There many vital steps to take after a motorcycle accident, one of which should be contacting a motorcycle accident lawyer. Medical treatment in the emergency room and the recovery beyond that can be a trying, confusing time. Consulting with a motorcycle accident lawyer in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident could help you and your family immeasurably during your recovery period. A lawyer can assist you with understanding your insurance coverage, help you in filing your insurance claim, and mitigate any other legal disputes that may arise out of the accident due to a driver’s negligence.
It’s important to note that a considerable amount of negligent driving is a result of motorist error and traffic law violations. When a cause of an accident is a result of a negligent motorist, the law says that person breached or is in violation of their obligation, or duty of care, to the other driver. When a motorist’s negligence causes injuries to a motorcyclist, that motorcyclist has every legal right to seek compensation for their injuries and any related costs. Be aware that the “duty of care” clause applies to motorcyclists as well.
Any seasoned motorcyclist knows caution is the first rule of the roadway. Sharing the road with an overwhelming amount of cars and trucks, being aware becomes second nature. Unfortunately, despite the best of intentions, being careful of the other drivers around you isn’t always enough. Whether traffic is heavy or thin, people can be lost in thought, texting and driving, answering their cell phones, addressing a crying baby in the backseat, or even changing the radio station. Such distractions can have extreme consequences for all motorists, but motorcyclists are particularly susceptible and vulnerable to such driver negligence. In the event of an accident, motorcyclists should take the following steps to ensure the validity of their claim and if warranted, pursue a personal injury case:
The first step is to seek medical attention.
Obviously, if the accident is serious it’s a matter of common sense. However, sometimes, because there are no visible or physical injuries at the time of the accident, many people walk away feeling the sense of relief that they are unharmed or injured. More often than not, those involved in accidents that walk away may not feel pain until the next day. Therefore, always seek medical attention immediately.
The second step goes hand-in-hand with the first step: assess the situation and call for help.
An ambulance first, and the police second—the sooner both are dispatched and arrive at the scene of the accident, the quicker medical assistance will be onsite and police can take charge of the accident scene.
If you are able, step three would be to take pictures and gather information.
Though much of this will be done by the officer in charge of the accident scene, you too should be sure to get names, exchange contact information and driver’s license numbers with the other driver (or drivers). Do the same with insurance information, and take the make, model, color, VIN number and the like vehicle descriptions. Also, personal notes are important, jot down what you can to aid your memory. The police will assist you, but the devil is in the detail in the long run when proving your case.
The next step is to notify your insurance company.
Let your insurance provider know of your accident as soon as possible. Be mindful when speaking with them. This is when using your notes and referring to your photos will become very useful to explain exactly what happened. Your rightful compensation will be affected by the exchange. Be aware that informing your insurance company of the accident does mean that there is a requirement to make a formal statement to your or the other driver’s insurance company.
Step five is to make sure you keep and account for all records.
Keep all accident-related documents together. This includes the medical records and receipts, police reports, records of communication, the photographs of the accident, and anything else that may be beneficial in supporting your claim. During the course of any investigation to follow questions related to this information will be asked of you. To be fully compensated, the more accurate the information the better for your case.
The final step is to contact a motorcyclist accident lawyer.
Consulting with an experienced attorney will ensure you receive the full attention you deserve and maximum compensation possible for your claim. Placing your case is in the hands of an experienced attorney that can guide you through the legal system will result in the most beneficial results for you and those who depend on you.