As a biker, you are well aware of the dangers of being in a crash with another vehicle. Unfortunately, bikers are often unnoticed by other drivers. If you have been sideswiped by a car when riding your bike, you have suffered damages.
You can recover compensation for these damages by filing a personal injury claim against the liable party. Common damages include property damages, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Injuries That Might Result from Being Sideswiped by a Car
Being sideswiped by a car is a rather serious crash that can lead to a variety of injuries. Any of these injuries will take time for a recovery, involve extensive medical care, and result in lost wages. You will also have pain and suffering during this time.
Here are some injuries that you could suffer in this crash:
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Broken arm - The impact can result in a broken arm, which takes several weeks to heal. Severe breaks might require surgical intervention.
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Serious lacerations - Sutures will be needed for serious lacerations, and they are very painful injuries. It might take weeks or months for a full recovery.
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Concussion - Hitting your head is serious, even if you are wearing a helmet. A concussion can lead to headaches, confusion, memory loss, blurred vision and more. It can take a long recovery period to get over a concussion.
Keep copies of your medical records as well as any bills and receipts for medical care or prescriptions. Take photos of visible injuries as well.
Damages to Your Motorcycle
Being sideswiped can cause some major damage to your bike. Most likely, your bike is inoperable and will need to be towed after the crash, just as in other motorcycle accident scenarios. Here are some damages that might result from being sideswiped by a car.
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Paint - Your bike will suffer scratches and damage to the paint, so it will need a new paint job after the crash.
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Dents and dings - There will be dents and dings in the gas tank, fenders, and other body parts. These might require extensive repairs.
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Totaled bike - If the damage is too severe to make repairing the bike economical, it will be totaled and you will need to buy a replacement bike.
Keep tow bills, copies of written estimates of repairs, and receipts for any parts or repairs that you have done. These documents are needing for negotiating the property damage portion of your personal injury claim.
If possible, take pictures of the damages your bike suffered in the crash as additional supporting documentation.
Get Help Today
If you have been involved in a bike crash where you were sideswiped by a car, you can recover compensation through a personal injury claim. Because of the complexity of such claims, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who is familiar with motorcycle accident law, as motorcycle accidents can be different than auto accidents.
Working on a contingency basis, you will not have any up front costs and the lawyer won't get paid until you get compensated for your damages. Schedule a free case evaluation today.
A statute of limitations does apply, so you should file a claim right away.