
If you have suffered injuries and/or had property damage from a motorcycle accident, you need to know what you can do to protect your rights after this type of accident. Knowing what to do will be crucial especially if you intend to pursue compensation from a negligent driver who caused your accident.
After a motorcycle accident, there are different ways you can protect your rights. Taking a few important steps can help you with filing any legal claim later.
Immediately after an accident, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), one of the most important things you can do is stay at the accident scene. You should also remain calm, seek medical help for yourself and others, and cooperate with law enforcement to the best of your ability. All this can help to protect your rights.
The Days After a Motorcycle Accident
The days after an accident are a crucial time for you to actively protect your rights and take some important steps in the right direction. Do not let this time pass without doing the following:
Finding Medical Assistance
Get medical care as soon as you can after the motorcycle accident, especially if you are experiencing any symptoms and pains. Keep a record of your accident injuries and any treatments if you intend to hold a negligent driver responsible
Gathering Evidence
If you have any documents detailing your property damage and injuries from the accident, you will want to keep them safe in one place. This also applies to any contact details of the at-fault driver, their insurance, and contact details of any witnesses to the accident.
Getting in Touch with a Law Firm
To protect your rights after a motorcycle accident, you may want to contact a law firm as soon as possible for help. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help protect you at all stages of your case and help you file a claim against a negligent driver.
You should act immediately after a motorcycle accident. Most states set deadlines for personal injury lawsuits so it can be in your best interest to find help with your case as soon as possible after an accident.
Motorcycle Accident Causes
Unfortunately, many motorcyclists die every year in accidents in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) affirms that in 2018, there were almost 5,000 motorcyclist fatalities throughout the country. While the NHTSA urges motorcyclists to wear helmets, make themselves visible, and ride sober, accidents can and do still happen.
Collisions at Junctions
Collisions can happen when car drivers pull out onto a junction and onto the path of an oncoming motorcyclist, violating their right of way. Rear-end accidents can also happen at junctions and traffic signals. These instances are generally avoidable and are caused by a car driver’s negligence.
Improperly Passing
Drivers sometimes wrongly estimate the approach and speed of an overtaking motorcyclist, resulting in a collision. Other reasons for serious motorcycle accidents can include driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, speeding, and a driver not taking adverse weather conditions into account.
If you have suffered extensive injuries and had property damage in a motorcycle accident that was a negligent driver’s fault, you deserve compensation for your damages. However, gathering evidence to prove the other driver’s negligence in motorcycle accidents can be complicated. It may be helpful to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer who can protect your rights, help you with pursuing compensation, and fight for justice on your behalf.
The Cost of Motorcycle Accidents
The III affirms that motorcycle accidents cost billions of dollars every year for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, loss in household productivity, and insurance costs.
If you have suffered severe injuries from your motorcycle accident, you are should focus on healing and recovery first.
Motorcycle accidents can cause severe financial hardship such as high and ongoing medical costs. An accident victim may also not be able to return to work for a long time, or possibly ever. Having a motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you can help to protect you and your family from suffering potential future financial hardship. You may be able to pursue awards for your medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and others from the at-fault driver.
Let us help you protect your rights after a motorcycle accident. Do not wait and call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free, no-obligation review of your case today at (800) 223-5115.