Seeking Compensation for Broken Bones After a Motorcycle Accident
In a recent year, it was estimated that about 83,000 riders sustained broken bones in motorcycle accidents. Anyone who has experienced a fracture knows the excruciating pain that accompanies it. If not treated promptly or set correctly, there is a risk of reduced mobility and permanent disfigurement. Compensation for a broken bone may involve financial and non-financial damages, helping you to become “whole” again. Given the challenges of seeking damages, it is essential that you speak with the Rutherford County motorcycle accident lawyers at Raybin & Weissman.
Types of Bone Fractures in Motorcycle Crashes
A fracture, or broken bone, can occur due to trauma. Common types of fractures in a motorcycle accident include pelvic fractures, clavicle (collarbone) fractures, rib fractures, patella (knee) fractures, and femoral fractures. The femoral bone is the strongest bone in the body, located in the upper thigh. It takes a great deal of force to break this bone. Given the vulnerability of a motorcyclist, it is estimated that the femur is broken in approximately 94% of motorcycle collisions that result in an upper thigh injury.
Damages in a Motorcycle Accident
Compensation in a motorcycle accident will depend on your losses. Awarding damages is the law’s attempt to make a motorcycle accident victim “whole” again. Motorcyclists who sustain broken bones in a crash often experience lost wages and expenses related to emergency room care, medical imaging, surgeries, and physical therapy. Economic damages encompass any financial losses caused by an accident. Economic damages are easily quantifiable. If your injuries are particularly severe or you suffer long-term effects, you may be able to collect compensation for estimated future lost earnings and medical expenses.
While economic damages have a direct monetary value, noneconomic damages are not as easily calculated. Non-economic damages typically include any intangible losses that impact your quality of life. Common non-economic damages in a motorcycle accident may encompass pain and suffering, negligent infliction of emotional distress, scarring and/or disfigurement, loss of companionship and society, and permanent disability. It is often more challenging to get compensation for non-economic damages, which is why it is crucial that you work with experienced counsel who can advocate for you.
Statute of Limitations for a Tennessee Motorcycle Accident Claim
Most jurisdictions implement a strict timeline for how long personal injury victims can seek legal recourse, and the state of Tennessee is no exception. According to Tenn. Code. Ann. §28-3-104 (a)(1), motorcycle accident victims (and all personal injury victims for that matter) have one year to take legal action following an incident. The law puts this restriction in place so that evidence does not become stale. For example, fingerprints may be unreliable, and a witness’s account of events may become foggy as more time has passed.
However, there are certain situations that can pause or “toll” the statute of limitations, giving you more time to file your claim. Common exceptions include mental incapacity, if the injured party is a minor, or if the injured party did not become aware of their injuries until a later date (known as the “discovery rule”). Given all these variables, even if you believe that the statute of limitations has run out, you should speak with our legal team to see what options may be available.
Contact Our Rutherford County Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
At Raybin & Weissman, we understand the gravity that a motorcycle accident can have on your day-to-day life and future plans. If you or a family member has experienced broken bones or other serious injuries following a motorcycle accident, our legal team would like to speak with you. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation with one of our Rutherford County motorcycle accident lawyers, our office can be reached online or by phone at (615) 256-6666 today.