MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

A Philadelphia motorcycle accident can happen in an instant; however, the injuries it causes can be catastrophic and even change your life forever. The aftermath of an accident is often overwhelming and stressful, mixed with countless doctor’s appointments, insurance follow-ups, deadlines, and more. At The Cochran Firm, we understand how frustrating these situations can be. Because of this, our legal team is standing by to help you know what to do and ensure you are properly represented. 

Steps to Take After Being Involved in a Motorcycle Accident 

After a motorcycle accident occurs, there are important steps you should take to protect your rights. These include:

• Contact the authorities and call for medical assistance for any injuries. 
• Move yourself and your motorcycle to a safe location off the road (if possible). 
• Never admit fault for the accident, and don’t try to blame another party. 
• Exchange information with the other parties involved, including contact information, insurance, etc. 
• Try to write down everything you remember about the accident, including where it occurred, who was involved, weather conditions, etc. 
• If possible, take photos of the accident and scene. 
• Hire an experienced motorcycle attorney for assistance. 

At our Philadelphia law firm, you can count on our attorneys to help with your case and handle all the paperwork and documents involved. We will also make sure you meet all deadlines so that you can focus on your recovery. Our goal is to make the process as hassle-free for you as possible while helping you secure the maximum amount of compensation possible. 

Recommendations from an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Law Firm

If you have experienced an injury because of a motorcycle accident, it’s important to hire an experienced legal team. Some of the other steps you should take after the accident can be found here. 

Report the Incident to the Proper Authorities 

If you did not report the incident to your insurance company, it’s a good idea to do this as soon as possible. If you talk to the insurance company, make sure you don’t provide a statement. In some situations, even your insurance company will not have what is best for you in mind. If the company requests a statement, you can say “no,” or refer them to your attorney. 

Get Your Documents and Paperwork Organized 

It’s a good idea to get all your insurance paperwork and documents together, read the coverage, and figure out what your policies provide you. If you are injured because of another driver, be sure to get their information. Also, request a copy of the official police report that provides all the important details related to your motorcycle collision. 

If you or someone in your family has been injured in a motorcycle accident and you don’t understand what your insurance coverage is, you can contact our legal team at The Cochran Firm. We will help you better understand your coverage so you can make sense of the documents and paperwork related to your claim. 

Avoid Talking to the Insurance Company for the Other Party 

When you are talking to the insurance company of another driver, make sure that you do not do the following things.  You should not . . .

• Give them a recorded statement, because they can use it against you.
• Give them the authorization to access your medical records or discuss your injuries or medical condition. 
• Agree that you will meet with an agent.
• Attempt to reach a settlement on your own. 

Contact Our Experienced Legal Team for Help with Your Motorcycle Accident Case

When you hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from our law firm, we will get to work on your case immediately. Our goal is to help you recover the compensation you deserve after being injured in an accident. The Cochran Firm has represented motorcyclists for several years and has the experience, expertise, and resources to ensure you have the best possible outcome for your case. 

Your Options if a Loved One is Killed in a Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident

Was someone in your family seriously injured or even killed because of a Philadelphia motorcycle accident? Do you have to deal with all their medical bills, appointments, and more? Are you still trying to pay the funeral and burial costs?

If so, our legal team can help. 

When a motorcycle accident occurs, it’s not unusual for riders to experience debilitating and even lifelong injuries due to the accident that occurred. In many cases, the accident was in no way their fault, but they are still dealing with lifelong injuries such as:

• Spinal cord, neck, and head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Severed limbs
• Shattered bones
• Paralysis.

While no amount of money will be able to compensate for the loss of a loved one, you should not have to suffer financially because of another person’s negligence. Our Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorneys will take care of all the legal aspects of your situation to help you recover the compensation you deserve. 

Some of the types of compensation that our legal team can help you recover include:

• All related medical costs
• Costs for the funeral and burial
• Loss of financial support the deceased party provided
• Loss of championship 
• Punitive damages.

Our legal team will investigate the situation to collect evidence and determine what happened. We will work to find answers to all your questions and make sure you understand what is going on at each step of the process. You can also count on our legal team to cover all related costs upfront until a settlement is received. 

The Most Common Injuries That Occur in Philadelphia Motorcycle Accidents 

There’s no question that Philadelphia motorcycle accident injuries can be catastrophic. In fact, any part of your body may be injured when an accident occurs. 

According to one study, the most incapacitating and fatal injuries are seen when the impact of the collision is to the front portion of the motorcycle. 

Any time a motorcycle is involved in an accident, the injuries you may sustain are likely to be significant. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, some injuries are more common than others. The most common include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Traumatic brain injuries are extremely common among motorcycle crash victims. While some of these injuries are fatal, others result in life-long issues like memory problems, speech issues, and more. 

Spinal Cord Injuries 

If your spinal cord is injured in a motorcycle accident, it can result in paralysis. With this type of catastrophic injury, you will likely experience a permanent disability. 

Injuries to the Lower Extremities 

It has been found that lower-extremity injuries for motorcycle accident victims are the most common injury in motorcycle crashes. In fact, leg injuries are the most common injury to the lower extremities, while bone fractures are common soft-tissue injuries. 

Internal Injuries 

Internal bleeding and damage to your internal organs can be the result of blunt force trauma, which occurs when you are struck by something hard that does not break your skin, or by penetration trauma, when something sharp, such as broken glass, penetrates your skin during an accident. 

Fractures 

Something you likely know is that motorcycles are not stable when they are stood upright. Because of this, it isn’t uncommon for them to fall over when you are involved in an accident. Since most accidents happen quickly, the rider’s leg may be caught under the bike when it falls over. Arms and wrists may also be fractured if a rider attempts to break the fall. 

Road Rash

If a rider comes in contact with the surface of the road during an accident, they may experience serious skin abrasions. This is known as “road rash.” This type of injury can range from mild to more serious and is one that usually requires immediate medical attention. One reason for this is that it is possible for serious infections to develop, and the injury can cause permanent scarring. 

Upper Extremity Injuries 

During some motorcycle accidents, the rider or riders are ejected from the bike and sent flying into the air. Just like in other accidents, the rider or their passenger may use their arms to try and brace themselves for the fall and impact. This is a completely normal reflex. 

Because of this, a motorcyclist who experiences any type of hard landing during an accident will likely have torn rotator cuffs and shoulder injuries. Other injuries that are common include broken fingers, elbows, and arms. It may also be possible for an injured motorcyclist to experience permanent nerve damage in their upper body. 

You can gain some protection by using body armor and motorcycle gloves. 

Thorax Injuries 

Your thorax is the trunk of your body. It is where your lungs, heart, and other internal organs are and is protected by your ribs. If blunt force trauma occurs to your chest, it may result in internal bleeding and damage to your vital organs. Many motorcycle accident victims have broken ribs, which may lacerate the spleen, liver, or kidney or even puncture a lung. 

In a motorcycle accident, your lungs are especially susceptible and vulnerable to bruising and collapsing. Sometimes, lung injuries require ventilation, and in other situations, you will require surgery. Injuries to the thorax can also cause a torn aorta, which will require surgery and may be fatal. 

Neck and Face Injuries 

When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you may experience injuries to the neck and face. Some of the most common injuries to the face include broken teeth, jawbone, and nose. You may also experience permanent disfigurement and scarring, along with emotional trauma from this type of stressful situation. 

If your bike is hit from behind, then you may experience whiplash. This occurs when the neck is moved back and forth forcefully in an accident. These collisions can also cause damage to the nerves, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones in the neck. The damage that occurs may impact your ability to control your neck and head movement. Sometimes this will be temporary, but in other cases, it will last forever. 

Common Questions About Motorcycle Accident Claims in Philadelphia 

If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident, you likely have questions. At The Cochran Firm, we are here to answer all your questions and provide you with experienced representation for your case. 

While we are always available to discuss your situation and accident case, we have answered some of the most common questions here. 

Do you have a case that will be able to recover compensation?

There are several factors that will determine if you have a case for compensation. Some of the factors that come into play include:

• The severity of your injuries
• Whether you had to spend time in the hospital
• If you did or will require surgery
• If you experienced scarring or another type of permanent damage
• Any future medical costs you will incur
• What evidence is available
• Insurance details related to your case.

As a motorcycle accident victim, you have just a short amount of time to file a claim for damages. Because of this, it is essential that you act quickly. If you wait, it will take even more time to build your case. Also, the longer you wait, the greater is the possibility that evidence related to the case will disappear and witnesses may become more difficult to find. 

This is where The Cochran Firm comes in. Once you contact us for help with your motorcycle accident claim, we will get to work immediately. The first step is to launch an investigation into what happened. After that, we will consult with experts and stand up to the pushy insurance companies. Our goal is to ensure that you don’t accept a settlement that is less than what you deserve. 

What is your motorcycle accident claim worth?

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, there’s no question that medical bills can pile up. During this time, you may be unable to work due to the injuries you sustained. It is completely understandable that one of the first questions you may have related to your case is – how much is it worth?

The Cochran Firm has experienced motorcycle accident lawyers standing by to help you with your case. We understand how to value these accident situations and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. 

We also understand that the process is not as simple as just giving you a number. We will never do that. Instead, we will get to know all the details of your case and then determine a value based on evidence and your losses. We also recommend that you avoid using a law firm that is willing to provide you with a specific value for your claim. 

It is important to get in touch with our legal team to schedule a free initial case review. This initial meeting doesn’t cost you anything, and we can review your situation to determine how we can help with your case. Since you may have future medical bills and additional lost wages, along with other unexpected expenses, it’s crucial that you use our legal team to help get the true value of your claim. 

Do you really need to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?

There’s no question that motorcycle accidents can be extremely destructive and chaotic. It can change your life in an instant, and things may never be the same. After this type of accident, you may be dealing with serious injuries, and insurance companies are trying to get you to accept a low ball settlement offer. 

If you don’t hire legal representation from our experienced motorcycle injury lawyers, you may not receive the money that you deserve. It’s important to note that the legal process is difficult and confusing. It’s often full of legal jargon and seemingly endless paperwork. Along with that, insurance companies have teams helping them reduce your settlement. Don’t you deserve to have someone fighting just as hard for you? 

We are that “someone.” Our legal team stands up for our clients. If you are overwhelmed with accident-related costs, we will work to help you recover the money you deserve for your accident and injuries. With our years of experience, you can count on us to fight aggressively against the insurance company to ensure you get what your accident and injuries are truly worth. 

Contact Our Legal Team for Help with Your Motorcycle Accident Case

When it comes to a motorcycle accident, you should contact your legal team at The Cochran Firm for help and assistance. We will investigate your claim and help ensure you get the desired outcome for your case. 

We are here to help and want to provide you with the aggressive representation you deserve after being injured in a motorcycle accident. The first step is to get in touch with our legal team and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We are ready to help you with your motorcycle accident claim.