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, it’s important that you take action right away to protect your rights and your health. Have a doctor examine you as soon as possible after your accident. Then contact our law firm. One of the experienced Kokomo personal injury lawyers at Vaughan & Vaughan in Kokomo 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 and their families in Howard County and throughout Indiana. When it comes to motorcycle crashes caused by other drivers, we know what evidence to look for, what questions to ask, and how to build strong legal cases designed to succeed. You can count on us.
Why do Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Kokomo?
Motorcycle accidents in Kokomo 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 a lawyer on your side who can thoroughly investigate your case. That way, you can demand the money you deserve for your medical bills, replacement income, and other accident-related expenses.
What If I am Wrongly Blamed for Causing a Kokomo Motorcycle Crash?
Even if another driver clearly caused your accident, don’t be surprised if you get blamed for causing the collision. Many motorcyclists are often found to be at fault for collisions caused by other drivers. That’s because 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 place the blame on 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 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 a lawyer who can help you explore all your legal options.
What Damages Can I Ask for After a Motorcycle Accident in Kokomo?
When you move to file a motorcycle accident claim or negotiate a settlement, 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.
Your economic motorcycle accident losses include those expenses that generate bills. That’s why it’s important to keep track of the invoices you get after your accident. Submit those invoices as evidence of economic stress after your accident, and you can hold the liable party responsible for those expenses. Examples of viable economic losses can include:
- Motorcycle repair or replacement
- Restoration of other damaged property
- Post-motorcycle accident medical bills
- 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 nature. In turn, our 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
- Mental anguish
- A loved one’s wrongful death, if applicable
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.
Indiana enacts this personal injury statute of limitations in Kokomo, IN, to keep the evidence of fault that comes before its civil judges as close to accurate as possible. The longer you wait to deliver evidence or comment on bystander testimony, the less accurate that evidence allegedly becomes.
Fortunately, you don’t have to struggle through an investigation while also contending with post-accident injuries, let alone your day-to-day responsibilities. Call on a Kokomo, IN, motorcycle accident attorney, and our team can spearhead that effort for you.
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 take a stand and demand the money you deserve for medical bills, 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.
You didn’t do anything wrong. 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 with a motorcycle accident lawyer at our law firm’s Kokomo office. We’re conveniently located on North Washington Street, a few blocks away from the Howard County Courthouse.
