Southfield Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accidents can commonly result in significant physical injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and complex fractures, due to the lack of protection afforded to motorcycle riders upon impact. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, it’s crucial to work with a Southfield motorcycle accident lawyer from Wigod & Falzon. We can recover the compensation you need to heal from any harm you’ve suffered due to another’s negligence.
At Wigod & Falzon, our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers is committed to fighting for the rights of injured motorcycle riders. We work hard to recover the compensation accident victims need and bring justice to their cases. We can prove liability in your case, collect evidence to demonstrate the extent of your damages and take on insurance company negotiations or litigation on your behalf.
Common Risks Faced by Motorcycle Riders in Southfield
Although riding motorcycles is economical, convenient, and fun, it unfortunately comes with a variety of disks. The complex intersections and busy roads in Southfield put riders at serious risks, including the following:
- Hazards on the road. Conditions on the road, such as random debris, occasional potholes, and roads that are poorly maintained, significantly threaten motorcycle riders, who have a smaller, less stabilized vehicle that can easily be thrown off course.
- Distracted driving. Drivers who are responding to texts, engaged in social media, or talking to other passengers can commonly miss seeing motorcycles—especially if they are not adequately checking their blind spots or rearview mirrors.
- Aggressive driving. Aggressive driving behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, or swerving through lanes, put everyone on the road at risk, especially motorcycle riders.
- Left-turn accidents. Many motorcycle crashes occur when drivers are taking a left turn and fail to see an oncoming motorcycle. This can lead to significant injuries and damages.
By understanding the risks involved with motorcycle riding, motorcyclists can take adequate measures to ensure their safety and prevent accidents from happening. However, these measures are not always sufficient, and accidents can still happen. In such cases, adequately identifying the causes of the crash is crucial for proving liability and holding negligent parties accountable in a personal injury case.
Injuries Commonly Faced by Motorcyclists After a Crash
When compared to individuals driving other types of vehicles, like cars or trucks, motorcyclists are vulnerable to significant injuries due to the lack of structural protection. Therefore, even a low-impact crash can cause permanent or even life-threatening injuries. Injuries commonly faced by motorcyclists in a crash include the following:
- Road rash. Motorcyclists who were thrown from their bikes and skid across the pavement can experience significant abrasions. If not adequately or immediately treated, these can lead to permanent scarring and infections.
- Broken bones and fractures. Motorcyclists often suffer fractures or broken bones, some of which may require multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation to recover from. This can be due to an impact with the road or other vehicles. It can also result from crushing injuries.
- Internal injuries. Internal injuries can be significantly life-threatening, as such conditions are not always directly apparent. This underscores the importance of seeing a medical professional after a crash. They can make sure motorcycle accident victims have not suffered any injuries that are not initially apparent.
- Amputations. Although rare, amputations can occur after a motorcycle accident. This happens in extreme cases where the injury is so severe that the limb may need to be amputated. In even more extreme events, the limb is immediately amputated upon impact.
- Traumatic brain injuries. Even if the motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, they can suffer a significant impact on the brain. This can decrease their memory capacity as well as their cognitive or motor functionality.
- Spinal cord injuries. Crushing or other injuries to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis, effectively changing the motorcycle accident victim’s life forever.
What to Do After You’ve Been in a Motorcycle Accident
If you or a loved one is suffering in the aftermath of a motorcycle crash, you can take certain steps to protect your rights and interests. Consider doing the following:
- Get to safety. Directly after a motorcycle crash, move your vehicle to the side of the road if possible, and get out of harm’s way to avoid sustaining any further damage or injury. For example, if there is any oncoming traffic, be sure to move out of the way before checking for injuries or calling law enforcement.
- Call the police. If you or others around you have sustained significant medical injuries, inform law enforcement so they can send for adequate medical personnel. After the police arrive on the scene, avoid admitting any fault or placing blame. Provide them with your basic contact and driver’s information as requested, and ask for a copy of the generated police report. This will be crucial for your claim later.
- Gather information. Get the contact information of all the other parties involved, along with their driving and insurance details. If any witnesses were present at the site, get their information as well, and ask them if they would be willing to make a statement. Witness statements can be a crucial foundation for any personal injury claim involving motorcycle accidents.
- Collect evidence on the scene. Take note of the individuals involved, the timing of your accident, the location, and the conditions and circumstances that led to your crash. Although this may seem redundant and unnecessary, the trauma of motorcycle accidents can cause individuals to lose their memory of the details associated with the accident if it is emotionally scarring. Take photos and videos of everything.
- See a doctor. Even if you may not have suffered any injuries, it is crucial to work with a medical professional. They can make sure you have not sustained any underlying injuries and monitor your case to see if your condition is improving. They can also document your injuries or conditions, which is crucial when trying to recover compensation for medical expenses.
- Reach out to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Get in touch with a Southfield motorcycle accident attorney as soon as you can. They can go over the details of your case and evaluate your legal options.
FAQs
Q: What Compensation Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan?
A: The compensation you could recover after a motorcycle accident in Michigan can address a variety of damages. Non-economic damages include physical suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Economic damages include property damages, medical expenses, lost earning potential, lost income and benefits, and the cost of long-term rehabilitation.
Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Southfield?
A: how long you have to file for a motorcycle accident claim in Southfield, and the surrounding areas in Michigan, is typically three years from the date the accident happens. This is the general statute of limitations for personal injury accidents. Each case, however, could have unique deadlines, depending on the specific details of each situation. Therefore, it’s crucial to reach out to an experienced attorney who can handle your particular deadlines.
Q: Why Are Motorcycle Accidents Often More Severe Than Car Accidents?
A: Motorcycle accidents are commonly more severe than car accidents due to the lack of protection that motorcycle riders have. Therefore, upon impact, motorcycle riders tend to suffer more significant physical injuries, ranging from fractures to traumatic brain injury. These significant damages and injuries can increase the complexities and stakes of a personal injury claim.
Q: How Can a Southfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help With My Case?
A: A Southfield motorcycle accident lawyer can assist you with your case by:
- Looking into what caused the accident
- Collecting crucial evidence related to your case, which can show the liability of the other party
- Fully documenting the extent of all your economic and non-economic damages
They can negotiate on your behalf with insurers to obtain a just and fair settlement. If stakeholders are not willing to cooperate, your attorney can pursue litigation to get the compensation you need.
Q: What Evidence Is Important in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
A: What evidence is important in a motorcycle accident case depends on the unique situation at hand. However, it typically includes:
- Medical reports
- Records from law enforcement
- Video footage of the scene of the accident
- Traffic camera footage
- Statements from witnesses
- Analysis from experts, such as accident reconstructionists
A seasoned motorcycle accident attorney can collect and analyze this evidence to fortify your case.
Secure Strong Legal Representation With a Skilled Southfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you have been significantly harmed in a motorcycle accident in Southfield or the surrounding areas, you do not have to navigate the process of pursuing compensation alone. Motorcycle accident victims commonly suffer significant emotional and physical damages, requiring the experience of a knowledgeable attorney. They can document these losses and fight for compensation.
An empathetic motorcycle accident attorney from Wigod & Falzon can start representing your case today. Reach out to us to learn more about the support we can provide.