You knew you were in danger, but it was too late to do anything about it. You had already legally entered the intersection on your motorcycle, and you couldn’t prevent the other driver from wrongfully entering the intersection and causing a collision.
Now, as you focus on your recovery, you need to know why the accident happened and what you can do to get the financial recovery you deserve.
Why Motorcycle Crashes Happen at Intersections
Motorcycle intersection accidents typically occur when a driver enters an intersection after:
- Failing to stop for a stop sign
- Rushing through a yellow light without enough time to get through the intersection before the light turns red
- Running a red light
- Failing to stop and look before making a red turn on red
- Not using caution if a traffic signal is broken a sign is missing
- Makes a left-turn at the intersection without carefully checking for oncoming traffic
Any one of these things can happen when a driver is negligent. Some examples of driver negligence include:
- Drinking and driving
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
It just takes one of these mistakes to cause a catastrophic accident.
Motorcycle Intersection Accident Injuries and Recoveries
As a rider, you are at greater risk of injury than drivers and passengers who have the protective metal and safety features of cars and trucks. In an intersection accident, you may suffer a(n):
- Brain or head injury
- Spinal cord or back injury
- Broken bone
- Internal injury
- Amputation
- Facial, eye, or dental injury
- Nerve damage
In some cases, these injuries may cause death.
If someone else’s negligence caused your motorcycle intersection accident and injury, you might be able to recover for your past and future:
- Healthcare costs
- Lost income
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
However, before you recover compensation, you must prove who caused the accident and the value of your damages.
What to Do and What Not to Do After an Intersection Accident
The accident already happened, but your recovery is just beginning. The steps you take next may significantly impact your ability to make a fair recovery. Accordingly, it is essential to:
- Call the police. You can achieve three things by calling the police from the accident scene. First, the police will come direct traffic and keep you safe from a secondary crash. Second, the police will make sure that everyone who is hurt gets medical attention. Finally, the police will investigate the cause of the crash and write a report.
- Gather evidence. Relevant evidence may include witness names and contact information and extensive pictures of the accident scene. Some relevant photos may include your bike, the other vehicles involved in the crash, your injuries, the traffic signal or sign, and the area around the crash.
- Accept medical attention. Immediate medical attention may diagnose injuries before symptoms appear, help you manage your pain, and prevent your injuries from worsening. Additionally, prompt medical attention may be essential evidence for your accident case when you have to prove that the motorcycle intersection crash caused your injuries.
- Report the accident to your insurance company. Let your insurer know the date, time, and place of your accident.
- Continue getting medical treatment. After your initial evaluation and treatment, it’s critical to attend all follow-up appointments and follow your doctors’ orders.
- Call an attorney. An attorney can represent you during settlement negotiations and in court. Insurers know that Hupy and Abraham attorneys mean business and are often willing to settle our clients’ claims because they know we will go to court if necessary to protect our clients’ financial recoveries.
It is equally as important to avoid mistakes that could interfere with your motorcycle accident recovery. Specifically, it’s often a good idea:
- Not to talk to the insurance adjuster directly. Insurance adjusters are loyal to their employers, and their employers want to pay you as little as possible for your injuries so that they can maximize their own profits.
- Not to post on social media. Anything that you post on social media can be misunderstood and used against you. Therefore, you shouldn’t post anything about the accident, your injuries, or your activities.
- Not to miss medical appointments. If you miss medical appointments, the insurer may argue that you contributed to your injuries by failing to get necessary medical care. You can avoid a potential reduction in your recovery by following your doctors’ orders and keeping all appointments.
- Not to exaggerate your injuries. The insurance company may use surveillance to check up on you after a motorcycle crash. If the insurer catches you doing anything inconsistent with your injuries, then your recovery may be jeopardized.
- Not to handle your own case. Motorcycle accident cases can be complex and you have a lot at stake. Accordingly, it’s essential to have an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer on your side representing your interests.
Few people do everything perfectly after an accident. You may be too hurt to take any action at the accident scene or you may be unaware that you are making a mistake. It’s okay. You may still be able to make a fair recovery, but now it’s especially important to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Call a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Who Is Also a Rider
Hupy and Abraham is one of the top motorcycle litigation firms in the United States. So far, we’ve helped more than 4,000 injured riders recover for their injuries, and several of their recoveries have exceeded one million dollars.
Our lawyers are also riders. We understand what you are going through and we are committed to helping you get the recovery you deserve.
You won’t owe us any legal fees unless your case is successful. That’s our Win or It’s Free Guarantee.
We invite you to contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation in any of our 11 Midwest motorcycle accident law offices. Alternatively, we are always happy to meet with you in your home or hospital room or by phone or video conference.
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