Motorcycle accident claims differ from car accident claims in a number of ways. Lawyers who represent injured bikers must be prepared to push back against the unfair bias insurance adjusters, and even judges and juries often have against motorcycle riders. Also, the injuries bikers suffer tend to be much more severe than car accident injuries. For these reasons, it’s important that you work with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to be sure you are getting all the damages to which you are entitled.
At MacDowell Law Group, we are proud to represent Northern Virginia bikers who have been injured in crashes with negligent motorists, and we will fight to get you all the compensation you deserve!
Potential Damages After a Virginia Motorcycle Crash
The goal of a personal injury claim is to hold the person whose negligence harmed you responsible for making you “whole” again. While it’s not always possible for accident victims to fully recover after sustaining devastating injuries, the damages awarded in an insurance claim or lawsuit should be sufficient to help you get close. Potential motorcycle accident damages include:
Current medical expenses
From treatment at the scene of the crash to emergency surgery or specialist visits soon after, all of the medical bills you have accumulated since the crash should be covered by your damage award.
Future medical expenses
It is ideal to wait until you have reached maximum medical improvement—meaning you have recovered as much as you are expected to by doctors—so that the cost of future medical care such as rehabilitation, additional surgeries, therapy, and other treatments can be included in the damage award.
Lost wages
If you were unable to work because of your injuries, you should be reimbursed for the sick time or vacation days you had to take to recover. Damages can include these expenses.
Lost earning capacity
If a permanent disability limits the kind of work you can do, and you are unable to earn the wages you earned before the crash, you can be compensated for the money you would have earned over the course of your life had you not been injured.
Out-of-pocket costs
Any expenses that are not included in medical bills or lost wages should also be accounted for. These might include transportation costs, altering your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability, and legal fees.
Physical pain
You should also be compensated for the pain you experienced because of the crash. While there is no specific price tag attached to physical suffering, your lawyer can present evidence of the value of the claim.
Emotional suffering
Another form of non-economic damage is the emotional suffering you have endured because of the crash. Many motorcycle accident victims experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder that can be debilitating.
Every case is unique, and the damages you are owed will depend on the details of your case. However, when you work with MacDowell Law Group, you can be sure we will fight to get you the maximum compensation possible.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
The damages you are owed, and the ultimate value of your claim will depend on the kind of injuries you sustained in the crash. The more serious the injuries, the higher the value of the claim. Bikers often sustain the following serious injuries when they crash:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury and paralysis
- Broken bones
- Road rash and serious infections
- Chest injuries
- Facial and eye injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
Any of these injuries could cause a life-long disability or prove fatal. If a family member was killed in a motorcycle crash, you might be able to seek justice through a wrongful death lawsuit. Our team can advise you of your options.
Have You Been Injured In A Motorcycle Accident?
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Fairfax, Virginia personal injury law office at 703.277.2811 to schedule your free consultation. We help clients throughout Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia and look forward to helping you.
Related Links:
- What to Do After a Fairfax Virginia Motorcycle Accident
- Handle Adjusters With Help From a VA Motorcycle Crash Lawyer
- Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury Accidents and Recoveries