Motorcycle enthusiasts know that there’s nothing quite as liberating as taking to the highway on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, motorcyclists also know that cars being less likely to see them, inclement weather and road conditions all increase the odds of a potentially horrific accident. Here are some of the challenges that you will have to deal with in the weeks and months following a motorcycle accident.

Severe Injuries

Motorcyclists are much more likely to die than drivers or passengers of other vehicles when involved in a crash. Each year, the average number of motorcycle fatalities hovers around 5,000.

Even for motorcyclists that survive the crash, the odds of suffering severe injuries are also much higher than for car drivers. Motorcyclists in crashes can suffer head, neck, and back injuries that can leave them with lifelong conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, seizures and chronic pain. While wearing a helmet helps to decrease the odds of these injuries, they are not completely avoidable.

Financial Costs

After your crash, you will likely suddenly find yourself with all sorts of financial costs in addition to the medical bills that come from your recovery. For example, you may have to pay a hefty price in order to repair the damage to your motorcycle. In addition, your insurance rates could increase considerably if a court determines that the crash was partially or totally your fault.

Settlement Negotiations And Lawsuits

After your crash, you will likely find yourself in settlement negotiations with the insurance company of the driver responsible for the accident, or with your own insurance company. If these negotiations do not give you the result that you need to recover financially from your accident, then you might have to resort to filing a potentially lengthy lawsuit.

Even if you feel that you were not at fault for the accident, it’s possible that the other driver could be the one to initiate a lawsuit against you. If this is the case, you will have to hire an attorney and prepare a counterclaim to defend yourself against the charges and seek compensation for your physical and financial injuries.

A motorcycle crash can unexpectedly change your life in the blink of an eye. What you do during the first few days and weeks following your crash could spell the difference between a successful financial recovery and being stuck with overwhelming costs that can set you back considerably.