5 Mistakes People Make after a Motorcycle Accident
More than 95,000 motorcycle crashes happen per year, running up costs over $16 billion for medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages, insurance claims, and legal costs. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, there are things you can do to maximize your compensation down the line. Unfortunately, there are also mistakes people make in pursuing their claims. Avoid these five mistakes:
- Failure to Get Medical Attention
Never refuse medical treatment at the scene. Shock and adrenaline can mask many common injuries caused by motorcycle collisions. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, preferably on the same day. If you are not taken to an emergency room, proceed to your doctor or to an urgent care center, and explain that you were hit by a car while riding a motorcycle. Failure to seek medical attention can undermine your claim that you were seriously injured and can subject you to a claim from the other side that your injuries were caused by something else or are not as serious as you are claiming.
- Failure to Notify Your Insurance Company
As soon as is reasonably practical, you will want to notify your insurance company of the accident. Notify the at-fault driver’s insurance company as well. Don’t be surprised if adjusters seem to want to push for a quick settlement; they are incentivized to close cases as quickly as possible, for as little money as possible. Failure to notify your insurance company could make you ineligible for coverage, as most policies have a requirement that you notify the company as soon as possible after an accident.
- Getting Rid of Evidence (or Not Collecting It in the First Place)
There is a great deal of evidence that could be used at trial. You should prepare as if your case is going to trial, even though it may settle before that happens. Avoid getting rid of your damaged helmet and clothing- package it away in the same condition it was in after the accident. At the scene, get the names and information of any witnesses that may have seen the accident happen. Collect a copy of the police report from law enforcement. Take photographs at the scene of all damage, broken debris around the scene, any damage to guardrails, etc., and the roadway and conditions.
- Saying the Wrong Thing to the Wrong Person
There are several key moments during the process of a motorcycle accident and subsequent claim at which point you must be careful not to say the wrong thing. After the accident, avoid using incriminating language like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you.” Another moment when you should choose your words particularly carefully is when you speak to the insurance adjuster, who will probably ask you to provide a recorded statement of what happened. Be cautious, because anything you say can be used against you.
- Choosing the Wrong Attorney
There are many attorneys available to take motorcycle accident cases. However, motorcycle accidents involve unique legal concepts, statutes, and factors. You can’t afford to have an inexperienced attorney defending you in court. You can contact a Columbia motorcycle accident attorney with experience at The Stanley Law Group. Call 803-799-4700 and set up a consultation today.
Resource:
gao.gov/assets/660/650037.pdf
