Riding a motorcycle can be fun and give you agility on the road, but it can also make you exceptionally vulnerable to serious or fatal injuries. Many motorcycle accidents happen because of the wrong actions of other drivers on the road.
If you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle crash, a Hattiesburg motorcycle accident attorney from Harris Law Firm can fight for the compensation you need to cover your losses and address your pain. We have a four-decade legacy of representing personal injury victims, and we are ready to champion your rights.
Motorcycle Injuries Are a Significant Problem
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcyclists are four times more likely to suffer injury in a crash and 24 times more likely to die than individuals in passenger vehicles. These are distressing numbers. And many of these accidents occur because other motorists are not knowledgeable about how to safely maneuver around motorcycles on the road.
Motorcyclists should be better protected on our streets and fully compensated when an accident occurs. Taking legal action after enduring motorcycle collision injuries due to another’s misconduct can help with your rehabilitation and deter others from committing common infractions that hurt motorcycle riders.
Your Rights to Legal Remedies After a Motorcycle Crash
If you can prove that someone else was negligent or engaged in misconduct that caused your crash injuries, you can recover the following types of damages in a lawsuit or insurance claim:
- Economic damages to pay you for your actual losses from the accident, such as medical expenses, property repair or replacement, and lost wages or earning capacity;
- Non-economic damages to compensate you for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of consortium; and
- Punitive damages to deter and punish the defendant when their actions that caused an accident were grossly negligent, willful, malicious, reckless, or fraudulent.
If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you can pursue wrongful death damages to pay for both financial and emotional losses you have suffered as a result of your loved one’s death.
Mississippi follows a pure contributory negligence rule. So if a court or insurance carrier finds you partially at fault for a crash, they might reduce your damages by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies try to find any way to dismiss your losses and amplify your fault in an accident so that they do not have to pay you what your case is worth. This is why seeking the advice of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Hattiesburg is one of the best ways to protect your interests in your case.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Accidents happen quickly, and losses can come rapidly, so there are many steps you need to take as soon as possible to safeguard your rights.
Seek Medical Care
The first thing you should do is visit a doctor or healthcare provider, even if your symptoms seem mild at the moment. Many accident-related conditions don’t manifest until months (and maybe years) later. By taking care of your health right away, you give yourself a better chance at a full recovery and a better idea of what losses the defendant should cover.
Contact Law Enforcement
If anyone incurs more than $250 in property damage or suffers an injury during the crash, you need to file a crash report with the police within 10 days of the accident. In most cases, you’ll do this by calling the police to come to the scene of the accident. Failure to file your report could subject you to criminal liability or pushback from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are in a position to do so safely, gather evidence at the accident scene. You (or someone you trust) should take photos or videos of the accident site (immediately after the accident), your motorcycle, any visible injuries, and any other relevant details that could help establish what happened.
Exchange Information
Collect contact, insurance, and driver’s license information from the other parties involved in the accident. You should also collect contact information from any witnesses present.
Report the Accident to the Insurance Company
Many accident issues can be settled through an insurance company claim instead of litigation, so you should submit a claim to the at-fault driver’s insurance and notify your carrier about your injuries. But before you give any statements or documents to a carrier, you should speak to a motorcycle accident attorney in Hattiesburg to make sure you are properly protected.
Contact an Experienced Hattiesburg Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A good attorney can evaluate your case, advise you on your legal rights and options, help you navigate the legal process, and make sure your claims are timely filed. Remember, every case is unique, and it’s essential to consult with a legal professional who can provide guidance based on your specific circumstances.
Gather Evidence
In a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit, you must prove the other driver’s fault and the amount of your damages. To convince a court or insurance carrier that you are entitled to compensation, you need to preserve evidence related to the accident, including medical records, repair bills, receipts, witness statements, and correspondence with insurance companies.
Timely File Your Claim
You have three years to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Mississippi. If you miss this deadline, you could be barred from claiming any compensation for your pain and losses. If you speak to an attorney right away, they can help ensure that your complaint is filed on time while you take time to heal.
Consult with Our Lawyers for Motorcycle Accidents in Hattiesburg
Harris Law Firm has been safeguarding the rights and interests of accident victims since 1981. We are experienced, aggressive, and innovative. Not only can we give you top-of-the-line legal representation, but we can also put you in touch with the best experts in other fields.
Give us a call when you are looking for an advocate who can successfully address all your legal needs. We tailor our strategies and solutions to your specific circumstances. You can call us at 662-335-4171 or reach out to us online to schedule a consultation.