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Should I Get Medical Attention After a Minor Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accidents can be severe, but they don't always involve major injuries. So, what should you do if you have a motorcycle accident?
Most people assume that there is no need to go to the hospital if they are not severely injured in a motorcycle accident, which is often an unwise decision! You could still have internal bleeding or other serious injuries that require immediate medical attention. So, it's better to be safe than sorry!
After a motorcycle accident, our personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, advise that you should seek medical attention. Even if you don't feel injured, unseen injuries could be dangerous if left untreated.
Do you need legal advice concerning your motorcycle accident issue? If so, call our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers toll-free at (888) 424-5757.
Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents are extremely dangerous. They sometimes can be deadly. Motorcycles put riders at risk of severe injury and fatal car crashes.
According to LSRI (Illinois LSRI - Libertyville, IL Safety Research Institute), motorcycle crashes are most likely to occur at intersections.
By mapping motorcycle accidents in Illinois, the LSRI found that they tend to be more common in certain areas. These include Chicago, Aurora, Rock Island, Rockford, Moline, and Decatur. In addition, the Cook County region of Illinois is another area prone to motorcycle accidents.
These crashes also tend to occur on Tuesdays between 11 am and 1 pm. The Institute has also found that children aged 10 - 17 are most likely to be involved in motorcycle crashes, followed by 19 - 24-year-olds.
These two age groups combined account for half of all motorcycle crashes.
The major problems in a motorcycle crash are the high rate of head injury for motorcyclists, the risk of fatality compared to car accidents, and the vulnerability of bikers when sharing roads with larger vehicles.
If you’re a motorcyclist, it's imperative to protect yourself. But unfortunately, motorcycles are simply not as safe as cars because they have no seat belts and do not protect riders in the event of a crash.
If you were involved in a motorcycle crash, you should not assume that you are automatically at fault. Our top-notch lawyers can investigate how an accident occurred to secure compensation for your physical therapy, rehab, and future care.
Insurance Company for Motorcyclists
Auto insurance companies will typically pay only one-third of the medical bills and other economic damages resulting from a motorcycle accident while requiring you to pay the rest.
In addition to auto insurance companies in a motorcycle accident, the motorcycle rider may also be covered by their own health insurance company. If a motorcyclist has medical coverage through their job, that coverage should also apply after a crash.
If you fail to seek medical care promptly, the insurance company can deny your claim. The insurance companies' tactics in a motorcycle accident claim can be overwhelming. Their objective is to settle you out of court for the least amount possible.
Pursuing a personal injury case against an auto insurance company can be a difficult and drawn-out process, but it can also yield beneficial results for the injured person. The auto insurance company is responsible for paying the medical bills of the injured people until the claim is processed.
Were you or a loved one injured in a motorcycle crash? You may be entitled to compensation. Contact our experienced lawyers for legal help to recover damages for your injuries from the at-fault driver.
Why Motorcycle Insurance Is Expensive
The risk of motorcycle crashes has been known. Accident victims include not only riders but also other drivers on the road.
In addition, motorcycle fatalities have increased annually, totaling more than 5,000 deaths in 2019. As a result, deciding to purchase a motorcycle or adding one to your insurance policy has become riskier than it was just five years ago.
Motorcycle owners are now paying an average of $191 more for car insurance than they did five years earlier per six-month policy. In addition, in what has been deemed a "substantial" amount, motorcycle owners have been paying an average of 15 percent more for their car insurance plans since 2011. This significant increase from 4 to 12 percent occurred between 2015 and 2019.
Insurance companies have been citing the statistics from the highway safety authority and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that motorcycles are getting into accidents more frequently.
Motorcycle Accidents
The majority of motorcycle crashes occur on dry roads. One of the most dangerous times for a motorcyclist to be on the street is when it is raining. A motorcycle does not protect the elements, making it extremely dangerous to ride during inclement weather.
In addition, if a motorcycle crashes, the biker will likely sustain more serious injuries than a motorist because motorcycles offer less protection.
Motorcycle accidents are more likely to occur during the warmer months. Most motorcycle crashes occur between May and September.
Motorcycle riders are more likely to be injured during these warm months because they are more likely to be out on the roads. In addition, a motorist may not see a motorcycle when it is raining or at night. The lack of visibility can quickly lead to a serious accident.
Past results in motorcycle crash statistics are based on the type of motorcycle, the number of people involved in the accident, and whether passengers were present or other vehicles were involved.
Our personal injury attorneys have represented many accident victims over the years. Contact us today toll-free (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation.
What a Motorcyclist Must Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Besides the medical records, you'll need other documents such as pictures of the scene, pictures taken by bystanders at the scene, and witnesses' names. Documents could help the police reconstruct the motorcycle crash to establish the at-fault party and how the accident occurred.
The future results in a minor motorcycle crash are greatly dependent on an individual's actions immediately following the car accident.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended that riders remain at the scene of an accident to ensure they have not been injured and exchange information with other vehicle drivers involved in the crash.
Motorcycle Accident Claims
The motorcycle accident claims resulting from motorcycle crash injuries have risen in recent years. According to a report from State Farm Insurance, motorcycle-involved accidents increased by four percent from 2018 to 2019.
What Motorcycle Riders Can Do to Increase Their Chances of a Successful Claim
The first and most desirable outcome is that the motorcyclist tries to control their fall to the best of their ability, not to be left rolling around on the road.
A bystander could provide evidence of whether the other motorist involved in the accident was at fault.
The next positive factor a motorcyclist can have on their side is to have insurance that will protect them from the financial consequences of a motorcycle accident claim.
If it is proved that the other party was at fault, then the motorcyclist will claim money back for damage, lost income, and physical injury.
Measures to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents
- To limit motorcycle speed in certain areas.
- After conducting its study, NHTSA released a report that noted: "that current helmet laws are effective in preventing motorcycle-related fatalities."
To avoid common injuries in a motorcycle crash, personal injury law firms recommend riders to wear a DOT-approved helmet, leather jacket, jeans or chaps, long sleeve shirt or jacket, and a pair of sturdy ‘over the ankle’ boots.
Wearing a helmet can be lifesaving after an accident occurs, but even with a helmet, many serious injuries that occur in motorcycle crashes are head-related.
Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident
The most common injuries include lacerations on the legs, shoulder injuries from the impact of a car accident, and broken bones from being thrown from the motorcycle.
A road rash is a skin injury when a person's skin is dragged along asphalt or another rough surface. A road rash injury most commonly occurs from falling from a motorcycle as the body skids across the pavement.
Our law firm has experience helping other riders like you after accidents; we can help you, too. Contact our personal injury attorney for legal advice about your legal rights.
Injured motorcyclists may have to deal with significant emotional and economic well-being changes after the car accident.
Not all injuries are visible in a motorcycle crash. It is estimated that less than 10% of injuries from a motorcycle accident are visible.
Minor injuries following a motorcycle crash are common. However, the severity of injuries varies between individuals, and injuries such as fractures can be both painful and long-lasting.
Head Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident as Per NHTSA
Head injuries are the most common injury in motorcycle accidents. According to the NHTSA, each year in the United States, more than 6000 motorcyclists are killed and more than 1 million injured.
Head injuries can be divided into three types: e-collisions, e-precipitations, and e-happenings. The injuries are related to the head impact surfaces. Emergency medical care in motorcycle crashes involving head injuries is critical.
A personal injury attorney can offer you legal assistance in filing a personal injury claim.
Spinal Cord Injuries in a Motorcycle Crash
Spinal cord injuries in motorcycle crashes are not only life-altering for the motorcyclist, but they also result in higher medical costs than others who don't ride.
The average yearly cost of medical care for persons with SCI due to motorcycle crashes is $519,000. This figure does not even include rehab costs, which can reach more than $800,000.
UCLA Internal Injuries Statistics
According to a study from UCLA, internal injuries in motorcycle crash victims cost the United States $17 billion each year. For those under 35, these internal injuries are more common than brain or spinal cord injuries.
Whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries, such as tearing of ligaments and tendons in arms and legs, as well as injuries to the chest and abdomen, account for most of the costs.
Medical Treatment in a Minor Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle crash often leaves the driver and passenger with serious injuries. Though it may be challenging to determine whether a person should see a doctor following an accident, receiving medical treatment for personal injuries is extremely important.
Treating motorcycle accident injuries can be a precarious endeavor. Injuries from a motorcycle crash often need immediate medical attention to keep the sufferer alive and well.
Do you have a serious injury from an accident that another driver caused? If so, you may experience pain in your neck, back, or other areas of the body for days or weeks.
A medical professional can provide you with the care you deserve to help you recover.
Following the doctor's instructions will enable you to recover from a personal injury and regain good health. The sooner you see a doctor after a motorcycle accident, the better.
Reducing Complications
Adhering to the treatment plan is essential to reduce the potential for developing complications or having a less than satisfactory outcome. Your doctor and other health professionals will monitor your progress and provide you with instructions to follow at home.
You must seek medical attention immediately and keep the medical records for your personal records.
Seek medical care immediately from a doctor, even if the injury seems minor. If you are unable or unwilling to seek medical care, see if someone can immediately take you to the doctor or urgent care center.
Medical bills for motorcycle crashes are often high. Insurance may cover some of the costs, but you should know what to expect ahead of time. If you are involved in a motorcycle crash, you'll likely require medical attention in a hospital emergency room.
Ongoing treatment, including physical therapy after a motorcycle crash, can improve a rider's chances of recovering from injury.
Possible Spine Injury
Pain following a motorcycle crash is an indication of possible spine injury. The most common types of motorcycle crashes are collisions with vehicles or fixed objects, which cause upper and lower limb injuries.
Your doctor will ascertain the source of the pain by examining your spine, asking about symptoms, and conducting further tests. Pain is synonymous with motorcycle crashes, but other injuries can include disfigurement, broken bones, and even loss of limbs.
The motorcycle accident victim's complaints of pain are usually investigated more thoroughly following an accident.
Besides getting prompt medical attention, speaking to your personal injury attorney is critical to recovering compensation for your injuries.
We are passionate about the motorcycle community, and we want to help you get back on your feet following an accident. Call your personal injury attorney toll-free at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation.
Why You Should Not Delay in Seeking Medical Attention After a Motorcycle Crash
You do not have to delay before seeing a doctor following a motorcycle accident. However, some motorcycle injuries, such as broken bones or dislocations, may take days before you feel the full extent of the pain and before a doctor is required.
Delaying to seek treatment after a motorcycle accident may jeopardize your long-term recovery and ability to return to work.
If you do not receive appropriate treatment for what appeared as little pain at first, your injury can have severe complications. For example, a new study shows that delayed diagnosis of a motorcycle accident injury increases the risk of permanent paralysis.
Emergency Room Attending to Motorcycle Crash Victims
Following a motorcycle accident, it's critical to be examined in an emergency room to check for injuries and possible damage.
The emergency room doctor will advise the patient to go to the hospital or clinic where treatment for their serious injury.
Recovering Compensation From a Motorcycle Accident
There are several options that you may pursue to recover compensation. First, if another party is at fault for the accident, you may be able to pursue a claim against them with the assistance of an attorney.
Additionally, in some cases, motorcycle insurance policies may offer benefits to cover costs associated with the accident.
Steps You Should Take to Recover Compensation
First, obtain the contact information of any witnesses to the accident. In some cases, a witness has information that could benefit your recovery of compensation.
Next, take photographs and videos of the accident scene if possible that can help identify key evidence to support your claim later. It is also crucial that you treat the accident as soon as possible to ensure that you can accurately document your injuries and reduce the extent of those injuries.
Finally, keep track of all expenses related to the accident, including medical treatment and bike repair. Seeking a free consultation from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC will clarify if you can recover compensation.
Seeking Legal Advice on Whether to Get Medical Attention After a Minor Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, hiring an experienced attorney is vital.
Motorcycle accidents are often more severe than car accidents because the rider is exposed and unprotected. The injuries can be painful and life-altering.Call us today toll-free at (888) 424-5757 or fill out the online form for a free consultation!
You need someone who understands what you’re going through and knows how to get results for clients like you. When you work with our law firm, we will handle all aspects of your personal injury case so that you don't have to worry about anything but getting better while we fight for justice on your behalf.
We know how much pain you're in right now, which is why we do everything possible to make sure that no one else has to go through this again if they don't have to! Our law firm is here for you when you need them most!
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