If you’ve suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, you may be feeling overwhelmed and confused about what to do next. While protecting your health is the number one priority, taking the proper steps to protect your legal rights is also essential. But what does that entail?
This quick guide from Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A., will help you strengthen your personal injury claim and recover the compensation you deserve.
Immediate Steps After a Motorcycle Accident
The first thing you should do after a motorcycle accident is get somewhere safe and call 911. The responding officer will create an accident report that can provide a strong foundation on which your attorney can build your case. If you’re able, take photos and videos of the accident scene and gather the names, contact info, license and plate numbers, and insurance details of all involved parties. If there were any witnesses, gather their contact information, as well.
After this (or potentially before anything else, depending on the severity of your injuries), it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal damage, don’t always show immediate symptoms. Seeing a healthcare professional also creates vital documentation linking the accident to your injuries.
Gathering Evidence and Keeping Careful Records
All successful personal injury claims rely on the evidence you and your attorney provide. That evidence can include the following:
- Police reports
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Witness interviews
- Medical and financial records
- Surveillance or dashcam footage
- Pain journals
- Expert testimony
To recover compensation, you must prove the financial losses and other harm the negligent party has caused you. To do this, you should maintain an organized file of all medical bills, invoices, receipts, pay stubs, out-of-pocket expenses, and any other relevant documents.
Communicating with Insurance Companies
It’s important to remember that neither your insurance company nor anyone else’s is your friend. These companies will fight to protect their profits by weakening or outright denying your claim. You should avoid speaking with them before consulting a lawyer, but if for any reason you do:
- Never admit fault
- Never accept quick settlements
- Never offer recorded statements
Insurers may make it sound like you must provide a recorded statement for the claim to proceed. This is an attempt to weaken your claim by twisting your words against you. You are NOT required to provide recorded statements. Refer them to your attorney whenever possible.
Working with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The best way to protect your rights after a motorcycle accident is to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can help by:
- Reviewing your case for free
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Consulting accident reconstruction specialists
- Calculating your maximum compensation
- Handling all insurance company communications
- Negotiating a fair settlement
- Representing you in court, if a trial becomes necessary
The sooner you consult an attorney, the stronger your case will be. Contact one as soon as you’re able.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Protecting your rights after a motorcycle accident is as much about the things you DON’T do as it is about the things you do. Be sure to avoid the following:
- Failing to Seek Prompt Medical Attention: Insurance companies may point to delayed care as evidence that your injuries aren’t that serious, or that they’re not connected to the accident. See a doctor right away.
- Apologizing or Admitting Fault: You don’t have enough information about the accident to make an accurate fault assessment, and your words can be used against you when pursuing your claim. Don’t apologize to the other driver or admit fault to insurers.
- Posting About the Accident on Social Media: Insurance companies scour social media for evidence to use against you, and it’s not always obvious what that evidence might look like. Never post about the accident, and avoid posting altogether until your case is resolved if possible.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
You don’t need to face the fallout of a motorcycle accident alone. The team at Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A., will fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve while you focus on recovery. Contact us today for your free consultation.