHTSA reports that motorcycle riders are 29x more likely to die during a crash than passengers inside of a vehicle. That isn’t slightly more likely. That’s catastrophically more likely.
Worse yet, riders that do survive tend to have serious injuries. Broken bones, spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injuries, and accident road rash injuries are common after a motorcycle crash. All of these injuries are life-changing and incredibly expensive.
That is why legal representation makes such a big difference when serious injuries are involved. While you’re recovering from your trauma, you should be focused on resting and healing — not on the legal complexities surrounding your accident.
A seasoned motorcycle accident lawyer in Calgary knows how to manage these situations, allowing you to take care of yourself.
Accident Road Rash Injuries Are Costly
Here’s one example of what that means…
Road rash injuries sound minor. They’re not.
Skin slides off of the body when a rider is thrown or slides across asphalt. Deep road rash can take off layers of skin, exposing muscle and even bone. These injuries can lead to infection, permanent scarring, and nerve damage. Skin grafts are common. Recovery can take months and cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Insurance companies love to minimize road rash injuries and compensation.
Insurance adjusters tend to view accident road rash injuries as minor, “surface level” damage. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Road rash can lead to:
- Permanent disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Chronic pain
- Multiple corrective surgeries
- Months or even years of wound care and physical therapy
When riders do not have legal representation, insurance companies successfully pressure them to accept settlements that don’t cover their injuries. This is a mistake riders will literally pay for.
Insurance Companies Routinely Lowball Motorcycle Claims
Speaking of insurance companies…
It’s funny how the same entity who promised to protect you after an accident turns against you at the first sign of trouble.
Insurance companies profit by settling claims for as little money as possible. Nothing changes when you file a motorcycle accident claim. In fact, riders face even bigger challenges.
The truth is that some insurance adjusters view motorcycle accidents as the rider’s fault. They believe that motorcyclists do not take proper safety precautions, which causes them to crash. While blatantly untrue, this stigma makes it easier for insurers to deny claims or give lowball settlements.
Here are a few other ways insurance companies fight motorcycle accident claims:
- Presenting quick, lowball settlement offers before your injuries have been assessed
- Fighting fault when the evidence clearly proves they’re responsible
- Undervaluing accident road rash injuries and soft tissue trauma
- Attempting to delay your claim so you feel pressure to settle quickly
This isn’t something you’ll catch if you don’t have legal guidance. That is why having a seasoned lawyer on your side can literally change the settlement you walk away with.
Here’s What Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Does
Let’s say you decide to forego legal counsel. What could your attorney have done for you?
Prepare for a laundry list.
Fight for a Fair Settlement
Any motorcycle accident lawyer will tell you the same thing about how they handle motorcycle crashes. They fight.
Your lawyer will protect your rights and do everything they can to increase your settlement. They’ll be there to ensure insurers don’t take advantage of your situation.
Investigate Your Crash
Lawyers are great detectives. While your crash occurred months ago, an attorney can gather police reports, interview witnesses, and pull traffic camera footage.
They can even work with accident reconstruction experts to ensure every angle is covered. If fault for your crash is in question, your lawyer can help you prove liability.
Know What Your Claim Is Worth
Most riders grossly underestimate what their claim is worth. Lawyers factor in:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Cost of accident road rash injuries, like scarring and disfigurement
Every detail matters when your lawyer builds your case.
Negotiate With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers that know how to get riders to accept lower settlements. Your attorney can level the playing field by doing the same.
They negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf, fighting back against lowball settlements and insurance company stalling tactics.
Take Your Case to Trial
Nine times out of ten, cases settle before they see the inside of a courtroom. However, that doesn’t mean your lawyer won’t go to trial if they need to.
If you and your attorney can’t reach a settlement that fully covers your injuries, they will take your case in front of a judge or jury. Knowing you have the resources to do this often changes how insurance companies negotiate.
Settlement Statistics
At this point, you’re either convinced or you aren’t.
If you’re on the fence, here’s one more thing to consider. Actual statistics.
Research conducted by the Insurance Research Council revealed that people who hire lawyers receive 40% more in their insurance settlements. While that may not sound like much, it is everything when you’re facing hospital bills, recovery costs, and missed time at work.
It’s also important to note that motorcycle accidents injure over 83,000 riders every year.
That’s 83,000 injured riders who require medical attention and could benefit from legal counsel.
Don’t become a statistic.
If you want the best possible outcome from your motorcycle accident claim, hire a lawyer. The right guidance can literally change everything from your recovery to your peace of mind.
Hire a Lawyer Before You Wait Too Long
Think the risks around motorcycle crashes and insurance settlements were exaggerated?
Think again.
These accidents cause serious injuries every year. They also open riders up to insurance companies who rarely have their best interest at heart.
If you want someone fighting on your behalf, hire a lawyer.
The sooner you call, the sooner they can start working for you. Evidence can be lost, deadlines can be missed, and opportunities to build your case disappear if you wait too long.
Don’t let your settlement be decided by the insurance company. Call a lawyer today and let them help you file the strongest claim possible.
