In 2016, the number of deaths due to motorcycle accidents was 28 times higher than in cars. For those involved in a motorcycle accident that was not fatal, the injuries incurred were much more severe and long-lasting. This is where a motorcycle accident lawsuit can come into play.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident due to the fault or neglect of another person, a valid next step to take is to file a lawsuit. However, these cases are complex. As such, you may need a few tips to help ensure your motorcycle lawsuit is successful.
Keep reading to get the best results possible for your motorcycle accident lawsuit.
1. Seek Medical Treatment Right Away
It’s crucial that you seek medical care for any injuries you suffered immediately after your accident. Make sure you let medical staff know of any pains or unusual sensations you experience.
A medical professional needs to know all symptoms to properly diagnose and treat the injuries you have suffered. It’s always best to have your medical situation evaluated right away.
This ensures that your condition, all injuries and other medical concerns are documented. These medical records can prove invaluable when it comes to recovering compensation from the at-fault party.
2. Document Everything with Pictures and Video
Photographs and video are extremely compelling pieces of evidence – especially if your case goes to trial. Visualization is crucial for any type of accident case.
If you can, take photos or video footage of the accident scene right after, or as soon as you can. Don’t forget to photograph your motorcycle, as well as your injuries.
It’s a good idea to also document your recovery. When you take pictures throughout the healing process and note the date, they can be used as evidence in the case and prove how long it took you to recover from your injuries.
You also can’t forget about witnesses. Be sure to request the names and the contact information for anyone who was at the accident scene. All this information should be given to your motorcycle accident attorney right away.
3. Follow Through With any Prescribed Medical Treatment
After a serious motorcycle accident, it’s important to seek medical care (as mentioned above). However, just seeking evaluation isn’t enough – you have to follow through with the treatment.
It is very common to be given a prescription, or several, and to have follow-up appointments scheduled. This may include physical therapy, or testing and imaging, such as an MRI to see if you need surgery.
It is crucial for your recovery, a well as your lawsuit, that you follow all of the medical directives and appointments. If you fail to do this, it may jeopardize your case.
4. Don’t Discuss Your Claim
You may receive a phone call from the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster. While this is common, you should not provide them with a statement or discuss your case with them.
Instead, just refer them to your attorney. It’s also not a good idea to post anything about the accident on your social media accounts. Any of this can be taken out of context and used against you.
5. Be Truthful and Accurate
Don’t be afraid to be completely honest about the accident and situation. You don’t have to have the perfect case to prevail.
However, your attorneys are going to have the best chance of success if they understand the weaknesses and strengths of the case. When your council knows all the issues, they are going to be in the very best position to reduce their impact.
Keep in mind, your lawyer isn’t allowed to share any confidential information with anyone unless you provide them with permission to do this. It’s crucial that you are as accurate as can be when communicating with your attorney.
6. Document Any and All Financial Losses
If you wind up earning less money due to your injuries, then you need to keep both the before and after pay-stubs, your W2s, 1099s, and tax returns. Make sure to hold on to any records that show any financial losses you experienced due to the accident and resulting injuries.
It’s also a good idea to keep a record of all out of pocket expenses. These should directly relate to the accident.
7. Start an Accident Journal
An accident journal can be used as evidence in your case. It should have a few different sections.
You should have one section for any notes about your recovery and the accident itself. You should write down everything that you remember and keep a day to day log of how much pain your experience.
Also, include anything you can’t do because of your injuries, as well as how many days you miss from work.
There should also be a section for you to track all accident-related expenses. And, in the third section record any conversations you have with your lawyer, doctor, or anyone else related to the case.
Recovering Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
If you suffer injuries after a motorcycle accident, you need to use the tips and information here to ensure you collect all the needed information to ensure you can successfully recover compensation. It is also a good idea to take the time to find a quality attorney – as they are going to be your partner in receiving a fair amount. Also check out our blog on how to deal with insurance companies after a motorcycle accident.
If you need more information about legal services or would like to set up an appointment, contact us today. Our legal team can handle any type of personal injury situation you are facing. Our team will provide you with aggressive representation to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (800) 203-3061 for a free consultation.