Motorists continue to experience an increase in injuries and fatalities resulting from motorcycle accidents.
Research shows that there has been a lot of concern on injuries such as spinal cord, whiplash injuries, but little attention is accorded to thoracic injuries from motorcycle accidents.
If you have suffered from thoracic injuries after a motorcycle accident due to someone’s negligence, you may have a claim.
However, you will need strong evidence for your case.
Thoracic Injuries After A Motorcycle Accident
Research recorded in the US National Library Of Medicine shows that motorcyclists, especially the older generation, are more likely to suffer from thoracic injuries after a motorcycle accident.
This means that multiple cases are filed for victim’s compensation.
The fact that motorcyclists are vulnerable to injuries due to direct contact with cars makes it possible to have chest injuries.
If you have been in a motorcycle accident and have started experiencing the below symptoms, there is a high probability you may be suffering from thoracic injuries.
- Pain while breathing
- Heart pain with tightness or burning of the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
Thoracic injuries may also result to:
- Lung injuries associated with chest trauma.
- Fractured ribs resulting from blunt injuries to the chest wall.
Motorcyclist physical protection is a significant concern when it comes to injuries suffered. But the location of the injury or the severity may help indicate the risk of the injuries suffered. To determine such, you need an experienced doctor to conduct a test to determine whether your injuries may have emanated from the accident.
Settlement For Your Thoracic Injuries
The settlement of your thoracic injuries will depend on the seriousness of your injuries. For instance, if a victim has suffered from blunt thoracic injuries, chances of developing life-threatening conditions or even death are much higher. The best way is to have a lawyer for motorcycle accident settlement handle your case to determine the best compensation.
The medical special damages will occupy the greatest percentage of your financial recovery. The insurance adjuster is mainly concerned with:
- Who caused the injuries.
- The injuries you sustained.
- The extent of your injuries.
The above will be the basis of your settlement talk and your thoracic injuries will be used to set the valuation. This then calls for an independent medical examination (IME) to verify the existence of your injuries. The IME will help determine the:
- The extent of your injuries.
- The physical or mental suffering the victim may have undergone.
It has to be determined that your thoracic injuries are not related to a different cause other than the accident. To protect your interests, you should ensure the examining doctor has no relationship with the insurance adjuster to avoid bias.
Thoracic injuries are among the injuries that require extensive medical treatment due to their risk factor. Thus, it’s vital to ensure you get the best settlement that will cater to your past, current, and future expenses related to the motorcycle accident.
For your claim worth, you will have to consider the issue of negligence and what such negligence caused. For instance, you have to show that a motorist crossed a lane while turning and you swerved off to avoid the collision.
Again, you need to clearly show to what extent you suffered losses because of the motorist’s negligent act. The more evidence you can prove, the higher the chance of getting a better settlement.
You need a lawyer to guide you on how to calculate your personal injury damages. Where severe injuries are involved, stakes are usually high. This means that it may be impossible to work without a lawyer.
Your lawyer can negotiate for a settlement or help you file a claim. Settling with an insurance company is a practice that is considered to use less time and money. Thus, acting quickly and with the best evidence will likely increase your chance of getting a fair resolution.
Once you have been injured, it makes sense to give notice to the at-fault driver insurance company. This is the work of your lawyer.
This way, you preserve your chances of protecting your rights. For instance, the insurance adjuster may argue that you waited too long before notifying them of your injuries. Prompt communication will also help you prepare for a trial if the settlement is not favorable.
Also, you can protect your rights by getting a copy of the police report or your medical records to check for any disparity to be pointed out by the insurance company.
Seek Legal Advice
If you have been a victim or lost a loved one due to thoracic injuries emanating from a motorcycle accident, you need legal help.
For your legal representation, it would be better to look for a lawyer who has handled similar cases. You can consult an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who will offer a free consultation to understand your case.