Motorcyclists face serious harm when involved in an accident. Exposure to the road and other vehicles, combined with a smaller profile than cars, can lead to serious injuries and property damage. If you or a loved one is in a wreck, contact a Niceville motorcycle accident lawyer at Powell, Powell & Powell for help with your claim.
While vehicular accident cases usually include insurance companies or claims of negligence, a motorcycle accident claim is a little different. By following some simple tips, you can help ensure that your attorney is able to assist you with obtaining the most compensation available to you.
Why You Need to Bring a Motorcycle Claim
Most Florida vehicular accidents are covered by personal injury protection or PIP — but PIP is for vehicles with four or more wheels. Motorcyclists often are not eligible for PIP protection, even if they carry the insurance on their four-wheeled vehicle.
Additionally, because of the severity of the injuries usually sustained in a motorcycle accident, these cases involve lawsuits or complicated settlement proceedings with the insurance company of the at-fault driver.
Claims may take a long time to resolve. Taking care of yourself and your interests as best you can during this difficult time is the best way to help your attorney help you.
How to Protect Yourself After a Motorcycle Accident
Many of the following tips are common sense. The responding police officers and emergency medical teams will take care of many of these tips as part of their basic responsibilities, but you can also help yourself to a certain extent before you hire an attorney. Remember, no one else at the accident site is as interested in looking out for you as you are.
Hiring an attorney as soon as possible after your crash is vital to making sure your case goes as smoothly as possible. If you are seriously injured, avoid moving or doing anything until emergency services arrive and clear you for movement.
1. Call the police. This seems obvious, but even if the other driver or witnesses are calling 911, make sure you also make the call.
2. Get the other driver’s information. Note his or her name, address, license plate number and insurance information.
3. Speak only to authorities. Answer questions from medical personnel and law enforcement only.
4. Do not admit fault. Do not say anything was your fault to anyone, even if you think it is. Do not apologize for anything to anyone either, even if you feel sorry for something.
5. Do not sign anything. This includes tickets law enforcement might issue or anything else at all.
6. Get emergency medical services. Either do exactly what first response teams instruct at the site of the accident or go to the emergency room.
7. Contact your insurer. Motorcyclists may have trouble with insurance for a few different reasons. Contact your motorcycle or auto insurer and health insurer as soon as possible to start their processes.
8. Follow all medical orders. This is particularly crucial if we have to go after your insurer. If you won’t cooperate with your insurer, you may ruin your claim.
9. Maintain your privacy. Don’t post on social media about your injuries. Watch out for surveillance from insurers or the other party’s investigators.
10. Keep all damaged property. Hang onto anything that was damaged in the accident. This might include your helmet, goggles, boots, motorcycle parts, clothing, jewelry, your phone or anything else.
For advice specific to your claim, please contact our personal injury attorneys today.