If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident, you're probably experiencing shock and panic. The adrenaline from the collision can make it hard to think clearly, but the next few moments are vital for your health and for your ability to recover fair compensation for your injuries, property damage, lost wages, and other costs.
Common mistakes post
motorcycle accidents are like making a recorded statement or unknowingly admitting fault, may seem small, but they can have huge ramifications down the line, including preventing you from recovering any compensation whatsoever. It's critical to know now, before you're in an accident, how to protect your interests should you ever be the victim of one.
In particular, there are four steps that you should undertake as soon as you can after a motorcycle accident:
- Look for injuries
- Take photographs
- Gather contact and insurance information
- Call a motorcycle accident injury lawyer
If you were hit by a negligent driver while riding your motorcycle in
Colorado,
Nebraska,
Oregon,
Washington, or
Wyoming, call Metier Law Firm for a free consultation about your case. We've helped hundreds of motorcycle accident victims recover the maximum compensation for their injuries and other damages, and we can help you too. We will help you avoid mistakes during your claims process and recover the compensation you need to heal.
Our legal team will gather evidence, interview witnesses, review the police report and your medical records, and represent your interests against those of the other driver and their insurance. Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Look for Injuries
Your top priority after any accident is to seek medical attention, but this can be even more important in a motorcycle accident due to the higher risk of injury faced by motorcyclists. If you or someone else suffered a severe injury, call 911 and request emergency medical assistance.
Even if your injuries seem minor, you should call law enforcement and get checked out by a medical professional. Some serious injuries can take hours or days to show symptoms, but an EMT or doctor can catch your injury and treat it sooner. Additionally, the police officer on the scene will compile an accident report containing important details about the crash, including the time, date, location, any injuries or damages incurred, and the at-fault party. Your motorcycle crash injury lawyer can use that report to prove negligence and liability in court
Take Photographs of the Scene
If you decide to make a personal injury claim, photographic evidence will be essential. Take pictures showing the vehicles' positions, any damages they incurred, injuries, traffic signs, and skid marks. These photos will help tell the story of how the crash unfolded, and will be particularly important if the at-fault driver denies their liability.
Gather Insurance and Contact Information
Record the contact information of all drivers involved in the wreck, as well as their insurance information. You'll need those details to make an accident claim with your insurance provider.
In addition, write down the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of eyewitnesses to the crash. Your attorney can use their testimonies to support your claim, since bystanders often notice details that the involved parties can miss.
Call a Motorcycle Accident Attorney with Metier Law Firm
Even if it seems obvious to you that the other party is liable because they were being negligent, it is not always easy to recover fair compensation after a motorcycle crash. The at-fault party and their insurance will look for every excuse they can legally use in order to get out of paying you your fair compensation.
A
motorcycle accident injury attorney can help you avoid mistakes that would compromise your claim, including
- Unknowingly admitting fault
- Signing a general release of liability
- Making a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster
- Neglecting a doctor's visit
- Overlooking certain damages
- Accepting a settlement that fails to cover your future expenses
If you were injured by a negligent driver while riding a motorcycle,
call Metier Law Firm. We'll represent your interests against those who caused your injuries. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
