5 Steps to Take Following a Motorcycle Accident

If you were recently hurt in a motorcycle accident that someone else caused, you probably have grounds for legal action. That doesn’t mean, however, that you’re automatically entitled to a payout.

Before you can secure compensation for the damages you end up suffering, you must put together a solid personal injury claim. This generally starts with doing the following:

1. Visit a Doctor

Seeking prompt medical care will ensure the timely treatment of any impact injuries, including those that have latent symptoms. This, in turn, will show the insurance adjuster that you were committed to mitigating damages from day one. It will also start a legitimate paper trail linking the incident to your condition and providing evidence of causation.

2. Preserve Evidence from the Scene

If you gathered any evidence before leaving the scene—or shortly thereafter—make copies, and then store everything in a safe place. Records worth preserving include photographs of the wreckage, statements from eyewitnesses, dashcam footage, helmet cam footage, and official reports.

3. Track Injury-Related Expenses

You can seek compensation for virtually all the costs that come with treating your injuries. You’re going to have to prove you actually incurred them, though, so make sure to keep detailed records of everything you end up having to cover.

4. Adjust Your Social Media Habits

Before you turn to your friends and followers on social media for support, consider the potential ramifications of posting about your situation online. For example, if the insurance adjuster takes to monitoring your social media activity—and they most likely will—could the content you publish give them cause to challenge your credibility?

Since there’s no way to be certain how the things you post might be interpreted—or misinterpreted—it’s advisable to stay offline altogether until your claim has been settled. If that’s not feasible, you should at least adjust your privacy settings, so your profiles cannot be accessed by just anyone.

5. Call a Personal Injury Attorney

The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner you can start putting together your claim with help from a strategic—and resourceful—professional. Your attorney will:

  • Investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash,
  • Gather evidence of both liability and losses,
  • Depose all those who witnessed the accident,
  • Handle all correspondence with the opposing party,
  • Advocate for the best care possible with your medical providers and health insurance carrier,
  • Log recoverable damages,
  • Negotiate for a satisfactory settlement, and
  • Prepare your case for court if the opposing party refuses to settle.

Speak with a California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you were struck by a reckless driver while riding your motorcycle and you’re unsure how to go about building a personal injury claim, don’t worry; Harris Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Our compassionate team knows what kind of toll accidental injuries can take on the whole family, and we’re willing to go to bat for you, too. To set up a free initial consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney in California, fill out our Online Contact Form or call 1-800-GO-HARRIS.