How To Protect My Rights After A Serious Motorcycle Crash?
When you have been involved in a serious motorcycle crash, you will be dealing with many issues. Along with getting treatment for your injuries, you will also be in contact with police and insurance companies. In these situations, it is crucial you make the best decisions and consult with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Otherwise, you may lose out on your chance to gain full compensation for such damages as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you need to know how to make sure your legal rights are protected after a serious motorcycle crash, here are some key tips to remember.
Always Seek Medical Treatment
Both at the accident scene and later, always get medical treatment for your injuries. Should you decline treatment at any time or stop medical treatment before you are released from a doctor’s care, insurance companies can claim your injuries were not serious, making it difficult to gain the compensation you need and deserve.
Never Admit Fault for the Accident
Whenever you are involved in a motorcycle crash, never admit fault for the accident. In fact, choose your words carefully when speaking with such people as:
- Police
- Insurance company representatives
- Doctors
- Witnesses at the accident scene
Should you say something in the course of conversation such as “I’m sorry,” police or others will take this to mean you are admitting the accident was your fault. If this finds its way into a police report, it becomes much more difficult for a motorcycle accident attorney to win your case.
Don’t Accept a Quick Settlement
If you are contacted by an insurance company following the crash, say as little as possible until you have spoken to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. If you fail to heed this advice, you may make a serious mistake. For example, never accept a quick settlement from an insurance company until you have spoken to an auto accident lawyer. In most cases, the money offered will be far less than you need, and also much less than you could gain through a lawsuit.
Take Photos
If you are able to do so, always try to take photos of the accident scene before you are transported to a hospital for medical treatment. If you can, take photos of damage to your motorcycle, any visible injuries you have such as cuts or abrasions, nearby traffic signs or signals, road conditions such as potholes, or skid marks on the road that may show the other driver was exceeding the speed limit or driving recklessly. By having photos you can give to your motorcycle accident attorney, you increase the chances of winning your case.
Since motorcycle crash cases can be complex, always work with an experienced auto accident lawyer. By doing so, you will have legal representation on your side who knows how to handle insurance companies, police, and others who may be pressuring you in these situations. To make sure you gain the full and fair compensation you deserve, schedule a consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.