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Motorcycles are not known for their crashworthiness. Unlike enclosed passenger vehicles, they have no “crumple zone,” making riders incredibly vulnerable in the force of impact. In fact, more than 5,000 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2016 alone.

Riders who are fortunate enough to survive wrecks are likely to sustain serious injuries, although they may not necessarily be apparent at first. Therefore, even if you are able to walk away from a motorcycle accident, it’s essential to visit a doctor as soon as possible. Here are the two main reasons why:

  1. To Protect Your Health 

How you feel immediately following a motorcycle accident is not necessarily indicative of your condition. At the end of the day, it is not uncommon for impact injuries to manifest latent symptoms. Without immediate medical intervention, serious complications can arise.

For example, the symptoms of whiplash may not be apparent for 24 hours or more after the impact. Likewise, internal bleeding—which can be life-threatening—may not show symptoms for days. And traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can be the most devastating of all, may not present any obvious symptoms for weeks. 

  1. To Validate Your Claim 

Personal injury claimants have an obligation to mitigate their damages. That means they must take reasonable steps to avoid contributing to the severity of their injuries. Such steps include seeking medical care within a timely manner and following their doctor’s orders once treatment begins.

If you do not visit a physician for days or even weeks after the motorcycle accident, the opposing party may be able to argue that you are at least partially liable for the damages you incur. Likewise, if you seek adequate care but do not follow the recommended course of action—perhaps you return to work before your doctor says it is okay, for example—you may be found responsible for some percentage of the damages.

In Minnesota, this could reduce the total compensation to which you are entitled significantly. Courts in Minnesota follow a modified comparative fault system when awarding damages in personal injury cases.

Under this system, plaintiffs who are deemed partially liable can still recover compensation for the damages they incur; however, their total award will be reduced by their own percentage of fault. Additionally, if it is determined that they are more than 50 percent at fault, they will be barred from recovering any compensation at all. 

Call 800-770-7008 to Speak with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Minneapolis 

If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for all resulting damages. To determine if you have grounds for a claim, turn to Bradshaw & Bryant.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers understand the physical, emotional, and financial stress that catastrophic injuries can place on you and your loved ones. Call 320-259-5414 or use our Online Contact Form to set up a free case evaluation with a personal injury attorney in Minneapolis.

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