If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you likely know just how damaging they can be. In fact, people can sustain more damage after a motorcycle accident than after the average car accident, due to the fact that they are more exposed on the motorcycle. As such, it makes a lot of sense to encourage someone to file a lawsuit after they have been the victim of a motorcycle accident.
Who Should Be Sued?
A victim who has been injured in a motorcycle accident can sue a few different parties that were involved. The most obvious person to sue is the other driver, or drivers, that were involved in the accident. However, you have to make sure that you are able to establish that they were indeed at fault for the accident. If the equipment on the bike malfunctioned and that is what caused the accident, you may be able to sue the manufacturers or motorcycle dealership. If it is road conditions, you may be able to sue the government authority that was responsible for maintaining that specific road.
What Kinds of Damages Are Involved?
The purpose of suing for damages after a motorcycle accident is so that the victim can be in a position comparable to the one he or she would have been in had the accident not occurred. There are different types of damages for which one can sue. The primary type is compensatory damages, which are repayments of any costs that are directly associated with the injury, such as vehicle repairs, medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity for any victim that has been injured permanently. General damages are less straightforward and include payment for pain and suffering, as well as loss of quality of life. Punitive damages are paid when the act was intentional or some kind of harm was intended. It can be difficult to navigate through exactly what kind of damages you are seeking. This is why it would be very helpful to work with a motorcycle accident attorney such as those at law firms like Jaklitsch Law Group who have the expertise and experience to be able to help you.
As you can see, people who are victims of motorcycle accidents have a lot to consider when they are thinking about suing for damages. However, it is certainly advisable to sue for damages if you believe that you can win your case, because of all the damage that can be done by the accident to your body and your life.
About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her husky Snowball. You can find her on Twitter at @LizzieWeakley and on Facebook at facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
