When it comes to a collision between a motorcycle and a larger sedan, pickup truck, or SUV, the motorcyclist usually bears the brunt of the damage. Often, a motorcyclist loses their life in an accident with another vehicle. For example, a deadly multi-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 99 south of Elk Grove in Sacramento County. A collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck caused a chain reaction crash in which two other motorcycles and two additional vehicles also crashed, according to SacBee.com.

Unfortunately, accidents like the one described above occur pretty frequently. Close to 5,000 people die in motorcycle accidents each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition to the thousands of fatalities, roughly 88,000 motorcyclists are seriously injured in collisions, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Below is a step-by-step breakdown of what to do if you are involved in a severe collision with another vehicle:

• Take pictures. If you are physically able, take photos of your injuries and the accident scene. With the proliferation of smartphones, it is much easier to take accident scene photographs.
• Get medical treatment for your injuries. Do not delay getting medical treatment. Immediately after the collision, seek medical treatment at your local hospital or primary care physician. Even if you think you are fine, you may have a concussion or other “invisible” injury.
• Review your insurance policy. After the accident, take the time to review your motorcycle insurance policy, including the exclusions section. Your own coverage may come into play if the reckless driver does not have auto insurance or has insufficient coverage.
• Keep track of your medical expenses. All expenses from your collision should be documented and kept in order since they must be submitted to the insurance company to substantiate your injury claim. These documents include medical bills, prescription drug costs, insurance co-pays, etc.
• Keep a record of all accident-related documents and interactions. The more documentation you can produce to substantiate your harms and losses, the better. You should also keep track of any contacts made by the other driver’s insurance company.

Studies have shown that claimants with an attorney negotiating on their behalf recover more through a settlement or jury verdict than other claimants. According to research conducted by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), individuals with legal representation in car accident personal injury claims received 40 percent higher payouts than those without representation. Additionally, the study found that, on average, claimants with legal representation received 3.5 times the compensation of those who did not have legal representation.

In addition to recovering more money, in most cases, a significant benefit to hiring a personal injury lawyer is that your claim may need to be escalated to a lawsuit if the other driver’s insurance company refuses to offer you a fair settlement. Most injury claims are settled before the court, but settlement cannot be guaranteed. You need a Foothill Farms motorcycle accident lawyer to take your case before a jury.

The video below explains how anyone with a strong case can hire a motorcycle accident attorney.

Personal injury lawsuits are governed by a statute of limitations. This state law places an arbitrary time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including a case predicated on a motorcycle accident injury. In California, the statute of limitations for a motorcycle injury lawsuit is two years from the date of your injury. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this period, you will be barred from collecting compensation from the reckless driver.

Some exceptions from the two-year statute of limitations might either reduce or extend the timeframe for filing a lawsuit. Again, there is where the counsel of an experienced Foothill Farms motorcycle accident attorney can pay significant dividends.

A motorcycle accident can cause catastrophic injuries. In fact, many motorcyclists hit by cars, trucks, and SUVs suffer injuries that result in months, or even years, of treatment. This is why engaging a seasoned personal injury lawyer who will seek the highest compensation for you is crucial.

If you or someone you care about has suffered injury or death after a motorcycle crash, call our skilled Foothill Farms motorcycle accident attorneys at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. When you contact our law office, we will review the accident details and see how best to proceed.

^{Editor’s Note: updated 11.8.23 Image by SplitShire from Pixabay sb bw [cs 777]}