Most motorcyclists understand their risk of suffering severe injuries in an accident and do everything they can to keep themselves safe on the road. Many motorists, however, fail to take necessary precautions when they’re driving near motorcycles or simply fail to look for motorcycles in traffic.
A motorcycle is no match for a car or truck in an accident. When a rider suffers serious injuries in a crash caused by a negligent driver, they have a right to seek compensation for their losses.
With 25 years of experience helping injured accident victims, Demas Law Group can help you pursue financial recovery and justice after you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash that wasn’t your fault. We understand the stress and anxiety that accident injuries cause you. That’s why we strive to eliminate the uncertainty that may come with pursuing a legal claim.
When you choose us to help you with your case, you can expect to have direct contact with the attorney handling your case and won’t be passed off to a paralegal or “case manager.”
Learn more about how a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney from Demas Law Group can help you pursue fair and full compensation for your injuries. Contact our firm today for a free initial case evaluation. We’re ready to begin.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Examples of some of the most common injuries suffered by riders in motorcycle accidents include:
- Whiplash, an injury that causes chronic debilitating pain, caused when the head and neck violently jerk back and forth in a vehicle collision.
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia.
- Brain injuries, such as concussions, and more severe injuries like brain bleed or coma.
- Death, as motorcycle accidents can easily result in fatal injuries for a rider. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, per vehicle miles traveled, a motorcyclist is approximately 29 times more likely than a passenger car occupant to be killed in a crash.
- Back injuries, particularly ruptured or herniated discs in the cervical or lumbar spine that can cause severe and chronic pain that radiates from the back into the arms or legs.
- Joint injuries, including tendon strains, ligament sprains, or tears of soft tissues or muscles. These injuries often occur due to hyperextension or dislocation during an accident.
- Road rash, which refers to the abrasions and burns that are caused when a rider is thrown from their motorcycle and contacts or slides across the road surface or ground.
- Burns, which can be caused when a rider’s body comes into contact with hot engine parts or spilled hot liquids if their bike tips over.
- Bone fractures, especially broken bones in the arms and legs, rib fractures, or skull fractures.
- Disfigurement, which can result from scars, burns, or road rash that doesn’t properly heal, or from more grievous injuries like an amputation.
Can I Get Compensation for My Injuries?
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to receive compensation for losses and expenses you incur due to your injuries. Compensation in a motorcycle accident claim may be provided for:
- Medical expenses, such as ER or surgical bills, costs of other medical procedures, physical and occupational therapy, pain or other prescription medication, out-of-pocket costs for purchases such as crutches or wheelchairs, and even transportation costs to and from appointments and procedures.
- Long-term care expenses for permanent disabilities, such as home health services or home renovations such as installing ramps and railings to accommodate disabilities.
- Lost income and future earnings if you miss work while recovering from injuries or suffer disabilities that prevent you from going back to your old job.
- Physical pain and suffering caused by your injuries and their treatment.
- Emotional or mental distress from the lost quality of life due to physical disfigurement or disabilities.
- Loss of consortium or companionship, which may compensate your spouse or other household family members for the loss of your society and affection due to your injuries.
In rare cases involving egregious or shocking conduct by the party or parties at fault for the accident and your injuries, you may also receive an award of punitive damages. Punitive damages don’t compensate you for a loss but instead punish the at-fault party for their misconduct.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
When you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, you should remember to take the following steps to help protect your rights and options for pursuing compensation from the parties responsible for the crash:
- See a doctor as soon as possible after the crash for a physical exam to check for all the injuries you may have sustained in the accident.
- Always follow the treatment recommendations and instructions you receive from your medical providers.
- Save copies of bills and invoices you receive for any expenses related to the accident.
- Keep a journal on how your injuries impact your daily life or ability to work, including the pain and distress they may cause you.
- Don’t discuss details of the accident with family and friends or post about it on social media while you’re still undergoing treatment for the injuries you suffered in the accident. Insurance companies often monitor accident victims’ social media accounts for evidence they can use to hurt the victim’s credibility in their claim.
- Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney about your rights to financial compensation for your injuries and what actions you should be taking to secure a recovery from those at fault for the crash.
Contact a Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
At Demas Law Group, we understand how a serious motorcycle accident can upend your life, and we are committed to helping you move forward. We believe that working closely with our clients helps us build the strongest case possible for them. We will be by your side through every step of the case to guide you and keep you well-informed.
Contact Demas Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer. We’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to give us a call or contact us online.
