At first glance, motorcycle and car accidents may appear similar since they both involve crashes on the road and a vehicle with an operator suffering injuries. However, the manner in which claims are investigated, evaluated, and ultimately presented can differ significantly. For those who ride a motorcycle, this distinction in the process is critical because there are significant differences in the rights they hold legally and the actions they are required to take in the wake of a crash.
Sadly, motorcyclists are often more susceptible to accidents due to the fact that individuals are in less protective vehicles, which means injuries can be more severe than other vehicle accidents. Given this dynamic, the implications of the medical expenses and legal outcomes are typically more aggrieving.
Many motorcyclists are faced with pain and medical expenses, lost wages, and damage to their motorcycles. Due to this, it becomes essential to work with a renowned motorcycle crash lawyer in Atlanta. When it comes to protecting your rights, it is also important to learn the differences between motorcycle and car accident claims.
Extent of Injuries
The most significant contrast between motorcycle and car claims is generally the severity of the injury. Car drivers and passengers alike benefit from a wide range of safety features such as seatbelts, airbags, and steel frame constructions. Motorcycle riders are much more exposed, although they may be wearing helmets and other safety gear. In a crash, they are still far more likely to sustain major injuries. This translates into motorcycle accident claims having higher medical bills, greater rehabilitation, and longer recovery time.
With the greater severity of injuries comes the possibility that insurance companies will scrutinize motorcycle accident claims more closely for this very reason. They may attempt to limit how much they will pay, or even question the appropriateness of medical treatments. For this reason, it will be important for motorcyclists to keep a thorough record of medical treatment and evaluations documenting the injury and to gather evidence of past and ongoing treatments.
Without adequate documentation, insurance companies can easily argue the opposite, i.e., the injury was nowhere near as serious and may delay or deny the claim based upon their findings. Situations like this can make the claims process longer and often much more stressful for the injured motorcycle rider. Ideally, you should be working with a motorcycle crash lawyer in Atlanta to boost the chances of a favorable outcome.
Presence of Bias
One more important distinction with motorcycle accident claims is bias. Often, motorcyclists are wrongly viewed as irresponsible, careless, fast drivers. These stereotypes can be reflected in police written reports and even how insurance providers view fault or liability. With car accident claims, bias has less of an effect, simply because they are the standard and more ordinary vehicles on the road. This prejudice can lead to added disputes around liability or fault in motorcycle claims. Also, a car accident lawyer in Atlanta makes it easier to ensure a favorable result.
Motorcyclists will need to put in additional work and effort to demonstrate that they were, in fact, traveling lawfully and driving safely at the time of the crash. They would usually need proof such as dash cam videos, witness statements, or opinion testimony from accident reconstruction experts. Without strong evidence, a motorcyclist may have someone point the finger at them for the crash, which tends to limit or eliminate any compensation they get.
Settlement Process Takes Too Long
There is another difference between motorcycle and car accident claims and it is how long the settlement process takes. Motorcycle accidents will usually involve more serious injury and higher damages, so the insurance company will take more time in reviewing details and may need to gather more information. This can delay the payout and could create a hardship for the injured motorcyclist, as it will be more difficult to pay your bills or move forward with your life. Car accident claims will typically settle quicker, especially for minor collisions.
Conclusion
The road can be unpredictable for a motorcyclist. Understanding how motorcycle accident claims work and how they can differ from the more common car accident claims gives you the necessary knowledge to take action, make informed decisions, and get the help you need. Your safety matters, and so does your right to get compensation.
Injured in a motorcycle accident? Let the experienced team at Karma Injury Law guide you through the claims process and get the compensation you deserve. Speak with us today to receive dedicated support and clarity from an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer in Atlanta.
