Can I Sue If I’ve Been in a Motorcycle Accident in Providence, RI?

Motorcycles are one of the great American traditions. Following our victory in World War II, veterans who had first ridden motorcycles in the battle for freedom took to the open roads. War veterans even formed some of the very first motorcycle clubs as a way to maintain their camaraderie. Ever since, motorcycles have become a unique symbol of individuality, personal liberty, and harmony with nature. However, by their very nature, motorcycles are more vulnerable in the event of an accident. Though rare, motorcycle accidents do occur in Rhode Island.

Currently, motorcycle accidents account for 14% of fatalities on Rhode Island roadways, despite motorcycles only making up 3% of registered vehicles. Countless more individuals are severely injured in wrecks. People who experience even a minor motorcycle accident are at an increased risk for serious, long-term injuries, which can translate into tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Motorcyclists who have been in an accident can also anticipate lost wages and weeks or even months of physical therapy. No one deserves to have to experience that kind of hardship just for doing what they love. That’s why if you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle wreck, you should contact the Law Offices of Lawrence J. Signore—the Road Lawyer.

Should I Go to the Hospital After a Motorcycle Wreck?

What you do in the moments and hours immediately following a motorcycle accident is key to guaranteeing your safety and ensuring you’re able to hold the responsible parties accountable. From the moment you’ve been in a wreck, the clock is ticking. If you’ve been in a wreck, the most important thing to do is seek medical attention. This is vital for several reasons. Most importantly, motorcycle accidents can result in more serious and more life-threatening injuries than a car crash. Especially if you weren’t wearing a helmet or other safety gear, a motorcycle wreck can lead to serious injuries. Due to Rhode Island’s lax helmet laws, lack of safety gear is a common factor in severe motorcycle accidents. Common injuries in motorcycle accidents include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Partial or Full Paralysis
• Internal Organ Damage
• Internal Bleeding
• Second and Third Degree Burns
• Loss of Vision
• Hearing Loss
• Lacerations
• Dismemberment
• Disfigurement
• Broken Bones

Even if you don’t immediately appear to be experiencing any life-threatening injuries, rapid medical attention is imperative. Certain serious injuries, such as brain damage and internal bleeding, may not show symptoms until it’s already too late. In some instances, you may initially have mobility following an accident but experience paralysis at a later date due to nerve damage or neurological damage.

Many times, seemingly healthy people “walk off” a motorcycle accident only to end up in the hospital later, suffering lifelong injuries that could have been prevented had they been addressed sooner. Getting medical attention immediately can help prevent your injuries from becoming more severe and potentially resulting in death.

Seeking medical attention is also vital from a legal standpoint. Going to a hospital will help create a paper trail, establishing a variety of essential factors. These include the time and date of your accident and a medical record of all your injuries. If you claim to have been hurt in a motorcycle wreck but did not seek medical attention until a much later date, it can impact the outcome of any future legal cases. Seeking prompt medical attention establishes the extent and severity of your injuries.

Should I Contact the Insurance Company After a Wreck?

You must always exchange insurance information with the other driver following a wreck. However, this does not necessarily mean you should begin negotiating with an adjuster. Many people have a misconception about how insurance companies work and why they exist. Although an insurance company may pay a settlement after a wreck, their job is not to make sure injured parties are taken care of. Insurance companies exist to protect their own clients. This means their number one priority is looking out for the driver who hit you. It also means looking out for their own bottom line.

Insurance companies will always attempt to settle for the least amount of money possible. Oftentimes, the amount they offer won’t be enough to cover even basic necessities following a wreck, such as costs to repair or replace your bike, medical bills, and lost wages. A typical insurance company strategy is to try to pressure you into taking a settlement as quickly as possible. The company may make the amount seem like a lot, or they may attempt to downplay the extent of your injuries. Adjusters will commonly cite exceptionally severe accident cases in an effort to diminish the seriousness of your injuries. This is an effort to make you think “it’s not so bad” and more readily accept a lower amount.

Adjusters may also make you think that you must accept an offer within a limited window or you will “lose out.” This is another common high-pressure tactic. Insurance companies rely on people feeling stressed out and pressured after an accident. The reason insurance companies will attempt to get you to accept a quick deal is that, once you have settled, you cannot ask for any more money. Deals with insurance companies following an accident are “one and done.” That means if you accept a settlement but later find out you require further medical treatment or you’ll be out of work for longer than expected, you can’t seek any more damages. This is why it’s so important not to settle with an insurance company immediately following an accident. Seek medical care, then contact our experienced and dedicated motorcycle accident attorney.

Should I Speak to the Police Following a Motorcycle Wreck?

Dealing with the police immediately following a motorcycle wreck is a delicate balancing act. On one hand, you must speak with law enforcement for multiple reasons. You will need a police report and an accident report to seek compensation. Police reports are a vital component of any lawsuit. Police must also be notified following an accident to help clear the roadway, direct traffic, and ensure your safety and that of anyone else involved in the wreck.

However, you should only provide your name, insurance information, and basic information to the police immediately following your accident. Intensive interviews with the police about your wreck should only take place once you’ve hired a personal injury attorney and have your attorney present. Police reports are public records. In the event of a lawsuit, the other driver or their insurance company can obtain these reports for their own case.

Depending on what you say to the police, one poor word choice or awkward statement can end your case. Insurance companies are highly skilled at shifting blame. They will be looking for anything in a police report to indicate you were partially or even wholly at fault for your accident. In many instances, insurance companies can use drivers’ own statements against them to get cases thrown out of court. That’s why if you or a loved one were hurt in a motorcycle accident, you must get to the hospital first, then contact The Rhode Lawyer.

How Much Can I Sue For After a Motorcycle Wreck?

The amount of money you can sue for following a wreck will depend on a variety of factors. These include the extent of your injuries, the damage to your motorcycle, hospital bills, lost wages, and the cost of further medical treatment.

Generally, in motorcycle accident cases, you can pursue two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are based on actual money spent or lost. Examples of economic damages include hospital bills, the cost of repairing your motorcycle, and lost wages from time taken off from work. The amount of money you can seek in economic damages will depend on the severity and extent of your injuries, the amount of time you lost from your job, and the extent of damage to your vehicle. Most attorneys base the amount on a formula that multiples your actual expenses by between 1.5 and 5. So, for example, if you had $10,000 worth of hospital bills, an attorney may sue for between $15,000 and $50,000.

Non-economic damages are also called punitive damages. Punitive means “punish.” These are damages intended to compensate you for intangible losses following your accident, such as pain and suffering, PTSD, emotional distress, and more. It can be challenging to assign a monetary amount to non-economic damages, and they can be more difficult to collect. In fact, punitive damages are only awarded in about 5% of personal injury cases in Rhode Island. During your initial consultation, The Rhode Lawyer will review your case and determine whether you’re eligible to seek punitive damages.

What Should I Do if I’ve Been in a Motorcycle Accident in Rhode Island?

Riding motorcycles is both a fun and safe alternative to car transport as well as a rewarding hobby and lifestyle. No one should have to experience pain or suffering for just trying to enjoy their life. If you or a loved one were hurt or killed in a motorcycle accident, you should immediately contact the Law Offices of Lawrence J. Signore: The Rhode Lawyer.

Lawrence J. Signore prides himself on his proactive, aggressive approach to personal injuries. You’re the one who was hurt, so he doesn’t see why you should have to wait around and hope things get better. That’s why he takes up the fight for you. In fact, he even comes to you. That’s right:  if you were hurt in a motorcycle wreck, Lawrence J. Signore will visit your home or hospital to discuss your case, rather than make you travel during a difficult time.

Lawrence J. Signore brings with him years of courtroom experience and a fierce dedication to protecting the rights and lives of Rhode Islanders. When you’re being represented by The Rhode Lawyer, you’re not just being represented by the best—you’re being represented by the lawyer who cares the most. If you or a loved one were hurt or killed in a motorcycle accident in Providence or the surrounding Rhode Island area, don’t hesitate to call The Rhode Lawyer today at (401) 273-3000 to schedule your consultation.