Navigating the Legal Process After a Motorcycle Accident: What You Need to Know
Being involved in a motorcycle accident is traumatic due to the serious injuries that usually result and will often require a long recovery. After an accident, you hope to be able to focus only on recovering from your injuries, trusting the insurance company to figure out the rest, but this is not the best way to proceed. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you will need to navigate the legal process to get the settlement you deserve, and the best way to do this is with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney by your side.
Seeking Medical Attention
After being involved in a motorcycle accident, you should seek medical attention right away. Motorcycle accidents usually result in serious injuries. Broken bones, whiplash, road rash, and head injuries can all cause major pain and a significant recovery period. The extent of some injuries is apparent right away, while other injuries can continue to manifest themselves over time. When you seek medical attention right away, you are not only starting on the road to a faster recovery, but you are beginning the process of documenting the injuries stemming from your motorcycle accident, which will be important to your claim.
Documenting the Accident
As soon as you are able, begin to document all the key pieces of the accident. If you are focusing on recovering from your injuries, you can have someone else document the evidence on your behalf. This documentation is important in determining the amount of your settlement. Some of the documentation should include:
- Police report from the accident
- Eyewitness statements
- Photographs of property damage and the accident scene
- Photographs of injuries
- Surveillance camera video from nearby businesses
- Accident reconstruction data
- Medical records
- Statements from doctors
- Expert witness testimony
If you are still recovering from injuries, gathering the evidence you need can be overwhelming. An attorney has the resources to gather everything necessary to build the file of evidence you need.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
The insurance company, although they may say otherwise, is not on your side. Insurance companies want to protect their bottom line, and that means offering you the lowest settlement they can get away with to keep its costs down. Insurance companies will often use scare tactics to get you to accept a quick deal by imposing false deadlines and implying that countering their initial offer will result in the offer being withdrawn. But as soon as you agree to a settlement and sign the paperwork, you are limited to that amount and cannot seek anything additional. Insurance companies prey on people in vulnerable positions. Countering these tactics with an attorney who knows your rights and who has the ability to can collect the right evidence, is the best way to proceed.
Finding an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
At every stage after a motorcycle accident, an attorney is necessary to stand up and fight for your rights. When you look for an attorney after a motorcycle accident, consider one with experience in motorcycle accident cases. Your attorney should have excellent reviews, a positive reputation in your community, and should be willing to provide references from clients who were successful in their claims. If you are worried about the cost of an attorney, be open about those concerns. Most motorcycle accident attorneys will work on a contingency basis, meaning that they won’t get paid until you receive your settlement.
Going to Court
Most motorcycle accident cases are settled out of court. However, if you are unable to reach a settlement, you may need to prepare for a lawsuit that will be filed in court. If your case gets to this stage, your motorcycle accident attorney will be invaluable. Your attorney will compile the evidence, prepare you for the questions you may be asked, and will present your case on your behalf. In addition, your attorney will be there to explain every part of the process to you. You should never go to court without a strong attorney by your side to represent you.
It is recommended to contact an attorney as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident. The stakes are too high to try and handle everything alone. If you have any reservations, a good attorney will be able to lay everything out for you from the start. The reality is in some cases, a settlement may be limited due to inadequate insurance limits, and the high cost of medical care. The Fair and Square Fee Guarantee offered by Arthur Law Firm means that when your case is resolved, your legal fees will never exceed your net recovery. If you’ve been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, contact Arthur Law Firm (419) 782-9881 right away for a free consultation to discuss your case.