Motorcycle Accident FAQ
Attorney Plotnick Knows the Law
What should you do after a motorcycle accident? What are your legal rights? These are the questions people often ask us when they contact the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC in Rockville, Maryland. They call us because Stuart Plotnick has a well-earned reputation for being a hard-working motorcycle accident attorney who knows how to get results. That's because he has decades of experience and never backs down from a challenging case. Find out what we can do for you. Schedule your free case evaluation with us as soon as possible.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I call the police after my motorcycle accident?
- What if the other driver doesn't want to contact police after an accident?
- Should I see a doctor after my motorcycle crash if I feel fine?
- If I wasn't wearing a helmet at the time of my motorcycle accident, will my case be affected?
- What are the consequences of a motorcycle accident?
- Should I talk to insurance investigators if they call after my motorcycle accident?
- Should I accept a settlement offer for my motorcycle accident?
- Can I negotiate for more money for my motorcycle crash?
- What types of damages can I recover in a motorcycle accident case?
- What if the insurance company refuses to negotiate with me after my accident?
- Should I file a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
- How much is my motorcycle accident worth?
- Why should I hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
Should I call the police after my motorcycle accident?
Yes. You should always call the police if you have been in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver. That's because there may be a dispute later about exactly what happened. Even if you know the other driver clearly caused your crash, they might later try to deny doing anything wrong - or even try to blame you for causing the crash. That's why it's critical that you have a police officer there independently investigating your accident and documenting what occurred.
What if the other driver doesn't want to contact police after an accident?
Insist on having the police there at your accident. Insurance companies often carefully review official police accident reports when determining if or how much to compensate accident victims. That's why it's important to have the police respond to your accident. And if the other driver refuses, call the police anyway. It's the law, especially if anyone was injured in the accident.
Should I see a doctor after my motorcycle crash if I feel fine?
Yes. Don't try to diagnose yourself. Motorcycle accidents often cause serious injuries, including internal injuries which might not be apparent immediately after an accident. That's why it's important to have a medical professional examine you right away after your crash. Otherwise, your health could be at risk due to internal bleeding, organ damage or a traumatic brain injury.
If I wasn't wearing a helmet at the time of my motorcycle accident, will my case be affected?
If you were not wearing a helmet when your motorcycle accident occurred, you can still bring forward a personal injury claim against the negligent driver who caused your accident as not wearing a helmet did not cause the accident. However, your failure to wear protection may influence the amount of compensation you are able to recover because without a helmet you expose yourself to greater injury, particularly to your head and neck. Keep in mind that in most jurisdictions, wearing a helmet is the law. However, this should not prevent you from making a claim (assuming you did not cause the accident). Know for certain by contacting a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney today. Call 301-251-1286.
What are the consequences of a motorcycle accident?
Without the protection of an enclosure, motorcycle riders are much more vulnerable to catastrophic injury in a motorcycle accident. Victims are often left with disabling pain, financial hardship, physical therapy, head injuries, road burn, and other difficulties that not only impact them, but impact their entire family. When another driver's split-second carelessness causes a motorcycle accident, they can and should be held accountable.
Depending on the extent and severity of your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Ongoing medical care
- Current and future lost income
- Disfigurement
- Loss of ability to work or to perform essential daily functions
- Property damage
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering due to the impact and trauma of the accident
You will need to make a case for certain damages (e.g. medical expenses and lost income) by proving the losses you have endured, and will incur in the future.
Should I talk to insurance investigators if they call after my motorcycle accident?
No. If someone from the other driver's insurance company contacts you after your motorcycle accident, politely tell the insurance investigator to contact our law firm if they need any additional information. If you have not hired a lawyer yet, then tell them somebody will be in touch with them once you have retained an attorney. Even seemingly innocent questions could be used as evidence by insurance companies to reduce or deny your accident claim.
Should I accept the first settlement offer made by the insurance company for my motorcycle accident?
If you accept an insurance company's initial settlement offer, you are most likely accepting far less compensation than you deserve, and at the same time you are releasing the other driver from further liability for your motorcycle accident forever. Keep in mind that you cannot come back again for more compensation once you have accepted a settlement. Insurance companies want you to accept a quick settlement so they can protect their financial interests. It may be weeks or months before the full extent of your injuries is clear. Until then, the true value of your injury claim cannot be accurately judged. So, do not be hasty to take a quick offer until you have a clean bill of health from a doctor. There are simply too many unknowns in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident to make an initial settlement worth accepting. In order to protect your rights, you should always discuss your case with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer before taking any action.
Can I negotiate for more money for my motorcycle crash?
Yes. And you should do so in most cases. Always negotiate! Insurance companies want you to believe you have to accept whatever amount of money they offer you after your motorcycle accident. But the truth is you can ask for more money after your accident. And when you do, make sure you consider the long-term costs of your motorcycle accident. If you cannot work for weeks or months at a time, you need to make sure you receive the financial compensation you deserve to cover all your accident-related expenses.
What types of damages can I recover in a motorcycle accident case?
Every case is different. The compensation you are able to recover in your case will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding your motorcycle accident and injuries suffered. Some of the key factors that will be considered are:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- Whether or not you have a job, and how long were you unable to work-lost income
- What type of job you have, and whether your injury impacts your ability to return to or perform in your profession in normal capacity
- If you have any scarring, disfigurement, or other permanent injuries that will now impact your ability to have the same level of activity or enjoyment of life as you did before
- Whether you are married or single, have a family, etc.
Overall, injured victims of motorcycle accidents are entitled to damages for medical bills, lost income, future projected lost income, lost ability to work, pain and suffering, and property damages just as victims of car and other accidents are.
What if the insurance company refuses to negotiate with me after my accident?
Don't let insurance companies dictate what happens to you. Contact our law firm. We can negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company. Attorney Stuart L. Plotnick knows what to do because he used to work as a lawyer for the insurance companies. Such inside knowledge gave him unique insights into how the insurance industry works. That's why he has a strong track record of success and wants to work with you.
Should I file a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
Perhaps. Sometimes, a lawsuit is the best way to obtain the compensation you deserve after your motorcycle accident. But it's not the only way. That's why we want to meet with you. We can explain all the legal options available to you. Then you can decide which course of action you would like us to pursue on your behalf.
How much is my motorcycle accident worth?
Every motorcycle accident is different. Some crashes might be worth a few hundred or few thousand dollars. Others could potentially be worth millions of dollars. What's the difference? Many different factors often come into play, including:
- Medical expenses, including short- and long-term
- Loss of income due to not being able to work
- Severity of injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or losses
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Other circumstances, including the driver being intoxicated
Don't underestimate the value of your accident. It's also important to remember that if you don't obtain the money you deserve, you could end up paying for your accident out of your own pocket - even if you didn't do anything to cause your crash.
Why should I hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
After a motorcycle accident, you only have one opportunity to get the money you rightfully deserve for your crash. That's why it's critical that you have someone on your side who thoroughly understands the law and knows how to get results.
Attorney Stuart L. Plotnick has practiced law in Maryland and surrounding areas for nearly three decades. Part of that time, he worked as a lawyer for insurance companies. That's why he knows how to anticipate and react to every move insurance companies make to avoid paying motorcycle accident victims the money they rightfully deserve.
That's not right. That's why we're eager to meet with you and help you. We believe injury victims should not have to pay for other people's reckless behavior. We believe you deserve the time to recover at your own pace, without worrying about financial ruin. We believe in justice. Contact our law firm and schedule your free case evaluation right now.