Gathering evidence, such as accident scene photos and videos, vehicle maintenance records, and medical records, is essential after a motorcycle accident. This evidence can help you and your lawyer build a strong case.
At Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, we’ve recovered more than $3 billion in recoveries in our 18 years of experience. Our Birmingham motorcycle accident lawyers explain more about the evidence needed for a motorcycle accident case.3
Scene Photos and Videos
Capturing compelling visual evidence of the crash scene through photos and videos could provide powerful support in your case. As your attorneys, here are some examples of photo evidence that is needed for a motorcycle accident case:
- Photos of your motorcycle, the vehicle positions, and the overall scene layout will help determine what occurred and will give jurors a clear picture.
- Close-up shots of all vehicles showing damaged areas can align with testimony. Such photos may disprove theories that go against causation conclusions.
- Images of roadway conditions, markings, signage, and traffic controls address whether safety design flaws were a contributing factor.
- Photos or videos clearly depicting traffic flows, speeds, and actions of all drivers involved could reveal who violated right-of-way rules or was riding negligently.
- Timestamps on digital media are important to correlate with witness statements on the timing of events.
- Weather and lighting level photos rule out those as crash causal factors or visibility impairment issues.
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Maintenance Records Help Establish Possible Negligence
Documentation showing the condition of all vehicles involved in the accident, including your motorcycle, is important evidence that our team will aim to obtain. Maintenance records can help provide insight into mechanical reliability and rule out potential alternative explanations for what caused the crash.
Records demonstrating that the other driver regularly maintained their vehicle and had proper servicing done make it difficult for them to argue that mechanical defects or failures were contributing factors. If their vehicle was not well-maintained, that could suggest it was unroadworthy and potentially hazardous on the roadway. On the other hand, receipts showing you performed recommended maintenance on your motorcycle help address any attempts to blame equipment failure on your part.
Medical Documentation
Thorough medical records documenting your treatment and the progression of injuries sustained in the accident are vital for your case. Comprehensive records from all treating physicians, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and other healthcare providers help demonstrate the full extent of the injuries caused directly by the crash. This medical evidence improves our team’s ability to prove causation and refute any attempts to downplay the nature or severity of harm.
Ongoing documentation of prognosis and future treatment needs will also strengthen our ability to recover damages to compensate for all losses suffered as a result of another’s negligence. While establishing liability is important, awarding fair and complete compensation depends upon thorough proof of injuries and their long-term impacts. We will work diligently to obtain all relevant medical documentation to support the strongest possible outcome for your specific circumstances.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Accident Case?
There are several types of damages that you may be eligible for after your motorcycle accident. A Birmingham personal injury lawyer can help you recover:
- Medical expenses: This covers all past and future costs for the treatments, hospitals, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and other healthcare you’ve required or will need due to injuries from the crash.
- Vehicle repairs: If your motorcycle was damaged, you could recover the costs to repair or replace it. You may also recover damages for loss of use while it was in the shop.
- Lost wages: The money you’ve lost from being unable to work because of injuries sustained in the crash may be recovered.
- Decreased earning capacity: If your injuries will long-term reduce your ability to work or potential future income, compensation could account for that impact.
- Pain and suffering: Damages for the physical and emotional pain as well as reduced enjoyment of life you’ve faced due to the accident and injuries.
- Emotional distress: Recovery is possible for any trauma, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues resulting from what happened.
- Wrongful death: If you lost a loved one, Alabama laws allow you to only recover punitive damages.
- Traumatic brain injuries: The extensive medical care you’ll need long-term and impacts on functions like cognition from a severe brain injury may warrant substantial damages awards.
- Spinal cord injuries: The lifelong medical costs and limited mobility from paralysis resulting from a spinal cord injury can justify significant compensation.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, our team at Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, is truly sorry for your loss. While money can never replace the pain you feel, our Birmingham wrongful death lawyers can help you recover punitive damages.
What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Several injuries commonly occur in motorcycle accidents. Documenting the full extent of any injuries sustained is important for recovery. Some injuries include:
- Broken bones: Fractures of legs, arms, feet, wrists, and ribs are unfortunately frequent due to the lack of protection compared to a car. Compound fractures can be especially serious.
- Fractures: Similar to broken bones, fractures occur where the bone is cracked but not broken through. They may require casting, surgery, or hardware insertion to heal.
- Sprains: Twisting or wrenching injuries to joints like ankles, wrists, shoulders, or knees can result in severe sprains that may never fully heal properly.
- Head trauma: Without helmet protection, head impacts during crashes commonly lead to concussions or life-threatening traumatic brain injuries requiring extensive recovery and rehabilitation.
- Spinal injuries: Impacts can lead to herniated or ruptured discs, pinched nerves, or spinal fractures that may cause paralysis or long-term pain issues.
- Soft tissue damage: Muscle tears, ligament sprains, and joint injuries frequently occur, especially in the back, neck, shoulders, and extremities. Chronic pain is common.
- Organ injuries: Severe crashes risk injuries to internal organs like the liver, spleen, and kidneys that may require intensive care or surgery to address.
Learn More About What Evidence Is Needed for a Motorcycle Accident Case
At Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, our Birmingham motorcycle accident lawyers can help you understand what other evidence is needed for a motorcycle accident case. We offer free consultations during which we’ll answer all your questions about your potential case.
Contact us today to learn more about the evidence you need to collect after a motorcycle accident.
