Motorcycle accidents are traumatic events with an overwhelming potential for life-altering consequences. Apart from serious physical injuries and lasting limitations, they can also upend the lives of victims and their loved ones emotionally and financially.
At Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen, we’ve represented countless victims and families across Nevada who’ve suffered losses in motorcycle accidents and know firsthand just how tumultuous the aftermath of a crash can be. But, having been in practice since 1985, we also know that it is possible to repair your life – especially when you trust professionals to aid in your physical, emotional, and financial recovery.
Self-Care After a Motorcycle Accident
Trials and tribulations abound in the wake of a motorcycle accident, which is why it’s so critical to put yourself first. Here are few ways you can care for yourself after a crash:
- Seek immediate medical attention. After an accident, your health should be your priority. This means seeking immediate medical attention if you haven’t done so already – even if you feel “fine” now. Some injuries have symptoms that may appear minor or manageable at first, but which can become serious or even life threatening when left unaddressed. A comprehensive medical evaluation early on will also set the tone for your recovery.
- Follow treatment plans. Always follow up with the recommended treatment plan prescribed by healthcare professionals. It might include rest, medications, physical therapy, or more invasive procedures such as surgery and post-surgical care. Adhering to your treatment not only facilitates recovery but also legally documents your injuries, which is crucial should you decide to pursue legal action such as a personal injury claim.
- Address your mental health. Physical injuries commonly suffered in motorcycle accidents – including broken bones, soft tissue damage, amputations, spine injuries, and traumatic brain injuries – have profound effects beyond your physical health. These injuries may sideline you from hobbies and activities you once enjoyed, require long and painful recoveries, or result in lasting disabilities and impairments that require you to acclimate to a new normal. These setbacks can take a toll on your mental health and result in psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Seeking the support of a mental health professional is as important as healing your physical wounds and should be a key part of your recovery.
Caring For Your Financial Health
Motorcycle accidents – like all types of preventable accidents that give rise to personal injury actions – have the potential to cause tremendous financial strain. This may result from an inability to work and earn income and medical bills associated with treating your injuries. Often, these financial strains add to the emotional toll of your injuries.
Given these issues, you’ll also want to prioritize your financial health after a crash. One of the best ways to do this is to work with a lawyer who can help you explore options for pursuing a personal injury claim, and aid in other ways to alleviate financial burdens.
Here are some ways to address your financial health:
1. Hire Legal Representation
- Look for a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury attorney specializes in representing individuals injured due to someone else's negligence. They know how to identify when accident victims have viable claims, and how to guide them through the process of recovering compensation for their losses.
- Make sure your lawyer has experience. Not every lawyer practices personal injury law, and not all personal injury lawyers have the experience required to litigate motorcycle accident claims, especially when they’re high-stakes cases involving serious injuries. In your search for a proven lawyer, look to their experience, testimonials from former clients injured in wrecks like yours, and their record of success.
- Choose a well-resourced firm. Insurance companies view motorcycle accident cases as major threats to their bottom lines, and will aggressively dispute, deny, and underpay. By working with a well-resourced firm, you’ll be better positioned to level the playing field with powerful insurers, especially in terms of conducting the investigations and evidence gathering that can support your case. Attorneys who are established in their field are also likely to have connections with medical providers who can evaluate and treat your injuries on liens so that you can obtain the medical care you need without financial worries. They are also more likely to handle your case on contingency, which means they don’t charge fees to hire and collect a fee only when they win.
2. Help Your Lawyer Help You
- Gather evidence and documentation. You can help your lawyer strengthen your claim by preserving all medical records, accident reports, and any communications you’ve had with insurance companies. Photographs or video evidence from the scene, photos of your injuries, and witness information can also be crucial. Your attorney will use this evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Be aware of timelines and deadlines. Be mindful of the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in your jurisdiction. In Nevada, this is typically two years from the date of injury. You should also be mindful of important events in your case, and timelines that require you to produce documentation, complete interrogatories, give depositions, or more.
3. Know Your Rights
- Filing a personal injury claim. As a motorcycle accident victim, you may have the right to take legal action against the party who caused your accidents and injuries – be it a negligent motorist, commercial driver, property owner, or even product manufacturer. Referred to as personal injury claims, these actions are intended to hold at-fault parties financially responsible for your losses.
- Recoverable damages. Victims in motorcycle accident cases are entitled to a financial recovery of their damages. These damages may include medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. They can also include any losses you’re likely to incur in the future because of your injuries – such as when you require ongoing care for a severe injury or won’t be able to work. Experienced attorneys know how to calculate damages to ensure you pursue a settlement or award that meets your needs.
- Obtaining a resolution. You may have the right to compensation after being injured by another’s negligence, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be fairly or automatically paid. Insurance companies handling these cases want to escape with as little liability as possible and will do their best to minimize your compensation or deny your claim entirely. By working with a lawyer, you’ll be better prepared to deflect their tactics and pursue the resolution you deserve – whether it’s through a negotiated settlement or a trial verdict.
Have Questions? Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen Can Help.
Prioritizing self-care and securing competent legal representation are key after a motorcycle accident and can have an immense impact on your ability to move forward and rebuild your life.
At Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen, our award-winning Las Vegas personal injury practice is dedicated solely to fighting for the injured. Since 1985, we’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients – including numerous million and multi-million-dollar recoveries for motorcycle accident victims – and are available to discuss how we can help you.
If you have questions about what to do after a motorcycle crash and how we can help, give us a call (702) 505-8115 at or contact us online for a FREE consultation.