Motorcycle accidents can be extremely difficult to deal with. Not only are there severe injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents, but these accidents are also handled differently than regular car accidents. Due to the injuries sustained in these accidents, it’s important to understand how you can file a personal injury claim. Continue reading to learn about questions to ask after a motorcycle accident.
Do I Need To Speak With The Insurance Company?
The other party’s insurance company will reach out shortly after an accident to secure information for their claim. Their goal is to get the best outcome for themselves and their client by gathering information that can damage the validity of your claim. Because of this, you should never speak to the other insurance company. Not only are you trying to recuperate after the crash, but you want to make sure you don’t say the wrong thing about what happened in the accident. If you are contacted by an insurance adjuster representing the other party involved, let them know that they can speak to your attorney.
Are There Different Types Of Compensation I Can Seek?
Prior to compensation being claimed, the liability of the accident needs to be established. In the State of Georgia, you can receive 3 different types of damage.
- Special Damages
Special damages include medical expenses, such as emergency room fees, hospitalization costs, medication costs, rehabilitation, physical therapy, doctors’ appointment costs, and more.
Property damage is also covered by special damages. After a motorcycle accident, the damage to your motorcycle, helmet, and other personal items will be either repairable or a total loss. According to Georgia law, property owners are entitled to the fair market value of the vehicle and personal items at the time of the accident.
Lost wages are also included in special damages. If you had to stay home from work to recover from your accident or have to miss work to go to doctor’s appointments for accident-related injuries, you are entitled to compensation to recoup your loss of income.
- General Damages
General damages cover pain and suffering claims. These claims can include mental health suffering, disfigurement, lower quality of life, loss of a loved one, physical impairment, and permanent disability. In motorcycle accident cases, the general damages are often significantly more than in a typical car accident.
- Punitive Damages
If the motorcycle accident was caused by someone committing a crime like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you could receive punitive damages as well. Punitive damages are meant to punish the offending party and are assessed against the guilty party.
Do I Need To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you throughout the insurance claim process is extremely important. Instead of trying to handle the claim with the other party’s insurance company on your own, a personal injury lawyer can take over so you can focus on recovery and getting back to normal. Finding a personal injury attorney as soon as you can is in your best interest.
Glass & Robson represents people who have suffered from a motorcycle accident and has handled numerous motorcycle accident cases on behalf of clients for nearly a decade. Our personal injury attorneys aim to fight for the compensation our clients deserve and will take your case as far as it needs to go to obtain the best possible outcome for your case. By hiring Glass & Robson, you can focus on recovery and healing while we focus on your claim and getting you all of the compensation to which you are entitled. Schedule a consultation with us today.
Sources:
https://www.la-personalinjurylaw.com/article/questions-to-ask-after-a-motorcycle-accident