A motorcycle accident, no matter how minor, can be a traumatic event which can affect you both physically and mentally. Immediately following an incident, you may not be aware of the fact you are able to make a claim, or it may be that years later you experience effects as a direct consequence of what happened. Motorcycle accident solicitors like Wafer Phillips understand that each claim needs handling differently and are there to help.
What can you claim for after a motorcycle accident?
you can make a claim if you have been physically injured after an accident, but also for the impact it has had on your mental health such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). You can also claim for damage to your bike and clothing. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you may be able to claim for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering. You can claim for injuries to anyone riding with you too.
When can you make a claim following a motorcycle accident?
You should make a claim as soon as you possibly can because there is a statute of limitations on filing a personal injury claim in the UK. For an accident you were involved in which wasn’t your fault, you have up to three years to make a claim. You may also consider making a claim too if you were partly to blame for the accident.
Why is it important to have the help of a motorcycle accident solicitor?
Experienced motorcycle accident solicitors will work with you to achieve the best possible outcome for your claim. If you have already been in a motorcycle accident, you will understand just how overwhelming the experience can be. Having to navigate an aftermath of pain, recovery, prescription costs, loss of earnings and on top of that having to reach an agreement with insurance companies can all be extremely stressful. For that reason, there is a risk that you decide to accept a compensation offer that doesn’t accurately reflect the impact the accident has had on your life. Indeed, you may not even realise the things you can claim for. If you don’t know what motorcycle accident solicitors can and will do for you, then read on:
They will explain the legal process
Whether you receive compensation or not depends upon many complex factors, and if you are unfamiliar with the law on motorcycle accidents it’s easy to feel completely out of your depth. This is where the legal specialist will help, not only in providing you with valuable support but by ensuring you understand fully your legal rights and the bearing they have on your case.
They will collect evidence
Motorcycle accident solicitors are there to help you to build your case. You need to collect evidence to prove the accident occurred and caused your injuries, that you suffered damages as a result, and another’s negligence caused the accident. They will help you collect things like photographs of the scene, usually from the police but maybe also from people who were taking pictures with mobile phones at the time (it happens). Eyewitness statements, medical and police records are also important because together they can demonstrate the cause of the accident and who was actually responsible. Think about it. A motorbike accident can happen in an instant, and even though you’re involved, you may not know the reason why it occurred. A lawyer will be on the trail of evidence to answer that question for you
They’ll wait
Although a claim needs to be made quickly, you don’t want to rush into the process when you don’t know the extent of your injuries and how long recovery might take. Let’s face it; without knowing the long-term prognosis it could mean you don’t receive adequate compensation for what has happened to you. By ensuring they have all the evidence, can understand the extent of your recovery, and have details of all your past and future medical expenses, they can then work out the compensation you require.
They’ll help you get medical aid
If the accident involves life-changing injuries, you’ll need the best medical help. You may require specialist therapies and equipment. Motorcycle accident solicitors can not only help with this but obtain the support of medical professionals who can describe the long-term effects of the accident and who will be able to appear in court on your behalf if necessary.
They’ll be able to quantify your claim for…
∙Medical expenses
This will be the amount you need to pay for your medical treatment. While the NHS is brilliant when it comes to essential medical treatment, there may be costs incurred for things like physical therapy. If this is ongoing, the amount of compensation you receive needs to take this into account.
∙Pain and suffering
This is a hard one to quantify, but again, it is something that a legal expert will consider when calculating how much you receive.
∙Loss of earnings
Not only will your solicitor calculate the income you will have missed out on as a consequence of the accident but also work out future earnings that may be lost, as well as money relating to any disability you may suffer.
∙Damage to property
This could be for the repair or replacement of your motorbike or the funds to clear the debt if it is one you have rented.
Motorcycle accident solicitors will also employ medical professionals to interpret medical records obtained from your doctors and serve as an intermediary between you and your medical team.
How Wafer Phillips can help with motorcycle accident claims
Your motorcycle accident solicitors at Wafer Phillips can get a real grasp on the value of your claim and argue the case with your insurance company for a specified amount based on your specific circumstances. If this sounds like something you would like to pursue and you would like to talk to one of our motorcycle accident solicitors then do not hesitate to contact us to arrange a no-obligation consultation.