Common Concerns of Motorcycle Accident Victims
Will I Recover?
When victims rank what is the main concern for a victim who has been in a motorcycle accident, many will answer they worry about whether they will ever fully recover. Unfortunately, motorcycle accident victims are much more likely to suffer debilitating injuries in crashes as compared to motor vehicle occupants. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that 82,687 people were injured in US motorcycle crashes in 2022 alone, and another 6,218 were killed.
Researchers have found that those injured in motorcycle crashes are also much more likely to suffer severe injuries. Whether you’ll fully recover from your injuries depends on the injury’s type and severity and how well you adhere to physical rehabilitation and other components of your treatment plan. If you have severe injuries, you might not regain full functioning but may instead work toward achieving as much independence as you can under the circumstances.
Who Will Pay for My Injuries?
A second concern that ranks highly among victims is who will pay for their injuries and other losses. The answer to this question can also vary and depends on available insurance and who was at fault.
Unfortunately, severe injuries from a motorcycle crash often require extensive treatment and rehabilitation. Even if you have medical insurance, your costs of care may far exceed your ability to pay. Copays and deductibles can quickly pile up and overwhelm you financially, and you might also be unable to return to the work you previously enjoyed.
If the other motorist was at fault for causing your crash, you might be entitled to pursue compensation by filing a claim against them. In that case, their insurance company would be responsible for paying damages, including the costs of your past and future medical bills, wage losses, and property damage as well as non-economic losses for your physical pain and suffering, disability, loss of the enjoyment of life, and more. In that situation, it’s best to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at the law firm of Ellis & Associates to determine the merits of your case and the potential damages that might be available.
Some doctors will agree to wait until you recover compensation from a lawsuit for payment, which can be helpful if you can’t afford high medical copays and deductibles or don’t have health insurance. Massachusetts requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of a maximum of $8,000 that will pay for an injured auto policyholder’s medical expenses and up to 75 percent of wage losses. However, PIP is not available to motorcycle riders, so this option isn’t available to you when you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash.
Will I Be Able to Return to Work?
This question is a major concern for those who suffer severe motorcycle accident injuries, and it is closely related to the concern about recovery. Whether you’ll be able to return to your former job depends on your injury’s type and severity. For example, if you suffered a leg amputation but work at a desk job, you should be able to return to your job with accommodations. If you instead suffered a severe traumatic brain injury that interferes with your cognitive functioning and ability to relate to others, returning might be impossible. If you can’t return to work, it will be important to recover damages that fairly compensate you for the consequences of your accident for the rest of your life, and you might also be eligible for Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI) or long-term disability insurance benefits, depending on whether you have a long-term disability policy.
Talk to the Attorneys at Ellis & Associates
The motorcycle crash attorneys at Ellis & Associates understand the common concerns many motorcycle accident victims have and can explain your legal options. To learn more, call us today for a free consultation at 800-MR-ELLIS or send us a message online.