4 Common Mistakes You Should Avoid after a Motorcycle Accident
Navigating the days following a bike wreck can be incredibly challenging, overwhelming, and confusing. However, it’s important to take a deep breath and consider your next steps carefully.
Any mistakes you make in the aftermath of this traumatic event could leave you unable to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. In this article, we highlight a few common errors claimants usually make and give you tips on how to avoid these otherwise costly mishaps:
You Did Not Seek Treatment
If you were able to pick yourself up after the collision, you might think you survived this hair-raising encounter unscathed. However, many serious injuries can take hours or even days to manifest symptoms, so you might need urgent medical care while being unaware of the severity of your condition.
As such, you should never forego a medical assessment in the wake of a wreck as skipping this crucial step couldn’t just put your life in danger but might also make it more difficult for you to recover compensation for your injuries. For instance, if you delayed your doctor’s visit, the insurer might argue that you could’ve mitigated some of your losses by seeking treatment within a reasonable timeframe.
You Failed to Follow Your Treatment Plan
Whether your doctor has told you to take certain medications, book time off work to let your injuries heal, or avoid physical activity until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, you should never go against their instructions. Knowingly or unknowingly deviating from your treatment plan could open the door to disputes. For example, the insurance company might assert that your negligence caused your condition to worsen leading to additional—but ultimately avoidable—damages.
You Posted about the Accident on Social Media
Sharing the harrowing details of the wreck online could feel comforting in the days following the crash, but your posts on social media could cause irreparable damage to your case. The insurance company may monitor your social media profiles as part of their investigation into your claim. As such, they may be able to use your posts as evidence to dispute certain aspects of your case.
You Did Not Gather Evidence at the Accident Scene
The accident scene can be a potential treasure trove of evidence, arming you with the necessary building blocks to construct a strong case. However, if you don’t take time to scour the wreckage for any proof that might help support your claim, you might lose access to this invaluable evidence forever. As such, immediately after the crash, you should take photographs of the wreckage, obtain copies of dashcam/surveillance camera recordings, and take down the names of contact details of any eyewitnesses while this proof is still available.
Speak to a California Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Need help navigating the claims process? Turn to the legal team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers. With decades of collective experience representing accident victims, we can provide reliable guidance at every stage of proceedings, advising you of the errors you should avoid and the steps you need to take to protect your claim. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or jump to our contact page HERE to lock in a free case review with a California motorcycle accident attorney.
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