A motorcycle accident can have a profound impact on your life, possibly leaving you with lasting injuries and substantial medical expenses. Following a serious collision, you may find yourself overwhelmed and despondent, grappling with things like:
- Medical bills piling up
- Lost wages from missed work
- Lost capacity to work
- A challenging rehabilitation journey
- Pain and suffering
- Difficulty doing the things that used to bring you enjoyment
If you were injured in a motorcycle wreck in Carmel, Indiana, then reaching out to a motorcycle accident lawyer is an important step toward recovering from your injuries and losses.
At Yosha Law, we have a long history of assisting victims of motorcycle accidents. Over the years, our team has successfully obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for personal injury cases.
We are committed to providing dedicated support to each and every client we serve. While achieving positive outcomes is paramount, we also take pride in our compassionate approach and unwavering assistance for our clients. You can count on us to be there for you whenever you need us.
When to Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Carmel
Ideally, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can after the accident. The earlier you reach out to us, the sooner we can get started. That gives us more time to prepare for your case. Plus, we can collect evidence far more effectively in the days and weeks after the accident than we can after many months have passed.
Indiana’s statute of limitations
Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This means that your lawsuit must be filed within two years of the accident.
Please don’t wait two years to reach out to an attorney, as your lawyer and their team will need time to put together a strong case before filing.
Essential Information About Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Let’s take a look at some of the most important information about motorcycle accident lawsuits.
Plaintiffs can recover compensation – even if they were partially at fault
Motorcyclists in Indiana can file a personal injury claim for compensation even if they were partially responsible for the accident.
As long as you were less than 50% responsible, you are eligible for compensation. Indiana’s comparative fault statute means that your total compensation package will be reduced by the percentage of responsibility you bear for the accident.
For example, if the defense successfully argues that you were 20% responsible for the accident, then your compensation award would be reduced by 20% before it is paid out.
Motorcycle insurance covers some accident damages, but often not everything
All motorcycle drivers in Indiana are required by law to carry motorcycle insurance. Depending on your insurance policy, you will likely have a coverage limit. Minimum coverage limits for motorcycle insurance are similar to those for auto coverage.
Indiana’s minimum coverage limits are:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 total bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 property damage per accident
Often, accident expenses cost more than this, and there are also non-economic damages to consider.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident and are worried that you are not getting fair treatment from your insurance, now is an excellent time to consult a lawyer.
There are many types of compensation available after a motorcycle crash
Some people just think of a personal injury lawsuit as covering their medical bills, and that certainly is a big piece of most motorcycle claims. But with an effective, knowledgeable attorney, there may be available compensation for other areas of your life that have been affected by the accident.
Some examples of the compensation we have collected for our Carmel clients include:
- Medical costs (including planning for future costs)
- Missed wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional suffering and distress
- Medication costs
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Mental health therapy
We know that money won’t heal your injuries or make your pain go away. Resolving the financial burden can allow you to focus on the rest of your journey toward healing and recovery.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Carmel
Motorcycle accidents can cause a whole range of injuries, from minor to incredibly serious and even fatal.
Some of the most common injuries from bike wrecks are:
- Burn injuries
- Broken or amputated ribs
- Broken ribs
- Facial disfigurement
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Whiplash or soft tissue damage in the neck
Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Crash
Losing a loved one in a motorcycle accident is utterly heartbreaking. No amount of money can ever make up for that profound loss. However, you may be entitled to seek certain damages that could help cover expenses stemming from your loved one’s passing.
Potential compensable damages can include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical bills incurred at end of life
- Loss of the deceased’s future income
- Loss of companionship, household services, or parental guidance
- Compensation for the deceased’s pain and suffering
Like a personal injury lawsuit, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a wrongful death claim, as long as the deceased was not more than 50% responsible for the accident.
The personal representative of a deceased person’s estate can pursue litigation, but your likelihood of significant compensation increases when you work with an experienced wrongful death attorney.
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
After an accident, it’s normal to have questions – lots of questions.
At Yosha Law Firm, our attorneys work within the personal injury legal system every day, and we believe it is our responsibility to provide you with the knowledge that we have acquired through decades of experience.
What is the average payout for a motorcycle accident in Carmel, Indiana?
It would be great if we could give you a very clear answer on what you can expect from your motorcycle accident claim, but we can’t make any assumptions about your case without learning about exactly what happened and how you have been affected.
There are many factors that go into determining the amount of a settlement or court award.
These factors may include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether or not you needed surgery or a hospital stay
- Long-term care needs
- How much time you had to take off work
- Whether or not you will be able to return to your job or career
- Any disabilities or disfigurements related to your accident
- Property damage to your motorcycle
- How much you were at fault for the accident (if you were at fault at all)
Calculating the total compensation you may receive from a motorcycle accident settlement can be challenging given the many factors involved. The most effective way to get a reasonable estimate of potential damages is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
By sharing all the specifics of your case, an attorney can evaluate the full scope of your losses and provide guidance on the amount of compensation you may be entitled to under the law. Though every case is different, an attorney well-versed in motorcycle accident law can analyze the circumstances and use past case outcomes to provide an informed estimate of what you can expect to recover.
Their expertise can prove invaluable in anticipating a potential settlement or court award amount based on the merits of your personal injury claim.
How much does an Indiana motorcycle accident injury lawyer cost?
Most personal injury attorneys (including Yosha Law Firm) handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means the lawyer does not require any payment upfront.
Rather, the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the final compensation amount recovered for the client.
A typical contingency fee is 33% of the total settlement if a resolution is reached before trial. If the case goes to court and requires the lawyer’s representation at trial, the contingency fee typically increases to 40% to account for the additional time and resources needed for litigation.
It’s important to understand that the lawyer only earns a fee if money is recovered for the client. Under a contingency agreement, if your attorney does not win your case for you, then you owe nothing for the attorney’s services.
When considering legal representation for a motorcycle accident claim, choose a law firm that is transparent about its fee structure from the outset. Reputable attorneys will explain their specific contingency fee rates during an initial consultation, so there are no surprises down the road. This helps clients make informed decisions when hiring a lawyer to handle their injury claim.
How can an attorney help me negotiate with the insurance company?
Insurance companies, whether your own or the other party’s, are not looking out for your best interests following a motorcycle collision. Their priority is resolving claims quickly and inexpensively. Adjusters may use tactics like offering low settlement amounts or pressuring you for a recorded statement.
You can expect the at-fault driver’s insurer to offer a minimal initial settlement that likely does not sufficiently cover your losses. Avoid accepting the first offer without having an attorney review it first. An experienced lawyer can negotiate for a higher, fairer amount if the initial offer is inadequate.
It is also wise to refrain from providing a recorded statement to any insurance company after an accident. Insurers sometimes use this as an opportunity to get claimants to unknowingly accept fault.
An attorney can handle all communications and negotiations with insurers on your behalf.
Retaining legal counsel protects you from adjusters seeking information to undermine or underpay your claim. A knowledgeable lawyer understands these tactics and knows how to effectively counter them. With the right legal representation, you can avoid insurance company traps and obtain maximum compensation.
Yosha Law Firm – Helping Motorcycle Accident Victims in Carmel, IN
After a major motorcycle collision in Carmel, it is not advisable to handle the insurance claim process alone.
Insurance companies are not on your side, and they will seek quick, inexpensive claim resolutions. Without legal experience in claim negotiation and litigation, you could be at a major disadvantage. An attorney levels the playing field.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will provide invaluable assistance, including:
- Locating and interviewing eyewitnesses to the crash
- Investigating the accident scene and conditions like weather and traffic
- Photographing and diagramming the scene to illustrate what occurred
- Reviewing your medical evidence and injuries
- Negotiating with involved parties and insurers to maximize compensation
- Taking the case to court if necessary and representing your best interests
At Yosha Law Firm, we have the expertise to handle motorcycle injury cases, and also to provide compassionate support. We treat clients like family during an incredibly difficult time. Our goal is to aggressively pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
If you were seriously injured in a Carmel motorcycle collision, do not go it alone. With an attorney on your side, you can focus on recovery while we work to obtain justice. Our experience can make all the difference in these complex cases.
Call Yosha Law today for a free consultation and case review of your motorcycle accident.
