Getting Compensated As A Passenger Injured On A Motorcycle
Posted on: 30 November 2016
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When you're the passenger of a motorcycle and you get hurt, the process for getting your injuries covered can take you in many directions. Here is a guide to understanding who to approach about compensation, and how to go about getting the right compensation.
In One-Vehicle Accidents
There are a few types of accidents that you could be a part of, and each has a slightly different outcome and approach. The main thing to keep in mind is that you are trying to determine who was at fault for the accident.
When there was a single vehicle accident, meaning the motorcycle crashed on its own without another vehicle, there are two main directions that could go in. It might have been the fault of the driver. If they were exhibiting risky behavior on the road, or they were intoxicated, then the accident is often due to the fault of the motorist. In this case, you would seek compensation from the driver's insurance policy or the driver themselves.
Sometimes, an accident can be caused by the motorcycle. The motorcycle's parts are designed to be reliable for a certain period of time, but sometimes a part can break down unexpectedly, causing an accident. In that case, it's often best to consult a personal injury lawyer to determine the appropriate entities to sue for your injuries; your driver may want to go into the case with you jointly if you need to sue a corporation.
With Two Vehicles or More
With an accident that involved multiple vehicles, you're still looking for the same approach of finding the person or persons at fault. In cases like fender benders, the faulty party can be pretty obvious, but it's often obscure. Depending on the severity of the injuries, you might go directly through the insurance company or you may start a lawsuit to get more compensation.
How to Approach Compensation
The best thing to do is speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. If you need to take your case to court, this can be a lengthy process, so it's helpful to get started right away. A lawyer will look at many factors. For instance, what are the total damages in the case, including medical bills, time off work, and even pain and suffering? Were there factors that made the injury worse, such as not wearing helmets? A lawyer will have great judgment on whether a court case is worth the time and effort.