Anyone who has ridden a motorcycle knows how dangerous it can be to share the road with cars and trucks traveling beside them. Motorcycles are frequently cut off in traffic, tailed too closely, and even pushed out of traffic by inattentive drivers. Such ill-treatment is not only unfair to motorcyclists, it is also incredibly dangerous.
By their very nature, motorcycles far less capable of withstanding accidents and crashes than closed vehicles. They are also generally less visible to other drivers and pedestrians and less stable than four-wheel vehicles. Operating a motorcycle requires a different combination of physical and mental skills than those used in driving four-wheel vehicles. Motorcyclists and their passengers are more vulnerable to the hazards of weather and road conditions than drivers in closed vehicles.
On average, while cars are involved in more total accidents and injuries than motorcycles simply because there are more cars on the road, motorcyclists tend to suffer higher injury rates and fatalities than drivers of other vehicles. In fact, bikers are 27 times more likely to experience a fatal accident than car drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In order to find justice for their injuries and losses, victims should consider hiring an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to help them through the legal aftermath of their collision.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, there are a series of steps that you will need to take to file a proper claim for damages and the treatment of any injuries sustained. Filing a claim may be a confusing process if you have never done it before. However, if you take the proper steps it will help you get what you need to repair or replace your motorcycle and treat any injuries that were sustained, and overall minimize any emotional, financial, and physical issues you may experience.
- Back and neck pain
- Head and brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Lacerations
- Internal injuries
Call the Police
All accidents that result in damage sufficient for repair of a motorcycle or vehicle require calling the police. When the proper authorities arrive, you will want to answer their questions truthfully and with as much detail as you can provide. It is the job of the police to decide who, if anyone, is at fault. If they decide that the other person is at fault, their insurance should cover repair or replacement of your motorcycle. If you are at fault and you have comprehensive coverage, then you can file a claim with your insurance company and receive due compensation. Getting insurance sorted out early on is vital to insure the ensuing procedures are as smooth and painless as possible.
Document the Accident
You will want to document the accident as best as you can. This means taking photos of the damage sustained and the accident scene. Be sure to get any witness statements that back your claim and get their contact information in case you need to go to court to use their testimony as evidence. If the witnesses remained at the scene when the police arrived, the police will get their statements as well.
Call Your Insurance Agent
You are going to need guidance to the claims process and your insurance agent is a good place to start. They will now how the claims process for the insurance company works so you can follow it properly. In addition to the evidence at the scene, you will need to provide estimates from motorcycle repair shops about the damage sustained to your bike. Plus, documentation of the treatment of any injuries sustained. All of this will be needed so you can file your claim.
File the Claim
Before filing a claim, it’s essential to speak with a Boston motorcycle accident attorney. Aside from a partner you can count on, a motorcycle accident attorney is able to advise you throughout every step of the process. An attorney can also ensure you’re getting the most out of your claim, in addition to answering any and all questions you may have regarding the claims filing process.
Call an Attorney
You should find an attorney who offers a free consultation of the services they provide. They can look over all the information and offer suggestions as to how their services can be of assistance. Because insurance companies do their best to pay as little out of pocket as possible, an experienced attorney will also inform you of costs that you may not have realized which may make the initial offer by the insurance company seem very inadequate.
The final decision of whether to accept the settlement or challenge it with the services of the attorney is up to you. However, you should have all the information first before making your final decision, otherwise, you may not be getting all the compensation you are entitled to.
Motorcycle Injury Claims
Motorcycle crashes can often cause lots of damage not only to victims’ bodies and vehicles but to their livelihoods, as well. Beyond medical expenses, ambulance bills, and motorcycle repairs, often income may be compromised or lost due to the injured party being forced to take time away from work, or even stop working altogether for a long period of time. Thus, receiving a denial of liability from the at-fault party’s insurance provider can leave a motorcycle accident victim feeling like they have few options. If your motorcycle injury claim has been denied, you likely have a number of questions.
- How will you prove the other person was a fault?
- Will you ever receive compensation for your damaged motorcycle?
- What will you use for transportation now?
- How will your medical bills get paid?
- What are your legal options?
- How will you make ends meet if you are too injured to work?
The motorcycle accident lawyers with Shapiro Law Group, PC understand the frustration you must be feeling. You shouldn’t have to pay for another person’s negligence and irresponsibility. Nor should you let the insurance companies prevent you from receiving proper recompense. Contact one of our Boston motorcycle accident attorneys today to see how we can help you get the settlement you deserve. Here are just a few ways our motorcycle accident lawyers can guide and support you:
- Negotiate a fair and balanced settlement
- Help prove liability beyond a doubt
- Set up your property damage claim
- Connect you with a network of medical providers
- Compile your comprehensive medical records
- File a lawsuit and fight for you in court
- Be a dedicated voice for you throughout the legal process
WE FIGHT FOR YOU!
When you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident and suffered injuries, you need an advocate in your corner who will look out for your rights while you focus on recovery. Our firm will give you and your case the personal attention needed so we can assess what the accident has cost you, physically and emotionally. Our firm will work to line up witnesses and experts, gather evidence, investigate the scene, and do everything we can to clearly present your side and your losses. We will work diligently to get you the compensation you need to recover and protect the future needs of your family. We also have the negotiating and litigating skills to take on the insurance company when they try to get you to settle for less than you need.
Shapiro Law Group, PC, provides ongoing support throughout the entire process so you don’t have to fight alone or ever feel in the dark about how your case is progressing. Unlike many law firms, we assign a team of personable and specialized lawyers to each case, a method that solo practitioners and large firms alike simply cannot replicate. We are always accessible and available to our clients because we understand what is at stake. To this end, we will:
- Answer and return all your correspondences the way you prefer.
- Keep you informed about your case with updates as soon as they occur.
- Walk you through each step of the litigation process to be sure you understand what is happening, and what all possible outcomes may be.
- Refer you to an equally qualified professional if for some reason we are unable to help at the moment you need it.
Successful and experienced legal representation makes a world of difference when it comes to auto accidents and their fall out. Our attorneys are dedicated to ensuring you experience this difference, and they have the record to back it. We have a strong understanding of the legal system and what is required to ensure you are guaranteed the best outcome after a motorcycle accident.
Let our expert team of Boston personal injury attorneys handle your personal injury situation and help you get the resolution you need so you can begin to move forward as soon as possible.
At Shapiro Law Group, PC, we are ready to help you. Contact us at (339) 200-9933 to set up your initial consultation.