Not only can motorcycle accidents be financially devastating and leave you without a vehicle, they can also leave victims with serious or fatal injuries. Since motorcycles offer riders far less protection than traditional passenger vehicles, they are more likely to suffer the worst outcomes in a crash. Add that to the fact that many other motorists on the road are careless or intentionally aggressive towards motorcyclists, and you have an environment where motorcycle accidents are almost inevitable.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Gulfport, MS, the team at Reeves & Mestayer is here for you. Call us at 228-374-5151 to set up a consultation now.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
While you cannot figure out the exact cause of your motorcycle accident without analyzing the evidence, the vast majority of accidents come down to human error, either on the part of the motorcyclist or the other driver. Some of the most commonly reported causes of motorcycle collisions include:
- Failure to check blind spot—this is particularly common for drivers, as they may check for other cars in their blind spot but not notice a motorcycle there
- Following too closely—again, this is common for drivers, as they forget that motorcyclists are at much greater risk in a rear-end crash than people in passenger vehicles
- Distracted driving or riding
- Riding or driving while fatigued
- Driver or rider impairment
- Moving in and out of lanes too quickly
- Failing to check the intersection for motorcyclists before initiating a turn
- Failure to yield right of way
- Intentional aggressive driving around motorcyclists
As you can see, quite a few of these causes come from drivers’ behavior. While most motorcyclists are careful and attentive of the people around them while riding, many drivers still believe that motorcyclists have no place on the road. This misguided belief may lead drivers to be less careful around bikers, intentionally irritate or inconvenience them, or even put them in danger.
Injuries Sustained in Gulfport, MS Motorcycle Crashes
Injuries vary, depending on the severity of the accident, its location, and how fast both parties were moving. The injuries you sustain largely determine the value of your claim. Commonly reported injuries in Gulfport, MS include:
- Traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are among the most frightening and unpredictable of all motorcycle crash injuries. They can go away on their own or require lifelong care, possibly leaving riders in a vegetative state. While TBIs can affect any injured motorcyclist, they are particularly common among those who are un-helmeted during their crashes.
- Road rash and abrasions. Road rash can cause serious injuries when a motorcyclist is thrown from their bike, especially if the crash happened at a high speed. While mild cases of road rash may heal with antibiotic cream and rest, others may expose bikers to systemic infections that risk their lives.
- Bone breaks. Fractures are extremely common in motorcycle crashes. In particular, broken leg bones are often reported. Wrists and arm fractures often occur when a biker tries to break their fall.
- Internal injuries. Internal injuries include damage to your internal organs. Internal injuries can be particularly dangerous if they include internal bleeding, since internal bleeding may not be immediately visible. Internal bleeding can quickly become fatal without medical intervention.
- Spinal cord damage. Injuries affecting the spinal cord often lead to partial or total paralysis. The location of the injury determines which parts of the body are affected.
Fighting for Compensation
After a motorcycle accident, time is of the essence if you want full and fair compensation. You need substantial evidence to back up your claim, and if you don’t get certain types of evidence right away, you won’t be able to in the future.
That’s why it’s important to take photos of the crash site and get video footage of the scene if possible. You should also get contact information from any witnesses who stop to help. Additionally, keep the clothes and boots you were riding in.
Because motorcycle accidents can cause such significant bodily harm and property damage, you may be entitled to several types of compensation, including:
- Medical bills. This includes ambulance transportation, surgical fees, medication costs, follow up appointments, physical therapy, and any other costs associated with your treatment.
- Future medical expenses. If your accident was serious enough to cause permanent or long-term damage, you may need ongoing care. If this is the case, push to have your settlement include compensation for future medical costs.
- Lost wages and future income. Serious accidents can be devastating to your career. Whether you have to spend a week or months away from work, you should be compensated for the income lost during that time. If the accident permanently damages your ability to work, you may also be entitled to money for lost future wages.
- Property damage. Don’t forget to account for the loss of your motorcycle or the money needed to repair it.
- Pain and suffering. The amount you get for pain and suffering is often decided by your medical bills and the severity of your injuries.
How the Team at Reeves & Mestayer Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may have a long road to recovery ahead of you. You don’t need to handle your own legal battle on top of that. Our team has substantial experience with motorcycle accident cases, and we know about the prejudice against bikers. We fight aggressively on behalf of each and every client to get them the compensation they are due.
We begin by getting a full understanding of what caused your accident and how it affected you. We back up our claims with evidence and a clear timeline of events. Once we have a good idea of how much your claim is worth, we take our evidence to the insurance company and begin negotiating. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible and protect themselves from lawsuits. Our goal is to get you what you deserve. If necessary, we will take your case to court to make sure you are treated fairly.
Don’t wait any longer to start fighting for what you’re owed. Schedule a consultation now by calling us at 228-374-5151 or reaching out to us online.
