What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident: A Step-By-Step Guide

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Accidents on the road can happen very quickly and cause significant disorientation. In the event of an accident, the number one priority is to first attend to your own health and safety.

If the scene of the accident is unsafe, for instance, as a result of debris or traffic, find a safe location immediately. You will be no help to yourself or others involved in the accident if your surroundings pose a direct threat to your safety or well-being.

Below are the next steps you should take in the event of a motorcycle crash:

1. Assess For Injuries And Seek Medical Care

Following an accident, it’s important to immediately assess yourself and others for injuries. If you or anyone else involved appears to be injured, call 9-1-1 for medical care right away.

Even injuries that seem relatively minor can become worse without swift medical attention. This is especially true for head injuries that may be indicative of a concussion or lead to brain trauma without prompt treatment.

2. Collect Personal And Insurance Information

It’s important to gather the information of all motorists involved in the accident. The personal information you’ll want to collect includes the names, insurance information, addresses, phone numbers, and license numbers of all drivers.

In the event of a hit-and-run case, there may still be other evidence that can be used to seek recoverable damages. Your attorney may, for instance, request security camera footage or other pieces of evidence to put together the information necessary to identify the negligent party and build a case for recovering the resulting damages.

3. Contact The Police

Once you have assessed the initial situation and gathered some information from others involved, contact the police. This can be especially important for serious accidents that have resulted in at least $500 in property damage.

Getting police officers on-scene as soon as possible can be useful for building a strong legal case. Police are required to write up a report of an accident and will keep records that can be referred back to later on as you attempt to seek compensation for accident-related damages.

4. Take Note Of Your Surroundings

Taking note of your location, the time, and your surroundings can offer notable benefits for building your legal case. Take a mental picture of the scene of the accident.

If you have a phone on hand, snap photos of what you see around you, including the state of all vehicles involved in the accident, as well as your injuries. Even details that seem minor in the moment can turn out to be useful in the process of gathering and analyzing information relevant to your case.

5. Call A Motorcycle Accident Attorney

One of the most important calls you can make after getting into a motorcycle accident is to call an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Seeking legal guidance can be a crucial step towards receiving reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses and other forms of compensation for less quantifiable damages, such as pain and suffering costs.

By conducting a thorough investigation of the accident and gathering evidence to pursue legal recourse, a motorcycle accident attorney can be a useful ally in filing a strong claim against the negligent party.

What an attorney can do for you in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident includes:

6. Notify Your Insurance Carrier

Alerting the insurance carrier of your accident is a necessary step in order to seek recoverable damages. However, because they will likely ask for a statement, it’s highly recommended that you seek legal counsel before calling your insurance company.

Do not provide a statement to an insurance agent until you have spoken with an attorney.

The language you use to describe your accident in the immediate aftermath can have important implications for the outcome of your case. An attorney can give you guidance on how to describe the accident to your insurance carrier or may be able to communicate with them directly on your behalf.

How To Choose A Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Choosing the right legal representation after a motorcycle accident can be crucial to the outcome of your case.

Here are some tips on choosing a motorcycle accident lawyer:

Look For An Attorney With Experience

When it comes to legal recourse, experience matters. In the event of a motorcycle crash, it is in your best interest to work with an attorney that has specific experience in handling motorcycle accident claims.

Motorcycle accident claims are distinct from motor vehicle claims and can best be handled by an attorney who has experience recovering damages for injured motorcyclists. If you contact a personal injury lawyer who doesn’t have experience in motorcycle accident claims, move on and find an attorney that does.

Find An Attorney With Trial Experience And A Proven Track Record

You will get the most benefit from finding an attorney who has a strong track record of securing compensation for injured parties as well as experience taking cases to trial.

Seeking compensation for losses after an accident is no simple matter. It’s best to seek an attorney who has a wealth of experience in navigating the legal complexities that can arise in efforts to recover accident-related damages.

Select An Attorney With Resources

Having a wide array of expert resources is an excellent sign that an attorney is prepared to consult with the individuals and entities necessary to build a strong case.

These resources can refer to professional connections, working relationships with other experienced attorneys, and other tools necessary to gather ample evidence for your personal injury claim.

How Much Is Your Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?

There is no average settlement amount for motorcycle accident claims. Determining how much your claim is worth will depend on the specific details surrounding your case, which may include losses that are more or less difficult to track, such as pain and suffering costs.

If you want an informed estimation as to what your motorcycle accident claim is worth, call an experienced attorney. After completing an initial case evaluation, an attorney should be able to provide you with a range of references.

Understanding Laws For Motorcycle Accidents

When it comes to a difficult legal situation, learning the laws that are relevant to your case can be empowering to your own understanding of your legal rights and entitlements.

Keep in mind that motorcycle accident laws can vary by state, and in some cases, by local area.

Statute Of Limitations For Motorcycle Accidents

Generally speaking, a statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents refers to the amount of time a person has to begin legal proceedings—which includes the process of filing an accident claim.

Statutes of limitations for motorcycle accident claims are determined on a state and local level. In Florida, for instance, injured parties have up to four years to file for a motorcycle accident claim or up to two years to file for a wrongful death claim.

Evidently, both the type of claim you are looking to file and your state of residence can be influential factors in determining how long you have to pursue legal recourse.

The best way to determine how long you have to file a claim for yourself or a loved one is to research your state’s laws or ask an attorney, who should have a more informed understanding of local legal requirements.

Facts On Motorcycle Accidents In The U.S.

According to the NHTSA, motorcycle riders are 28 times as likely as individuals in passenger cars to die in a traffic crash, despite making up only a small percentage of total motorists on the road.

Additional facts regarding motorcycle accidents in the U.S. show that:

Who Is At Risk For Motorcycle Accidents?

Anyone who rides a motorcycle can be at risk of getting into an accident.

However, data on motorcycle accidents in the U.S shows that people who are at greater risk for motorcycle accidents are those who:

Motorcycle accidents are also more common on non-interstate roads and are more likely to occur in the daytime.

Data also shows that older motorcyclists are getting into fatal accidents at an increasing rate. From 2008 to 2018, this rate increased a total of 2 percent, with the average age of motorcycle riders killed in accidents at 42 from a previous average of 40.

FAQs For A Motorcycle Accident Attorney

When seeking an efficient motorcycle accident lawyer, it’s important that you confirm they have the skills, qualifications, and confidence necessary to successfully recover your accident-related damages.

Below are some questions to ask before hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer to take on your case:

Have you tried motorcycle accident cases before?

Motorcycle accident claims fall under the category of personal injury cases. However, not all personal injury cases are the same. There are unique aspects of working on a motorcycle accident case that are important for an attorney to understand in order to successfully navigate and win a case.

Therefore, it’s important to hire an attorney who has focused experience in managing motorcycle accident claims, specifically.

What fees do you charge?

Legal costs can be a primary concern for many people. In many personal injury cases, legal fees can account for a percentage of total damages awarded in a person’s case. However, attorneys may also ask for a charge upfront or require certain case-related costs if you don’t recover damages.

Fees can vary depending on the attorney. Be sure to ask your attorney’s office for more information on your responsibilities for legal fees.

Will my case go to trial?

Whether a case goes to trial can depend on whether your attorney is able to negotiate a fair settlement amount between all parties. Unfortunately, settlements are not always so easily negotiated.

In the event that you and your attorney are unable to negotiate a settlement amount, it’s important to ensure that your attorney has the knowledge and resources to prepare your case to go to trial if necessary.

Can you provide references?

Getting references from past clients can be useful for understanding the kind of experience you can expect to have with an attorney. This can include feedback on the professional skills of an attorney, as well as former clients’ general experience working with the attorney.

Attorneys who are competent in personal injury law should be able to exercise patience, compassion, and a thorough understanding of your type of case.

List Of Top-Rated Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In The U.S.

Since 1985, Florin|Roebig has served a number of individuals nationwide who find themselves in need of confident legal representation. And for every year since the inception of the honor in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by “US News and World Report” and “Best Lawyers in America.”

Our seasoned attorneys can offer comprehensive legal consultation services in-person at our office locations in Florida, Texas, Minnesota, and Colorado.

The motorcycle injury attorneys on the legal team at Florin|Roebig include:

With over 30 years of experience, our law firm has successfully won over $1 billion in settlements from personal injury cases by providing our clients with high-quality legal representation. Learn more about our attorneys and our process by calling or filling out an online form today.

 

 

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