The aftermath of any motor vehicle accident is indeed terrifying. Motorcycle accidents occur frequently and can result in more damage than truck or car accidents. In a world where people depend on high-speed commuting to manage their daily lives, accidents are bound to occur. But motorcycle accidents commonly have the most devastating consequences. A motorcycle accident can leave a terrible, long term impact on an injured person’s life.
While an accident can happen in an instant, its traumatic repercussions can leave a frightening economic and emotional impact for the rest of the victim’s life. This is where a lawyer plays not only the role of legal advisor and counselor, but may also become a financial savior for a victim suffering the repercussions of a motorcycle accident. The primary purpose for this post is to talk about the many ways a motorcycle accident can affect someone’s life. So, without further adieu, let us discuss several of them in turn.
To deal with property damages…
One of the more obvious consequences to a motorcycle accident is damage or loss to the vehicle. If you have been involved in a severe crash, your motorcycle may have been totaled or rendered inoperable, requiring significant repairs. If you do not have an alternative form of transportation or the money to purchase repairs or a new vehicle, this could become an enormous inconvenience.
Realizing how painful the circumstances and wounds are…
The severity of a motorcycle accident injury is not always fully understood during the immediate aftermath of an accident. You may have visible injuries at first, like skin lacerations or road rash. You are likely to immediately experience a significant amount of pain, requiring medication to manage it.
You might also have suffered from broken bones or other significant internal or external injuries that are less visible or immediately apparent, and can result in long term chronic pain or lasting immobility. Long term disabilities, such as difficulty walking or standing without support, may not manifest themselves completely until the weeks or months following the accident.
A Thorough Medical Treatment Becomes More Important than Money…
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you may require a range of healthcare services such as emergency transport immediately following the accident. Additionally, you may require consultations from physicians, specialists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals who provide medical treatments, diagnoses, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Healthcare services like this take time and cost money.
Imbalance in Work-life…
You might be hospitalized immediately following the accident or forced to undergo surgery followed by a long recovery period. The injury might also demand further rehabilitation after medical intervention before you are safely able to resume working.
If you have suffered significant injuries, it can be incredibly depressing to be forced out of work for several months. When you are away from work for an extended period, your financial outlook can appear bleak. This may be even more economically catastrophic for people who are self-employed.
When you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident as the victim of someone else’s negligence, do not expect anyone to pay your lost wages or health care bills without a fight. The other driver’s insurance company will find ways to reduce the amount it must pay. The negotiation process can take many months or sometimes years.
You may have some short term options through your employer to alleviate some of the financial distress caused by lost wages. For example, you may have saved sick leave and vacation time that can be used during your early days of convalescence.
If you require additional time, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may protect your job under certain circumstances. These are only your first lines of defense. An experienced attorney will explain your full range of options.
Inability to Perform Household Chores…
After experiencing a devastating accident, injuries might prevent you from performing everyday household chores. Driving children to school, cooking, and gardening are some of the common household chores that you may no longer be able to perform. After the accident, it might become simply impossible for you to perform these and other daily activities due to pain and disability. Becoming disabled may further affect your emotional state, as it can lead to additional financial and mental stress.
Adjusting to the Current Earning Capacity…
Another devastating effect of being injured as a result of a motorcycle accident is readjusting to a lesser earning capacity. When you have been catastrophically and irreversibly injured in an accident, you may be unable to return to your prior job because you can no longer keep up with its physical demands. This is yet another of the many issues that you could face following a bike accident.
There is no denying that the aftermath of a motorcycle accident is stressful and traumatic for the victims. If you want to improve your life and financial footing following a motorcycle accident, you can always contact a legal professional to explore options.
Samuel Fishman is an experienced Philadelphia Motorcycle accident lawyer who can take up your case and work to obtain the compensation that you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses, property and other damages. He has decades of experience winning complex personal injury cases.