Every single day there are road accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, cars and trucks. It’s common for injuries to be sustained and for people to be off work or school while they recover.
It may be that you are a motorcyclist who has recently been hurt in an incident. If another driver was responsible, it’s important to know what steps you should take next. This blog post will outline how to get compensation for your injuries in order to cover your medical fees and lack of earnings.
Consult An Attorney
A personal injury lawyer can guide you through all the steps involved in claiming compensation and can represent you in court if necessary. Before you appoint an attorney it’s wise to check the internet. The guidance found at DSSLaw.com is representative of many lawyers’ websites. It advises people on what to do after having a motorcycle accident, discusses the possible compensation and says how to choose the most suitable legal professional. People want to have live chats or book free consultations beforehand, and to see how much money has been recovered from previous claims.
The legal professional would be able to advise you on your chances of success and to give a possible indication of the compensation you may receive. They will understand the legal process and know how to compile your claim. In addition, they will deal with the other insurance company and help negotiate your settlement.
Get Medical Attention
It is important to always have a medical checkup after a motorcycle accident, even if you feel fine. If you delay seeing a doctor the other party could claim you sustained your injuries elsewhere rather than during the accident.
You may need to have scans and X-rays to make sure you’re not hurt in any way. The medical records and reports would then form part of your legal claim for compensation.
Contact The Police
There are a number of scenarios that necessitate the presence of the Police at an accident scene. If they attend, they’ll give you some advice and later fill out a Police report.
Be sure to note down the Police contact details so you can later request a copy of the report so it can be used as evidence.
Collect Peoples’ Contact Details
You should discuss the incident with the other party without appropriating the blame or seeking retribution. If you apologize this could be used as an admission of liability and be used against you. Take the other party’s name, address, phone number and insurance details. You’ll require information regarding their driving license, and will need to check they own the vehicle they were driving.
If there were any witnesses to the accident make a note of their names and contact details too. If they are willing to provide a recorded statement, either use your phone or ask if they can email you a recording. Your attorney may also require a written statement to use in support of your claim.
Gather The Legal Evidence
Take photos of the accident scene including the vehicles (with their damage and debris), any traffic lights or street signs and a wide shot of the roadway to show all lanes. If the road was poorly maintained or dark, capture this too. There may be untended overhanging trees, potholes, loose gravel, poor lighting or other issues which contributed to the accident. The road owner could be held responsible for what happened to you.
In some instances, attornies set up accident reconstructions and involve professionals who can make their own assessment of what happened.
Let The Attorney Advise Regarding Settlement Offers
A personal injury lawyer can advise if a settlement offer is fair and reasonable. If it is an early offer it’s likely to be less than what you were requesting. Always read every word of the document before signing it as this will likely be binding on all parties.
If you are still awaiting a full medical diagnosis you shouldn’t accept any settlement offer. At this stage, you won’t know your full medical condition or how much you should be claiming. If you accept a payment too soon, you won’t be able to request more if other medical issues arise later on.
Whilst the legal process can be slow, complex and emotive you will no doubt get through it. With the help of a qualified and experienced attorney justice will hopefully be done and you will receive the necessary finance. In turn you may make a full recovery and resume your life as before.
