Aging can affect strength, vision, balance, and reaction time.
As you get older, your reflexes slow. You may find it hard to see at night or even during the day. Your sense of balance changes. Your bones and muscles weaken, and you may lose strength. These changes can affect your ability to ride a motorcycle and increase your risk of a Wisconsin motorcycle accident.
However, these changes don't happen to everyone at the same age. You probably know several people in their 60s, 70s, or even 80s who ride motorcycles frequently and safely, and you may be one of them.
Safety Tips for Older Motorcycle Riders
You may continue safely riding your motorcycle as you age. As always, you should talk to your doctor about any physical limitations or risks. Additionally, you may consider taking precautions, such as:
- Taking a motorcycle safety course
- Wearing highly visible clothes
- Understanding your medical conditions and listening to your body
- Knowing how your medications could impact your ability to ride safely
- Considering wearing protective gear to lower your chances of suffering severe injuries if an accident occurs
The decision about whether you continue to ride is up to you.
Your Age Won't Prevent Your Fair Motorcycle Accident Recovery
If you decide to continue riding your bike, our motorcycle accident lawyers want you to know that older motorcyclists are not automatically at fault for motorcycle crashes. If you can prove that someone else's negligence caused your motorcycle accident, you can recover legal damages. The motorist who caused the crash, or their insurer, is responsible for paying for all of your injuries, even if some of those injuries were worse because of your age.
For example, older motorcyclists may be more likely to suffer broken bones in a motorcycle crash because they may have decreased bone density and bone mass compared to younger riders. The driver who caused the crash is responsible for paying for your unique injuries, even if they would've been less severe had you been younger.
Therefore, while age may have been a factor in your motorcycle accident injuries, it does not bar your potential recovery. You are still entitled to recover damages for all of your costs related to your accident which may include past, present, and future:
- Medical expenses such as surgeries, hospitalizations, medications, doctors' appointments, and rehabilitation therapies.
- Property damage to your bike.
- Lost income, if you were still working at the time of your crash and have lost income or anticipate losing income as a result of your accident injuries.
- Out-of-pocket expenses such as help around the house and transportation costs if you can't drive.
- Compensation for your physical pain and emotional suffering.
Together, these types of financial compensation can help you get the medical care and support that you need without depleting your savings and other financial resources.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
You deserve to be treated fairly after a motorcycle accident, whether you've just begun enjoying motorcycling during your retirement or you've been an avid motorcyclist for many years.
Our Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois motorcycle lawyers are here to help. If you've been hurt in a motorcycle crash, we encourage you to call our lawyers. We are also riders ourselves. We understand the joys of motorcycling, we advocate for riders' rights, and we are here to make sure your rights are protected if you're hurt in a crash.
Insurance companies know that the experienced Midwest motorcycle accident attorneys of Hupy and Abraham mean business. Accordingly, they often settle our clients' claims because they know that we won't hesitate to go to court if they don't settle.
We encourage you to contact us today to learn more. We'd be happy to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation in any of our 11 law offices located throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, in your home or hospital room, or by phone or video conference. Additionally, we invite you to download a free copy of our Rider Resource Kit for more information about what to do after a crash occurs.
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