There are a few things that you can do to help yourself and protect your rights after a motorcycle accident, including:
- See a doctor
- Document police reports, medical bills, pictures of your car, etc.
- Consider hiring legal representation
By taking these steps, you are protecting yourself and making it easier to pursue damages if the other driver was responsible for your injuries.
What to Do Immediately After the Accident
How you act immediately after the accident can end up making an enormous difference. To protect your rights after an accident, you can:
See a Doctor
In the immediate aftermath of the accident, you may feel fine. However, if you feel aches and pains in the hours, days, or weeks after the accident, be sure to visit a doctor as soon as possible. They can diagnose any injuries you have and help tie them to your accident.
Document Everything
If the police were called to the scene, request a copy of the accident report, as well as the contact info of the other driver who is involved. Know exactly where the accident occurred. Take pictures of the damage to your motorcycle and the road around it.
If you have injuries, make sure that you have photographic evidence as well.
Keep any Bills and Estimates
Keep track of your medical bills and any estimates for repairs to your motorcycle. Keep everything together so you can have the documentation you need to calculate fair compensation.Consider working with a lawyer
You are not required to hire a lawyer to pursue a personal injury case, but they can help protect your rights after a motorcycle accident. A motorcycle lawyer from our firm can prevent you from accepting a settlement from the insurance company that would not fairly cover your losses, for example.
Pursuing Damages
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), motorcycle accidents were responsible for $16 billion in direct costs in 2010. If this motorcycle accident cost you money because of medical bills or missed work, you can pursue damages. Your compensation can cover a number of expenses resulting from your accident.
Awarded damages can compensate you for:
- Medical bills
- The cost of future care
- Lost wages
- Future loss of earning capacity
- The cost of needed modifications to your home or vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
All of these factors need to be considered to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.
Insurance Claims and Personal Injury Lawsuits
The first step to pursuing damages involves making an insurance claim. Insurance companies want to settle claims for as little money as possible. Do not quickly sign any settlement agreements from an insurer, especially if you have yet to completely analyze your potential medical costs and the cost of damage to your property.
If you decide that the insurance settlement is inadequate and believe that the other driver is to blame, you can decide to pursue damages in a personal injury suit. A lawyer from our firm can help you file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Working on Your Case with an Attorney
An attorney can help you by acting as your advocate and fighting for the best possible legal outcome on your behalf. A lawyer can:
- Quickly file your case
- Gather the evidence you need
- Speak to medical experts about the scope of your injuries
- Calculate fair compensation
- Communicate with all involved parties
- Identify liable parties
An attorney with our firm can handle all the legal aspects of your case while you rest and recuperate.
Take Legal Action Quickly
You do not have unlimited time to pursue compensation after an accident. You want to avoid the statute of limitations running out since you could miss the chance to hold the negligent parties accountable.
Call for Your Free Consultation
If you suffered injuries and want to protect your rights after a motorcycle accident, High Stakes Injury Law can help. Call (702) 444-3228 for your free consultation and learn more about your legal options and how you can best protect yourself. Our partners have more than 60 combined years of experience, and they are ready to help you fight for the best legal outcome.