Riding motorcycles can be very enjoyable and avid riders love the freedom of the open road. However, motorcycle crashes can happen without warning and impact the rest of your life. An unexpected collision with a car could leave you with serious injuries and years of expensive bills.

After a traumatic and painful accident, you deserve the space and peace to focus on recovering. The last thing you want to do is deal with aggressive insurance companies and complicated legal processes. If a careless driver is responsible for the crash, you might benefit from speaking with a personal injury attorney. An experienced Wausau motorcycle accident lawyer could help you begin pursuing monetary damages through a civil claim.

The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

When passenger car drivers and motorcyclists pay attention to their surroundings, they can usually avoid unnecessary crashes. Unfortunately, people in cars are often in a rush or driving aggressively, which means that wrecks happen regularly. Some of the most frequent causes of motorbike crashes include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Turning left without noticing a motorcycle
  • Speeding or reckless driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Changing lanes without checking for a motorcyclist

Even if a motorcyclist is highly experienced and knows how to ride safely, they are still at risk of being struck by a careless driver. Fortunately, a skilled attorney in Wausau can assess a motorcycle accident to determine whether it was caused by a driver’s negligence.

Injuries Associated with Motorcycle Crashes

Unfortunately, motorcycles do not offer much protection from the impact of a collision. This means that accidents often result in serious injuries. Some of the most common ways that motorcycle riders get hurt include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

When a motorcyclist suffers a sudden or penetrating blow to the head, they might be left with a traumatic brain injury even if they were wearing a helmet. This commonly happens when the impact throws a rider from their bike. Severe head damage can lead to cognitive disabilities, memory loss problems, coma, or death.

Internal Organ Damage

If a motorbike rider forcefully crashes into the ground or another solid object, they might suffer internal organ damage. Common examples of internal organ damages include collapsed lungs or internal bleeding, and either of these injuries could be difficult to notice at first.

Severe Spinal Cord Injuries

If an object strikes the neck or back of a motorcyclist, the blow can damage or cut through the spinal cord and leave the motorcyclist with partial or complete paralysis. These injuries are long-term, frightening, and expensive to treat.

A hardworking lawyer in Wausau understands the severity of these injuries and could help the victim of a motorcycle accident collect the compensation they need to fully recover.

Available Compensation in Motorcycle Accident Cases

If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible for compensation for:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Long-term care, rehabilitation and therapy
  • Lost income
  • Equipment required to accommodate disability
  • Property damage to your motorcycle and gear
  • Disability, disfigurement, physical and emotional pain and suffering

In order to help you collect these monetary damages, a legal representative could:

  • Investigate the accident — obtain police reports, witness statements, and citations; accident scene photos; personal and property damage photos
  • Collect all relevant medical records — records of care, medical bills, therapy, mileage related to medical visits
  • Confirm insurance coverage, policy limits and determine your rights under that coverage
  • Verify wage loss and time off from work
  • Communicate with insurance companies

How Long do Motorcyclists Have to File an Accident Claim?

Wisconsin Legislature § 346.70 says that a plaintiff usually has three years to submit a motorcycle accident claim after being injured by a negligent driver. The only exception would be when a rider did not immediately recognize that they were hurt. If this happens, a plaintiff must typically submit their claim within three years of discovering that they are harmed.

If the injured party fails to submit their claim before this statute of limitations expires, they will likely lose their opportunity to collect monetary damages. A skilled attorney in Wausau could help someone injured in a motorcycle accident file their claim on time, to avoid complications and preserve the right to collect financial compensation.

Speak with a Wausau Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Even though riding a motorcycle offers a sense of excitement, an accident could seriously harm you and change the course of your life. If you were hit by a reckless driver, you are likely confused about what to do next. Thankfully, a legal representative could analyze the accident scene and offer personalized support. A Wausau motorcycle accident lawyer could answer all your questions, address any concerns, and help you get back on your feet. Contact the office today to get started on your case.

Contact a Wausau Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you are recovering from an injury, you need to focus on regaining your health. You should not have to negotiate with stubborn insurance companies or compromise with a defendant.

A Wausau personal injury lawyer could lessen the stress and complications associated with collecting compensation, allowing you to recover fully. Call today to learn more about your options.

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