Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries. Many bikers find themselves needing the services of an Indianapolis motorcycle accident lawyer at least once. Bike accidents are more dangerous than car accidents. If you think about it, motorcyclists don’t have airbags or seatbelts to protect them. Even when they wear helmets, they can suffer life-threatening injuries. If someone else’s negligence led to your motorcycle crash, you have the right to demand compensation. Bikers often suffer head injuries, and these can result in long recovery times and high medical bills. If brain damage occurs, their lives may never be the same again. They may be unable to work or perform normal daily activities. This has implications for both them and their household. Even in less severe cases, the victim’s quality of life can decrease. That’s why you need to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side who will fight for your rights.
You shouldn’t attempt to handle an injury claim on your own. Insurance companies take advantage of victims who are injured, scared, or just don't know what the full amount of a settlement can be. If you want to get what you really deserve, hire StewartWood Injury Lawyers. We understand the laws involved in motorcycle accidents and they will guide you through the claims process. We have dealt with Insurance Companies trying to deny and reduce the full damges and money owed to motorcycle riders. Call us today at (317) 969-6558 to receive your free consultation with our experts and get the answers you deserve.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Indiana Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
Many accident victims who call us assume that they must pay us before we can represent them. They are surprised to hear that we have a contingency fee in all motorcycle injury cases as well as other injury cases. This is the StewartWood FEE GUARANTE... You don't pay us until we win your case. We get paid when we are successful in recovering compensation on your behalf. You shouldn’t avoid speaking with a StewartWood Lawyer in Indianapolis,Indiana.
Motorcycle accidents present some challenges regarding liability. Very often, when a biker gets into an accident, people think they must be at fault. Even without knowing the circumstances of the case, many witnesses and insurance companies assume the motorcyclist was speeding. It can be very tricky for you to handle your claim alone. Hiring our Team allows you to focus on getting better while we handle the legal issues. You will have to deal with a lot after your accident especially if your injuries are serious. If you have a long recovery ahead of you, the last thing you need to worry about is navigating the Court System and arguing with Insurance Adjusters. We simply ask that you contact us immediately after your accident. That way, we start collecting the evidence which will get you the compensation you deserve.
How Much Is My Indiana Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
Clients often want to know how much they will be able to recover from the motorcycle accident. No one can tell you how much the case is worth at the outset. The case needs to be properly investigated, and fault has to be established. Your medical treatment should also be concluded before a total value is attached to your claim. Contrary to popular belief, this is a good thing. If the insurance company could predetermine the amount of your recovery, you wouldn’t be able to ask for specific damages. You have unique injuries and losses that can't be evaluated and determined by some Insurance Computer Program. We understand why you would want to know the value of your case in the beginning. Your medical bills may be piling up and you may have to spend weeks or months away from work. However, you will later realize that the delay works to your advantage. This is because immediately after the accident:
- You don’t know your total injuries
- You can’t predict the type of treatment you will need or the duration
- You don’t know how much your injuries would affect your personal life
- You can’t anticipate the psychological difficulties you may face
- There is now way to know any permanent, life long limitations and restrictions
- Can't calculate your total lost wages or income
These are only some of the things which can’t be predicted right after the accident. However, they are very important parts of your claim. When our Team develops your case, we can present the complete information to the insurance company to get you all the money you deserve. Your own Insurance Company ( and the other driver's Insurance) may ask you to sign a medical release shortly after your accident. DON'T SIGN OR AGREE TO ANYTHING! They hope that you will take a quick settlement, sign a full release and send you away forever. If you do this, you won’t be able to get more money, EVER.
The value of your case is largely determined by two things: who was at fault and how much damage and injury was caused by the accident. Call StewartWood to get your maximum compensation.
You will usually be able to claim damages for:
- Past and future medical costs
- Past and future lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Past and future disability including past and future pain and suffering
- Spouses loss of services, love and affection
- Emotional/mental suffering and pain
- Future and past medication cost
- Scaring and disfigurement
The actual dollar figure attached to any of these losses depends on the severity of the injuries, treatment and financial damages. Compensation for two weeks off work will naturally be much less than compensation for someone who can never work again. If your injuries are serious, you will find it can be a challenge to calculate your losses. StewartWood Lawyers have the experience with motorcycle accidents to know exactly what to do. If the case needs to go to trial, StewartWood has years of experience preparing for and being aggressive in the Court Room. Not ALL LAWYERS are the same. Some lawyers do NOT like or want to be in a Court Room or have a Jury Trial. Insurance Companies know that the lawyers at StewartWood will go to trial.
When Should I See A Doctor?
Most motorcyclists receive serious injuries, so they seek medical attention immediately. Some leave the accident scene in an ambulance. However, we’ve met motorcyclists who sustained seemingly minor injuries and opted not to see a doctor right away. Bikers who suffer cuts and scrapes or soft tissue injuries often believe the pain will go away on its own. However, delaying a doctor’s visit reduces the likelihood that they will be able to get compensation. You should go to the doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Even if you feel fine, you may have been hurt. You just may not realize it until a doctor examines you. Also, some injuries don’t show the most serious symptoms until a few days after the accident. Going to the doctor right away ensures you get a professional diagnosis. It also creates another record of your accident and the likelihood of injury. Insurance companies often refuse personal injury claims when the victim waited too long to seek treatment. Both the insurer and a jury will see a gap in treatment as proof that you were not really injured. Even if you had a valid reason for not getting treatment earlier, they may not believe you.
Indiana Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Motorcycle accidents occur way too often. There was a 17 percent increase in motorcycle accident fatalities in Indiana between 2016 and 2017. This is according to statistics from the State of Indiana FY 2017 Traffic Safety Annual Report. These deaths also accounted for a bigger percentage of crash fatalities. However, crash injuries held relatively steady at 88,000 per year. Most of these accidents are caused by speeding and alcohol use by motorcyclists or other road users. Impaired visibility, dangerous road conditions, and poor signage are also factors. The attorneys at StewartWood Injury Lawyers will thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident.
How Long Will It Take My Case to Settle?
Motorcycle accident cases take time. Most of our clients want to know how long the process will take right at the outset. Unfortunately, this is just another one of those situations in which the answer is “it depends”. However, when a lawyer takes the time to work on your case properly, you’re more likely to get a successful outcome. As a motorcyclist, your injuries are likely to be serious so getting compensation will be more difficult. Three of the factors which will affect the length of your case are:
How long it takes for your doctor to complete your treatment
Injuries can be very unpredictable. Even the doctor who has diagnosed you may not know how long you will need treatment. Medical professionals may differ on whether you will get better or worse over time. Your treatment plan will influence how long your case take but you shouldn’t rush your treatment or your recovery.
How long it takes to obtain compensation is determined by several factors, one of which being how long it takes to complete medical treatment.
How long it takes to gather all your medical bills and records
Getting copies of your bills and records may seem simple but it takes time. These records contain evidence of your injuries and financial losses. This means we absolutely must have them if we want to make a case for fair compensation. Not having all the documents in order can weaken your case.
How long it takes to receive a response from the insurance company
Ultimately, we will draw up a demand package and send it to the insurance company. It will include your medical records and bills and a demand letter. It is a lot of documentation. Depending on how complex your case is, the insurer may take a month or two to respond. That response is likely to allow negotiations to start. If you want to get a fair settlement, you will have to endure some back and forth.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Wrecks in Indiana?
Motorcycle accidents can occur in a variety of ways. Let’s look at some of the most likely causes in Indiana.
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Biker Error
The motorcyclist can be responsible for the crash. They may be inexperienced or riding while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They may also be engaged in distracted driving. Lane splitting can also lead to an accident.
- Other Motorists
- Road Hazards and Dangerous Roads
- Defective Motorcycle or Motorcycle Parts
Contact an Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for A Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering if you can get compensation. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation so we can hear the details of your case. If you don’t have a case, we’ll tell you. However, if we think someone’s negligence led to your crash, we will do everything we can to fight for your rights. You don’t want to try handling a motorcycle accident case on your own. Focus on your recovery settlement, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf. We will use all our knowledge and experience to fight for you. Remember, you don’t have to pay us anything upfront. We’ll take your case on a contingency basis and you only pay when we secure your settlement.Call the Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys at StewartWood Injury Lawyers to set up an appointment!
Our Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys Handle A Variety of Injury Cases
We don’t only handle motorcycle crash cases. We assist individuals in the Indianapolis area who suffer injuries in a variety of situations. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping injured people and their families get the compensation they need to move forward. Some of the other cases we handle are:
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Truck Accidents
These are often among the most serious types of collisions because of the size and weight of trucks. The resulting injuries are usually severe, and the property damage is significant. Our Indianapolis truck accident attorneys are here to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
StewartWood Injury Lawyers fight for victims in all types of personal injury cases, including truck accidents. - Car Accidents
- Uber Accidents
- Dog Bites
StewartWood Injury Lawyers offers legal services for motorcycle accidents across Indianapolis, Central Indiana, Greenwood, Brownsburg, Avon, Kokomo, Muncie, Anderson, Ft. Wayne, Bloomington, Greenfield, Terre Haute, Noblesville, Plainfield, Lafayette and the surrounding areas.