Motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles can result in serious injuries. Because motorcyclists don’t have seatbelts or protection other than a helmet, many motorcyclists sustain severe injuries in bad motorcycle accidents.
If your accident was caused by another driver, take action right away to protect your rights and your health. Seek medical care immediately, then contact our law firm. Our Kokomo personal injury lawyers at Vaughan & Vaughan can help you every step of the way.
Founded in 1913, our law firm has more than a century of experience standing up for the rights of injury victims throughout Indiana. Contact the Kokomo personal injury lawyers of Vaughan and Vaughan today.
What Are My Options After My Motorcycle Accident in Kokomo, IN?
Each motorcycle accident often has its own unique characteristics. In many cases, motorcyclists have several options available to them, particularly when it comes to obtaining the financial compensation they need and deserve for their accident expenses. Such options often include:
- Accept a settlement offer: The at-fault driver’s insurance company may make an offer soon after your accident to settle your case. While it may be tempting to accept their offer, many insurance companies often make lowball offers that do not cover all accident expenses.
- Negotiate a better offer: If you believe you deserve more money for your motorcycle accident, your lawyer can try to negotiate a better settlement offer with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- File a lawsuit: In certain cases, the driver’s insurance company might deny your accident claim or say you were somehow at fault. When this happens, filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver’s insurance company may be the best way to demand the money you deserve.
- Appeal your case: If your lawsuit is unsuccessful in court, you have the right to appeal your case to a higher court.
Don’t underestimate the complexity of your motorcycle accident. Make sure you talk to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Kokomo who can help you explore all your legal options.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
What Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Claim
When you move to file a motorcycle accident claim to hold the liable party accountable you need to know what the total possible value of your case may be. Our team can help you find the sum of your economic and non-economic losses before you take your case to court.
Examples of economic losses can include:
- Medical expenses related to the crash
- Property damage to repair or replace your bike
- Post-motorcycle accident medical bills
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- At-home aids or assistance
A motorcycle accident’s non–economic losses do not generate as obvious of a paper trail. These losses are often emotional or mental. In turn, our experienced attorneys rely on state precedent and related multipliers to establish their value. In the wake of a motorcycle accident, you may have the right to request non-economic damages to cover your:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
There is no fee
unless you win
When Do I Need to Bring a Motorcycle Accident Claim Forward?
Indiana Code section 34-11-2-4, or the state’s statute of limitations, bars you from legal action if you try to file a civil complaint more than two years after your initial accident.
Fortunately, you don’t have to struggle through an investigation while also contending with physical injuries, let alone your day-to-day responsibilities. Call a motorcycle accident attorney in Kokomo, IN, and our team can spearhead that effort for you.
What If I am Wrongly Blamed for Causing a Motorcycle Crash?
Many motorcyclists are found to be at fault for collisions caused by other drivers. Some people believe all motorcyclists are risk-takers who don’t respect the rules of the road. Unfortunately, insurance companies often agree with them and blame innocent motorcyclists.
We know the truth. We know that most motorcyclists are the victims in such cases. It’s other drivers behaving recklessly on the road that cause accidents. So what should you do if this happens to you? What if you are wrongly blamed for a crash caused by another driver?
Hire our law firm to handle your case. Our lawyers can investigate your motorcycle accident and find the evidence you need to build a strong legal case. We can review your official Indiana Officer’s Standard Crash Report, track down witnesses if possible, and consult with accident reconstruction experts if necessary.
What Are Some Common Injuries Claimed In Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents can result in severe and debilitating injuries due to the lack of protection and exposure to the force of impact. Here are some common injuries that are frequently claimed in motorcycle accident cases:
- Head and Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), such as concussions, contusions, and hemorrhages, are common in motorcycle accidents, even when wearing a helmet. These injuries can lead to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The violent force of a motorcycle accident can cause spinal cord injuries, including partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and loss of mobility.
- Bone Fractures: Broken bones, particularly in the legs, arms, ribs, and pelvis, are prevalent in motorcycle accidents due to the impact and potential for being thrown from the motorcycle.
- Road Rash: Road rash, or severe abrasions and skin damage, can occur when a rider’s body makes contact with the pavement during an accident. These injuries can be painful and may require skin grafts or other surgical interventions.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, such as strains, sprains, and tears, are common in motorcycle accidents and can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.
- Amputations: In severe accidents, riders may sustain traumatic amputations of limbs or extremities due to the force of impact or crushing injuries.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can cause internal injuries, such as organ damage, internal bleeding, and ruptured blood vessels, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
- Emotional Trauma: The traumatic nature of motorcycle accidents can lead to psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Motorcycle accident victims and their families can suffer long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help victims pursue fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from these injuries.
Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents caused by other drivers happen for many different reasons. In general, it’s often because drivers “don’t see” motorcyclists or do not share the road safely with motorcyclists.
Just because a driver doesn’t see a motorcyclist doesn’t mean they’re not at fault. In many cases, drivers cause motorcycle accidents due to reckless or negligent behavior, including speeding, changing lanes without warning, and not paying attention behind the wheel. In particular, many distracted drivers, including texting drivers, cause serious collisions.
Whatever the cause of your accident, make sure you have an experienced Kokomo motorcycle accident attorney on your side who can thoroughly investigate your case.
How a Lawyer at Our Firm Can Help You
We know the challenges motorcyclists injured in an accident face. That’s because we have years of experience handling such claims. When you have our law firm on your side, we can help you recover fair compensation for medical treatment, lost income, and other accident expenses. As your lawyer, we can:
- Thoroughly investigate your motorcycle accident.
- Deal directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your behalf.
- Negotiate the best possible settlement offer on your behalf.
- File a lawsuit on your behalf if your settlement offer is too low or denied.
Contact a Kokomo Motorcycle Accident Law Firm for a Free Initial Consultation
When a negligent driver causes you to become injured, you shouldn’t have to pay for another driver’s mistakes. Discover what our dedicated legal team can do for you. Contact us and schedule a free consultation.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers are paid on a contingency fee basis, so there are no fees until we recover financial compensation for you.
