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Recovering Damages in a South Dakota Rear-End Motorcycle Crash

On Behalf of | Feb 22, 2022 | Motorcycle Accidents

A motorcycle rider with no protection beyond a helmet and heavy clothing is extremely vulnerable in a collision with a larger vehicle, especially if the bike is hit from the rear by a driver who is distracted, impaired, speeding, tailgating, or otherwise negligent. The motorcyclist could be knocked off the bike and run over by the car behind. For these reasons, the results of a rear-end bike crash generally include major property damage, catastrophic injuries, and/or death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are six times as likely as other drivers to suffer fatal traffic accidents.

Motorcycle Crash Injuries

If you’re lucky enough to survive a rear-end bike crash, the injuries you might sustain include:

  • Whiplash
  • Road rash
  • Lacerations
  • Scars and disfigurement
  • Fractured or broken bones
  • Nerve damage
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Organ damage and internal bleeding
  • Spinal cord damage and paralysis
  • Amputation

Severe injuries like these lead to very high medical expenses, as well as long-term or permanent disability in some cases. The motorist who struck you from the rear is likely at fault and responsible for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Collecting Compensation for Damages

Your first step toward collecting compensation for your damages is to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Because motorcycle wrecks result in serious injuries and high medical bills, however, the insurer is likely to dispute your claim or offer you a quick, unfairly low settlement, which you should not accept. You won’t know the value of your claim until you’ve recovered fully and received a long-term prognosis from your doctor.

While you’re recovering from your injuries, an experienced attorney can take the burden of seeking compensation off your shoulders by investigating your wreck, evaluating your claim, demanding and negotiating for a fair settlement, taking your case to trial if necessary, and overcoming any biker bias on the part of the insurer or the court. Your lawyer can also help you file a wrongful death claim if you’ve lost a loved one in a rear-end motorcycle accident.

Have You Been Rear-Ended on Your Motorcycle in SD?

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you seek fair compensation while you focus on recovery. Please contact us online, start a chat, or call us at 605-644-5003 to schedule a free consultation. We accept cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees until we win your case.

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