Your bike is your ticket to the open road, and much more freedom than a car – but if you’ve been involved in a collision, you’ll need the help of a New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer. At Scott Vicknair, we’re ready to help you get the compensation you need. Read on to learn more about what makes a motorcycle accident case so complicated, and reach out to a seasoned personal injury attorney for a free consultation.
Every Motorcycle Accident is Dangerous
It’s simple. Cars have airbags, seatbelts, and a whole protective skeleton to keep the occupants safe. On a bike, you’re out of luck. When you experience a motorcycle accident, you may find yourself on the verge of death, all while the other people involved in your crash are stuck with minor scrapes and bruises.
This danger comes with steep medical bills, and you can’t always count on insurance to cover the cost. That’s why you need a New Orleans motorcycle accident attorney.
You Deserve Compensation
As a motorcyclist, you need to be extra aware of your surroundings. A bike requires exceptional care when you’re out for a ride, whether you’re commuting or trying to enjoy the open road. Unfortunately, there’s never a guarantee that the other people on the road are paying attention too.
There’s always the risk of some distracted driver cutting in and laying your bike down, causing serious injury and wrecking your motorcycle. In other cases, that other driver may be driving under the influence, or just plain dangerous and irresponsible. You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket because of their negligence. Instead, you should seek compensation.
Compensation Can Cover Your Medical Bills
You can’t always count on insurance to pay you what you need, when you need it. Unfortunately, many insurance companies actually stay in business by holding onto your money for as long as possible, and generating interest while you struggle to make ends meet.
The right lawyer can battle with your insurance providers on your behalf, and can also get you some much-needed money in financial damages from whoever was responsible for your accident. This compensation can go towards your medical bills and long term care (if it’s needed), and can also cover any additional fees that insurance won’t help with.
More Than One Party May be Responsible for Your Injuries
Every accident is different, and the same applies for motorcycle accidents. While you may assume that your accident was only between you and the other driver, it takes an experienced legal eye to figure out whether or not any other party was responsible. The road may have been poorly maintained, or there could have been a default in someone’s blind-spot indicator. Your motorcycle accident requires investigation, and the professionals at Scott Vicknair can help.
How to Strengthen a Motorcycle Accident Claim
If you recently got hurt in a motorcycle crash, you may want to contact a New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A lawyer from Scott Vicknair, LLC can help you file a timely claim against the negligent parties.
Here are some tips to strengthen your motorcycle accident claim.
Contact the Police
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe property damage and injuries, so it is important to call the police immediately. They will make a report of the accident when they arrive at the scene. The report may include information about the other driver’s vehicle and identity. It may also include the police officer’s opinion about the accident. Do not forget to obtain a copy of this report for your records.
Get Immediate Medical Attention
Motorcyclists do not have the protection of a vehicle, so they are much more vulnerable to injuries, like road rash, head injuries and broken bones. That is why it is essential to seek emergency medical care after your accident. A doctor should give you a physical exam and order tests if necessary. Once your injuries are diagnosed, your doctor can recommend the proper treatment. If you delay medical care, you could put your health and injury claim at risk.
Take Photos
As a New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer can confirm, photos of the motorcycle accident scene are one of the best pieces of evidence you can have. If it is possible, take several photos of the accident scene, including ones of your motorcycle, the other car, skid marks on the road and traffic signals. If you have visible injuries, remember to take photos of those too.
Avoid Repairing Your Motorcycle
If your motorcycle sustained damage during the accident, you may be anxious to get it fixed. However, if you plan on filing a motorcycle accident claim, you should avoid repairing your bike right now. A damaged bike is one of the most important pieces of evidence you have because it demonstrates the severity of the crash.
Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Instructions
After your doctor recommends a treatment for your injuries, it is important to follow his or her instructions. For instance, if your doctor has advised you to go to physical therapy, you should attend all of your appointments. Likewise, if your doctor tells you to avoid certain activities during your recovery, you should listen. If the insurance company finds out that you haven’t been listening to your doctor’s instructions, they may try to deny your claim.
Be Careful on Social Media
When you are in the middle of a motorcycle accident claim, be especially cautious on social media. The insurance company may be looking at your social media profiles to find information to use against you. For example, if you post photos of yourself participating in activities your doctor advised you against, it could hurt your claim.
Schedule a consultation with a New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer from Scott Vicknair, LLC.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle crash, you may want to contact a New Orleans lawyer as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other losses. A motorcycle accident can be a very traumatic experience. A lawyer from Scott Vicknair, LLC can help you go after the compensation you deserve.
Here are a few ways to reduce your risk of getting in a motorcycle accident.
Obey All Traffic Laws
One of the simplest ways to reduce your risk of a motorcycle accident is to follow traffic laws. While it may be tempting to ride fast on your motorcycle on a warm and sunny day, you should always obey the speed limit. Speeding can make it more difficult to react quickly to hazards, like oncoming vehicles or potholes. You also should also avoid lane splitting, running red lights and stop signs and tailgating.
Do Not Drive in Bad Weather
Motorcycle accidents occur more frequently in bad weather conditions, like rain and hail. These conditions can reduce visibility and make roads slippery, increasing the risk of a crash. That is why you should try to avoid driving in bad weather. However, if you absolutely can’t avoid riding in bad weather, slow down your speed and pay extra careful attention to your surroundings.
Taking a Motorcycle Safety Course
Operating a motorcycle is not the same as operating a vehicle. That is why a New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer may advise you to take a motorcycle safety course. During the course, an instructor will teach you how to properly ride a motorcycle and avoid hazards.
Do not Assume That Other Drivers Can See You
Motorcycles are much smaller than vehicles, so they are more difficult to see. That is why you should never assume that other drivers will see you. Try to stay out of drivers’ blind spots and always pay attention to your surroundings. You may also want to wear bright clothes to make yourself more visible to drivers.
Avoid Distractions
Just like other motorists, motorcyclists can give into distractions, such as talking on a cellphone and listening to music. Distractions can take your eyes and attention off the road ahead, increasing the risk of an accident. That is why you should always avoid distractions when behind a motorcycle. Distractions are not worth getting into an accident. Always concentrate on the road ahead.
Wear a Helmet
Before you get on a motorcycle, you should put on a helmet. Although wearing a helmet might not be able to avoid an accident, it can help reduce the risk of life-threatening head injuries. Head injuries are one of the most common injuries in motorcycle accidents and can cause long-term complications.
If you want to file a motorcycle accident claim, you should schedule a consultation with a New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer from Scott Vicknair, LLC to talk about your case in detail.
Contact a New Orleans Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Motorcycle riders place their lives in the hands of other motorists every time they get on the road. Motorcycles have all of the same rights as any other vehicle, and it is the responsibility of every driver to recognize them. It is no excuse when drivers say that they simply did not see the motorcycle. Injuries are no less severe in motorcycle accidents, and your right to seek compensation for losses is not diminished.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident that occurred because of another driver’s negligence, it is important that you seek the advice of a reliable New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer. Here at Scott Vicknair, LLC, we have a substantial background in handling a variety of motorcycle accident claims.
At Scott Vicknair, we’re committed to compensation. If you were involved in a collision while out on your motorcycle, reach out to us today and see how we can help.
