If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be suffering from catastrophic injuries that are expensive to treat. Because motorcyclists have less protection than drivers and passengers in covered cars, injuries can include brain and head trauma, spinal cord and neck injuries, burns, broken bones, and more. These injuries often result in required hospital stays, surgeries, and prescription medications that you don’t have the money to pay for, especially when you have to miss days or weeks of work to focus on recovery. If your injuries were caused by the negligence of another driver, you may be eligible to recover these damages through filing a personal injury claim.
However, certain simple mistakes can have a negative impact on just how much you’re able to retrieve. It’s important to be aware of which steps to take and what to avoid saying so you’re not held liable for some of your damages. Our motorcycle accident attorneys are available to provide trusted legal counsel during this time to protect you and your rights to full compensation.
Common mistakes that can negatively impact your claim include:
- Not contacting the police: Police officers called to the scene of an accident are required to file a police report, which can contain crucial information that you need to prove the negligence of the at-fault driver in your claim. A police crash report includes contact information for the other driver, the driver’s statement, contact information for any witnesses, and a statement on how the crash occurred.
- Not documenting the scene of the accident: After your accident, it’s important that you take as many photos of the scene as possible, including of the cars involved in the crash, your injuries, and anything else that can possibly hold the at-fault driver responsible. If you are injured and can’t take photos, ask a bystander to take them.
- Not preserving your motorcycle: A hired personal injury lawyer or reconstruction expert may need to examine your motorcycle after your accident to determine how your crash occurred. Hold off on repairs until this inspection is conducted and you’re given permission to take it in.
- Talking with the insurance adjuster: When you talk to the insurance adjuster, you may say things that the adjuster can use against you in your claim. Some people even admit to taking some of the blame without realizing it, which can weaken their claims. Adjusters may also try to convince victims to sign a medical release or give a recorded statement. Hire a lawyer immediately to take care of communication with the insurance company.
- Waiting to hire a lawyer and file a claim: It’s important to hire an attorney as soon as possible after your accident so they can investigate the scene before vital evidence is lost. The sooner a lawyer gets started on your case, the sooner you can recover damages and move on.
50+ Years of Collective Experience Defending the Injured
After decades of experience, our motorcycle accident lawyers know that you may be feeling helpless and vulnerable after an accident. While you recognize you may need legal counsel in filing a personal injury claim, you may be concerned about financial costs – especially when you already have medical bills, lost wages, and property damage to pay for. This is why our team offers free consultations for potential clients – it costs nothing to meet with us and learn about your next steps. We also handle cases with a no-fee promise, which means we don’t get paid until you do. With already so much on your mind, we don’t want you to be worried about additional financial strains.
You don’t need to suffer any longer than you already have from your injuries. Contact our motorcycle accident attorneys online or by phone at (602) 483-6114 for a free consultation in Spanish or English. At Alex & Associates, we don’t settle for sub-par legal counsel. We go above and beyond to prepare for trial and fight for our clients’ rights to compensation.