Did you know that the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries is motor vehicle crashes, including motorcycle accidents? According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, crashes account for up to 70% of these injuries.
Other upper body injuries after a bike crash are also common, including those to the neck, head, and spinal column. Because these injuries are so severe, focusing on your recovery is vital, including following these 4 tips from a motorcycle injury lawyer.
1. Seek Medical Treatment Right Away
The most important thing you can do for your recovery is to see a doctor immediately after the crash. You should do this even if you think you’re not injured or your injuries aren’t severe enough to warrant a visit.
Your injuries may be more severe than you initially thought, or you could have an injury that hasn’t manifested any symptoms yet. A doctor’s visit is crucial to protect your health and your case. An insurance company can argue that a failure to seek medical treatment means you weren’t injured, making it difficult to collect motorcycle injury compensation later.
2. Follow Through With Recommended Treatments
Based on your injuries, your doctor will give you specific instructions about taking medications or doing treatment protocols. Be sure to follow the doctor’s orders, including attending all scheduled appointments with your physician, physical therapist, or other medical professionals.
Suppose you’re concerned about paying for all of these visits while your case is being settled. In that case, your bike accident attorney can negotiate a medical lien or other financial arrangement to ensure that you don’t have to pay the full fee (or ideally any fee) for your visits until your case is finalized and you receive a settlement check.
3. Minimize Stress As Much As Possible
There’s no question that a motorcycle wreck can affect your physical and mental health. Further, the recovery process can be incredibly painful and stressful. Anxiety, nightmares, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), flashbacks, and other mental health conditions are all common after a crash.
Because mental health is so closely linked to physical healing, reducing stress should be a top priority in your recovery process. Top ways to reduce stress include eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of sleep, listening to music you enjoy, and finding ways to laugh.
During this time, reach out to friends, family members, and others who care about you for emotional support. Having a solid and caring community can be essential while you face the challenges of recovery.
4. Contact a Motorcycle Injury Lawyer
You might be tempted to let the insurance companies hash everything out. However, insurance companies rarely, if ever, have your best interests in mind. Instead, they are looking for any feasible way to reduce a settlement offer or find a way to assign fault for motorcycle accident claims to you – the victim!
A motorcycle wreck lawyer can be instrumental in protecting your rights. Your attorney will gather evidence about the crash to prove that the other party was at fault, file any necessary paperwork, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Trying to do this on your own can be challenging or downright impossible, and a motorcycle accident attorney can do all this heavy lifting for you.
Fast-Track Your Recovery With the Help of an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The team at Stewart & Stewart Attorneys is dedicated to helping motorcycle accident victims recover physically and financially from a wreck. You need an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer on your side. Call us at (317) 827-7934 for a free consultation.