Getting into a motorcycle accident is highly stressful for everyone involved, especially if someone got injured and needs to focus on recovering. The chances are that this person will have to deal with substantial financial repercussions after the accident, and thinking about it can cause much more stress. Therefore, hiring a Brookhaven motorcycle accident lawyer is one of the smartest things they can do
Here at the Law Office of Carl Maltese, we have a team of fantastic professionals who can take care of victims' personal injury lawsuits. All they have to do is get a free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer who can help them better understand their accident.
What Is a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Motorcycle accident lawyers are personal injury attorneys who specialize in bike accidents. Therefore, they know all the ins and outs of managing these cases and ensure their clients get the highest possible compensation for their damages.
They specialize in tort law, which consists of violating a public duty other than a breach of contract. In this case, the defendant breached the duty of not harming others. That's why motorcycle accident lawyers aim to bring justice to their clients.
What a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Does
Motorcycle accident attorneys focus on several things in a personal injury lawsuit. Some of the most common are the following:
Explaining Your Rights
It is common for motorcycle accident victims to be confused after the accident, especially if they've never gone through something similar before. Luckily for them, the Brookhaven motorcycle accident lawyer can explain everything they need to know about the case and ensure they're aware of all the procedures they will go through.
Providing Legal Guidance and Advice
Another fantastic perk of hiring a Brookhaven motorcycle accident lawyer is that they will provide timely advice on how to manage the case. This will ensure the victim knows how to deal with the insurance company after filing the motorcycle accident claim.
They will walk the victim through the entirety of the legal process and prevent them from accepting a low settlement or doing anything that could hurt their case.
Building Your Motorcycle Accident Case
A Brookhaven motorcycle accident lawyer will also take care of building the case and collecting the evidence that proves the other party's negligence. These lawyers know what evidence they need to collect to build a strong case against the liable party and make them responsible for their client's damages.
They will also need to wait until the victim reaches maximum medical improvement to correctly calculate the costs of the treatment, future medical expenses, and total damages. Once this happens, they will be ready to file a claim.
Negotiating for a Fair Settlement
If the victim tries to file a claim on their own, they are likely to get manipulated by the insurance company and accept a low-ball offer. Still, this offer will rarely cover the entirety of their damages.
On the other hand, if they hire an experienced lawyer, they will know how to negotiate a fair settlement based on the real damages the victim suffered.
Representing You in Court
Although most bike accidents get settled outside the courtroom, some will need the victim to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Therefore, it is crucial to hire a personal injury lawyer with previous courtroom experience so that they can defend their clients and fight for their rights in a jury trial.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bike Accidents?
These accidents can be caused by several reasons, such as road conditions and negligent driving. However, some of the most common are the following.
Distracted Driving: It is common for drivers to lose focus occasionally, but sadly, this can lead to terrible accidents. The most common causes of distracted driving are talking on the phone, eating, and checking the GPS.
Drunk Driving: This is a hazardous situation, as drunk driving can cause the driver to forget about driving carefully and lose control of their vehicle, which can cause terrible consequences, including these accidents.
Speeding: It is common for drivers to ignore the speed limit, but this can cause them to lose control of their vehicle and crash onto others. Speeding makes it difficult to effectively stop and turn the vehicle, which can cause accidents.
Dooring Accidents: A dooring accident consists of a vehicle that suddenly opens a door without checking the traffic, which causes a motorcyclist to crash against the door and fall off their bike.
Forgetting to Check Blind Spots: Anyone who decides to drive a vehicle must be aware of the blind spots when driving, as this will prevent them from causing accidents. If they neglect to do this, they may cause terrible injuries.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Several factors can cause motorcycle accident injuries. Some of the most common are the following.
Road Rash: This happens when the motorcyclist falls from the bike and skids across the ground, which causes their skin to tear and creates friction burns.
Broken Bones: If the motorcyclist falls against a hard surface with enough strength, they will likely suffer from broken bones.
Spinal Cord Injuries: This is one of the most severe injuries that can cause permanent disability. They're caused by intense pressure applied to the spinal cord to the point of damaging it.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: If the motorcyclist gets hit hard enough on their head, they are likely to suffer from a concussion or other traumatic brain injuries that could cause permanent disability.
Crush Injuries: Sometimes, a body part will be crushed by the motorcycle or another heavy object. This can cause broken bones, bleeding, and bruising, which in the worst-case scenario can lead to amputation.
What to do After a Motorcycle Accident
The first time someone gets into a Brookhaven motorcycle accident, they may feel a bit lost. Luckily, they only need to follow these simple steps.
Seeking Medical Treatment for the Injuries
Firstly, the motorcycle riders must seek medical treatment to take care of their injuries and ensure they won't suffer any significant consequences from the crash.
This will also help them gather their medical expenses to help their Brookhaven motorcycle accident lawyer correctly calculate their compensation.
Writing Down What Happened During the Motorcycle Accident
The chances are that the victim will forget about the details of their motorcycle crash.
Therefore, they must write and collect as much evidence as possible to give it to their legal team during their free legal consultation.
Some of the details that need to be recorded are the following:
When it happened
Where it happened
The people involved
The severity of the injuries
This will also help if the case goes to trial, as the Brookhaven and Long Island motorcycle accident attorney will need to show this evidence to the jury.
Keeping Track of Vital Motorcycle Accident Documentation
The main thing the victim needs to recover compensation is to prove that the other party's negligent behavior caused their damages.
Therefore, they must gather all essential documents, such as police reports, medical records, etc.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in Brookhaven will gather these documents and build a case around them to prove liability for the motorcycle collision.
Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcyclists are free to manage their own cases, but hiring a Brookhaven motorcycle accidents lawyer will always be a better option. They have much more expertise and knowledge to manage all the tricky aspects of the case while the victim takes care of their injuries.
What Motorcycle Accident Damages Can You Pursue Compensation For?
With the right legal team by their side, the motorcycle crash victim can pursue compensation for several types of damages in their personal injury claim.
The most common damages they can get awarded for their personal injury claim are the following.
Medical bills and care
Lost wages
Loss of earning potential due to disability
Costs of repairing their private property
Disability costs
Loss of companionship
Pain and suffering
Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
There are several motorcycle crashes, but it is crucial to know all of them so that people can be aware of how to avoid them. Some of the most common are the following:
Head-on Motorcycle Collisions
This consists of when two motorcycles crash against each other in opposite directions. Head-on collisions are one of the most dangerous accidents, as they can directly impact the biker's body and make them fall from their bike.
Left-Turn Accidents
It is common for cars to hit motorcyclists at a left turn because motorcycles are way smaller and faster than other vehicles.
These accidents involve a vehicle taking a left turn and colliding against a motorcycle going straight on the road.
Lane-Switching Motorcycle Accidents
Finally, lane-switching accidents are the last type of Brookhaven motorcycle crash that can lead to a personal injury case. This happens when vehicles fail to see the motorcycle before changing lanes and crash directly into it.
Other Brookhaven Practice Areas
Contact The Law Office of Carl Maltese
A motorcycle crash can have devastating consequences for everyone involved, but with the right legal team, bikers have nothing to worry about. That's why here at the Law Office of Carl Maltese, we have a team of professionals ready to guide victims during these difficult times.
In order to get a free consultation with one of these experts, call us at (631) 857-3703.