There’s just something about riding a motorcycle that no other vehicle can seem to match – a feeling of freedom. The speed. The wind. The excitement.
Anyone who rides a bike knows exactly that, and they know why they keep coming back for more. But riding a motorcycle does come with certain dangers.
When compared to cars, they often have far less protection; after all, there’s nothing much there to cushion your fall or cushion the impact of a collision. Motorcycles are fun for a lot of people; there is no doubt about that, but they are a vehicle that needs to be taken seriously. Yet, when you are riding your bike on the road, it is easy to let yourself go. Sometimes, you lose your focus even for a little while.
That is why motorcycle riders are far more vulnerable to severe injuries; that, coupled with limited protection, unlike cars, which have airbags, steel frames, and a lot of systems in play that protect against crashes.
There are a lot of things that can go wrong.
Sometimes the driver’s fault and sometimes not. Things like failing to check blind spots can lead to an unfortunate accident. Unsafe lane changes are particularly dangerous. As mentioned, distracted or impaired driving is a big factor. Or general speeding and reckless driving.
Sometimes, none of the drivers can be at fault in case of poor road conditions or sometimes hazards that are left from unfinished or not properly secured construction. It’s because of that a layer of extra safety needs to be followed in order to avoid accidents that sometimes can have devastating effects.
We’ll take a look at the causes, aftermath, and how to deal with those accidents in more detail in the following text.
What Are The Most Common Injuries Following Motorcycle Accidents
Some motorcycle crashes end up in scratches and bruises, but oftentimes people involved in these accidents don’t get off so easily. Sometimes, serious injury and trauma are parts of the aftermath. These injuries are no joke and may require long periods of medical care, rehabilitation, and time away from work. And even then, it’s possible that they won’t fully heal. Aftereffects may remain.
Some of the most common injuries are:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Road rash and severe skin damage
- Internal organ injuries
- Neck and back injuries
It is easy to underestimate the time of recovery. What you think will “go away” in a couple of days ends up being a problem for multiple months. And every medical problem comes with the issue of expenses. Medical treatment isn’t cheap.
This effectively turns one problem into two.
Liability after the fact
Whenever an accident happens, it is important to determine who is at fault. Insurance companies take extra care when investigating claims and looking at who will pay what.
When accidents happen, the investigation takes into account:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera footage
- Accident reconstruction analysis
- Medical documentation
- Expert testimony
But even after investigation, there is a sort of prejudice against motorcycles when it comes to accidents. It is not unheard of that insurance companies will try to shift the blame to them. There is a certain stereotyping involved; bike riders can face unfair generalization that they ride aggressively and recklessly.
Fair or not to the driver involved in the accident, these assumptions still influence how insurance negotiations and settlement offers are given. There are a lot of hoops to go through here.
So no matter where you are, whether it’s LA, New York, Chicago, Boston, etc., it’s important to follow up with legal advice if such an accident occurs in order to get the best outcome possible. There are a lot of nuances in the law after all. For example, in Illinois, unlike states such as California or New York, drivers over 18 can legally ride without a helmet.
So if you get in an accident in Chicago, it is recommended to find a qualified and reputable Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer who specializes in these types of cases, like the ones working at Rosenfeld Injury Law.
What to do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident
Hopefully, you won’t end up in one, but if you ever find yourself in a motorcycle accident, then do make sure to follow these steps (in this particular order):
Seek Medical Attention
The first thing to do is to make sure you’re doing well physically. Your health should always come first. Even if injuries seem minor, you can never actually know or be sure if they are.
There could be internal injuries that aren’t apparent at the moment. There could be heavily strained joints that may start to hurt only hours or days after the incident took place. There could be a concussion or whiplash.
Lots of things could be wrong, even though it might not seem that way right at this very moment.
Call Law Enforcement
Regardless of how minor you may think the situation is. If there was a collision involved, there might be long-term damage.
Think about it – you’re pumped with adrenaline and likely confused. Don’t leave your health in the hands of words and promises. If there’s going to be any case for or against you and/or any medical intervention, then you need to call law enforcement – this can make or break a case.
This is because a police report creates an official record of the accident. This is invaluable evidence later when the matter goes to court.
Document the Scene
If possible, take photos of vehicles, road conditions, injuries, and surrounding traffic signs.
You never know if that will help. Of course, do this only if no one requires immediate help. Pictures are great, but videos are better and probably easier to do. Video consists of pictures, so you’re covered there, but it also records audio, which might come in handy.
Plus, with video, you might get a better angle or shot of what has happened, while with the pictures, you have to work with what you have, with little room for maneuvering.
Avoid Admitting Fault
Statements made at the scene (regardless of how innocent or friendly they may seem) can be used against you – plain and simple.
Sometimes it’s better just not to say anything since accidents can be traumatic and trauma can affect a person’s state of mind. The important thing here is NOT to admit to anything.
Think about it – you’re confused/dazed and susceptible to various things. The other person (who’s actually at fault) might be trying to talk you out of suing, or calling the police, or might even be trying to get you to admit it’s your fault somehow.
While it’s best not to communicate with the other party, if you do, be careful about what you’re saying because it might be used against you at a later period.
Conclusion
Motorcycle accidents are a serious matter that can leave physical, emotional, and financial consequences.
Consequences that can be long-lasting and life-altering.
Both early action in a medical and legal sense can alleviate those issues and minimize the damage. It is also important to note that a part of taking early action is documenting what happened.
If you or someone you know ever finds themselves in such an unfortunate circumstance, be sure to seek professional guidance.