If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Napoleon, Ohio that was not your fault, you are likely facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, lost wages, and financial stress. You deserve fair compensation to recover both physically and financially. Insurance companies often attempt to prey on victim vulnerability by offering a quick, low settlement. Many victims are desperate and feel like any settlement is better than none. To make sure you get fair compensation that covers your damages, you need an experienced Napoleon, Ohio motorcycle accident attorney on your side to negotiate on your behalf.

What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

Your first priority after a motorcycle accident is to get proper medical attention. The injuries faced in a motorcycle accident are often severe, and getting these taken care of right away is essential to a full recovery.

Common Injuries Faced After a Motorcycle Accident

When you are riding a motorcycle, more of your body is exposed, even if you are wearing protective gear. While the right gear can help you avoid the worst-case scenarios, very few bikers escape a motorcycle accident unharmed. The most common injuries are soft tissue injuries, such as strains, sprains, whiplash, bruises, lacerations, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries.

Injured man with neck brace in Napoleon OhioBrain injuries from a motorcycle accident can range from minor concussions to life-threatening damage, and often present with headaches, memory loss, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and sensory issues. If the spinal cord is injured, victims can experience full or partial paralysis. In addition to physical injuries, many motorcycle accident victims also face psychological damages. While some stress and anxiety is normal, many motorcycle accident victims experience mental health issues that are long-lasting and can cause significant challenges. It is not uncommon for the victim of a motorcycle accident to face PTSD, depression, or severe anxiety that limits their ability to do normal everyday things. This is why it is so important for accident victims to not only get immediate medical attention and treatment after an accident, but to follow up until a full recovery is reached.

What Should a Motorcycle Accident Settlement Include?

There are many factors that go into determining a settlement amount following a motorcycle accident. All medical bills and treatments, both initial and ongoing, can be factored into your total compensation. It’s recommended that motorcycle accident victims keep track of all the documentation from medical treatments including estimates of what continuing therapies, medications, and treatments will look like in the future.

Your settlement can also include compensation for lost earnings, both present and future. Long-term injuries do not just impact your earning potential now, but can make a big difference in your earning potential in the months and years following recovery.

Documenting the loss of income from missed work can be easy to verify with statements from an employer, but calculating the loss of future earnings can be more complicated. A settlement should always include full compensation for property damage, and most settlements should include compensation for pain and suffering as well as reduced quality of life. As you can imagine, some of these damages can be difficult to calculate. Having an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to help you navigate the legal process is important.

Do I Need to Hire an Attorney if the Accident is Covered by Insurance?

You have insurance for situations like this. In theory, an accident for which you are not at fault should be covered by the insurance company of the at-fault driver. In the case where the driver at fault has insufficient, or worse, no coverage, your uninsured motorist coverage should be available. However, simply having insurance, even when fault has been easily determined, doesn’t always mean you will be offered a fair settlement. In fact, many, if not most, insurance companies will intentionally offer a low initial settlement, hoping that you are feeling vulnerable, stressed, and confused enough that you will accept the offer without negotiation. Some insurance companies may even imply that if you turn down their initial offer or attempt to negotiate that you will get no settlement at all, and as a victim facing significant medical bills and property damage, this can influence you into making a poor decision. Having a skilled and experienced attorney to negotiate on your behalf will get you a more comprehensive settlement that you would likely be able to get on your own, making the investment in an attorney well worth it.

How Do I Choose a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Napoleon, Ohio?

Choosing the right motorcycle accident lawyer in Napoleon, Ohio can be overwhelming, especially when you are focused on recovering from your injuries. The most important thing to consider is an attorney who is dedicated to giving their clients the attention they need for their specific situations. Look for a local attorney who understands the dangers of the local roadways, the local insurance companies, and has experience in handling similar cases. Most attorneys offer a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case and suggest some options. During this consultation you can ask about success rates and settlement offers in cases similar to yours, what the attorney’s plan for moving forward is, and a clear and transparent explanation of what you can expect in costs and fees. Most attorneys work on contingency and take their fee as a percentage of your final settlement. An attorney can typically get you a much higher settlement than you can get on your own making this a worthwhile investment, but it is important to understand up front how this will work for you financially. With our Fair & Square Fee Guarantee, we promise that our attorney fees will never exceed your net recovery once your case is resolved.

A motorcycle accident doesn’t have to destroy you. While the initial recovery and financial strain can be hard, having an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Napoleon, Ohio can help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Contact Arthur Law Firm right away (419) 782-9881 for a free consultation.