Statistics show that thousands are involved in motorcycle accidents yearly. Perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that motorcycles prove to be more vulnerable than cars on the road. In case you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you need to keep in mind that you deserve more than the initial payout that any insurance company will offer you.
This article tackles how you will be able to get the compensation that you deserve when you find yourself in a motorcycle accident.
Immediately seek medical treatment
One of the primary things that you need to do following a motorcycle accident is to immediately seek medical treatment for your safety. More often than not, there will be an emergency response team who will be able to assist you and bring you to the nearest emergency room for proper treatment. Even if you feel perfectly fine following the accident, you should still see a doctor. Keep in mind that there are instances wherein you won’t immediately feel the pain of the injuries you have sustained.
Collect contact information
If you can do so after the accident, make sure that you collect the contact information of the other party involved in the accident. While the police who arrive at the scene will do the same, there are instances wherein they may make erroneous entries or omissions. Thereby, while you are waiting for them to arrive, use this time to talk to those involved in the accident and ask for their names and addresses. You should also ask for their contact numbers and record their license plate numbers. In case there are any witnesses to the accident, you also need to collect their contact information.
Gather pieces of evidence
Apart from collecting information, you should also try to gather photos of the scene, considering shots from different angles. Later on, you may be able to use these images as valuable pieces of evidence to establish who is at fault for the accident. Although the police will most likely take pictures of the scene themselves, you can further protect yourself and maximize the compensation that you can get later on if you gather additional photos. You also need to collect a copy of the police report because this is another piece of evidence that can help you later with your claim.
Organize your documents
As soon as you have seen a doctor, captured photos, and collected a copy of the police report, the next thing that you need to focus on is to organize your documents. In this way, you will not have a hard time presenting them to your insurance provider or your lawyer later on. Keep a journal where you will be able to effortlessly compile your medical records not only immediately after the accident but also of your succeeding visits with the doctor.
Include in your journal the police report, as well as the photos that you have taken from the scene. You can also compile in your journal the contact numbers of the other party involved in the mishap, as well as the details of the witnesses if any. You also need to keep all your bills, receipts, and pay stubs related to the accident that you have been involved with.
Get in touch with your insurance provider
Don’t forget to get in touch with your insurance provider, notifying them of the accident that you have been involved with. If you already have a collation of your pieces of evidence, then it will be easier for your provider to process your claim. Even if you are not at fault, you will still be required to report the accident because your provider may choose not to renew your policy if you fail to do so. As soon as you get in touch with your insurance provider, they will most likely start the ball rolling and get in touch with the insurance provider of the other party involved.
Seek the services of a lawyer
Finally, make sure to get in touch with a lawyer who will keep your best interest in mind. In this case, you can consult a motorcycle accident attorney who will be able to assist you with your claim. They will exert the effort to investigate your accident to uncover relevant facts that will be able to support your case. They are also the ones who will be able to best represent you, handling the communications and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf.
Other Helpful Tips
Apart from those mentioned above, there are several other things that you can do to maximize the claim that you can get for the injuries you have sustained because of a motorcycle accident. For instance, you need to avoid making any recorded statement because the other party or even your insurance company, may use this as a piece of evidence against you, limiting what you will be able to claim from the accident. Aside from this, you should also avoid giving the other party or your insurance company medical authorization nor should you discuss your medical condition with them.
Never attempt to settle your case alone or even agree to meet with the other party without your legal representative. The reason behind this is that they will only try to force a cheap settlement on you and you may be compelled to accept should you be lured by their flowery words or convincing tactics. As much as possible, keep mum to anyone about your claim, staying off social media as necessary.
To ensure that you get the compensation you deserve when you are involved in a motorcycle accident, make sure that you immediately seek medical treatment and put your safety in utmost priority. If you can, collect the contact information of the other motorists involved in the accident and gather photos because these can serve as valuable pieces of evidence later on. Organize all your documents before you get in touch with your insurance provider. Better yet, get the services of a lawyer who will be able to help you maximize what you can claim for the injuries, pain, and suffering that you have sustained.
