When a passenger is injured on a motorcycle they almost always have a valid personal injury claim in Kentucky. Motorcycle accidents happen quickly, often when a car or truck pulls out in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Perhaps a car unexpectedly and without looking changes lanes and runs into the bike you’re riding upon.
One minute everything is fine and the next minute you are on the ground and perhaps seriously injured. My name is John Schmidt and as a Louisville area personal injury attorney with more than 25 years of experience I can tell you two things:
- It will be a while before you genuinely know the extent of your injuries and how they are going to affect your life in the coming months and years, and
- You’re going to need an experienced personal injury attorney.
The Insurance Company is not “On Your Side…”
The next thing you need to know is the primary goal and job responsibility of any insurance adjuster (and representative) is to get you to accept the lowest possible dollar amount for your personal injury claim. They want you to settle quickly. They will attempt to get you to say things that can be used against you later.
The simple question of “how are you?” is actually a very loaded question. Many people will answer with something to the effect of “I’m ok” or “I’m thankful I wasn’t more seriously hurt.” The insurance rep’s job is to get you to say things and ultimately make decisions that will cost you literally tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The best “policy” is this: Do not speak with anyone, especially an insurance adjuster or your own insurance agent, until you have spoken with an experienced personal injury attorney at John Schmidt & Associates, PLLC.
The initial call is free. There is no cost to you out of pocket for our services. We work on a contingency fee basis and are only paid after you are paid.
You have the right to recover for the injuries you’ve sustained, and all related past, present and future hospital and medical bills and expenses related to those injuries. You have the right to compensation for missed work (and lost wages) as well as full and fair compensation for having to endure the injury itself, the process of recovery and living with them from here forward. When a passenger is injured on a motorcycle there is always a source for recovery.
You Will Receive Substantially More If Represented by an Attorney
Nolo recently published a study that showed 91% of personal injury claims represented by an attorney received a settlement, compared to only 51% of people who handled things themselves. The same study showed the average study of settlements involving an attorney averaged $77,600 compared to $17,600 for those who represented themselves.
The Insurance Research Council (IRC) itself found that 85% of all the money paid out in insurance settlements for bodily injury claims was paid to people who were represented by lawyers.
If the accident was the fault of the driver of your motorcycle then their own insurance coverage is primarily responsible for covering your injuries. If your injuries were the result of an accident caused by another vehicle the driver of that vehicle is financially responsible for your personal injury claim and all associated expenses.
When a passenger is injured on a motorcycle in Jefferson, Bullitt, Hardin, Spencer, Shelby and Oldham counties they should seek immediate medical attention, even if they think they are uninjured. Many injuries can take weeks or even months to present symptoms. If you do not see a trauma physician within 48 hours of any collision the validity of any resulting personal injury claim may be challenged.
The next step is simply to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the important advice and counsel required to protect your personal injury claim and achieve fair and full compensation for having to sustain, endure and recover from your injuries.
Let the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates, PLLC manage all of the legal issues so that you will be free to focus on recovering from what has happened.
