Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Motorcycle Accident Claim
After a motorcycle accident, emotions run high and it's easy to make mistakes that could affect your motorcycle accident claim. Keep reading to learn more about the mistakes that end up costing you in the long run and what to do to avoid making these errors.
Not Seeking Medical Attention
Motorcyclists involved in an accident often have serious
injuries that need to be addressed by a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you
feel fine it doesn't mean you're not hurt. Adrenaline and shock trick people
into believing they're in better physical shape than they are following an
accident. Often, people feel worse several hours or days after the accident.
Not getting medical attention right away isn't just risky for your health. It
can also affect the legitimacy of your personal injury claim, making it easier
for the insurance company to hold back financial compensation.
Not Calling 9-1-1
Every serious accident needs to be reported to the police. Failing to do so makes it difficult to determine fault in the days following the accident. A police report is an official assessment of what happened the day of the accident and serves your claim better.
That being said, don't expect police officers to document the
scene completely. If you're well enough following an accident, do this
yourself. Take photos of the damage to your bike and to other parties' property
involved in the accident. Photograph your injuries and write down your
recollection of the events as they occurred from your perspective. Recalling
events gets trickier as hours and day pass.
Discussing the Accident with Your Insurer Before Consulting an Attorney
It's perfectly normal to want to get your claim moving along,
which is why many people call their insurer right away. However, many people
don't realize what they're entitled to financially speaking and often accept a
payout that's much lower than what they would've gotten letting their attorney
handle the claim.
Making Repairs too Soon
If you plan to file a personal injury lawsuit against an
at-fault party, wait to make repairs to your motorcycle or replace any gear
such as helmets until you speak with your attorney. Repairing or replacing
these items prior to the case being resolved makes it harder for your attorney
to prove your claims. Be patient. You might get better gear and a better
motorcycle in the long run from a successful claim.
You Didn't Hire a Motorcycle Lawyer
The final mistake people make following a motorcycle accident
is not hiring a motorcycle lawyer. Often, people assume that personal injury
lawyers are all the same. However, that's not true. As with any profession,
lawyers specialize in cases. A motorcycle lawyer is an attorney who's handled
many claims and understands the bias against motorcycle drivers. It's not
unusual for insurance companies to automatically assume the motorcyclist is at
fault when that's not the case at all.
You need someone fighting for your rights who understands the law and the rights of motorcyclists. If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident in the Atlanta area, contact George Stein Steelhorse Law for a consultation today!
