Baldwin Park Motorcycle Accident Attorneys 

California’s sunny climes and beautiful vistas make the state a biker’s paradise. However, even out-of-the-way trails and secluded roads aren’t safe from reckless drivers. Every year, hundreds of motorcyclists are injured in wrecks on city and country roads. Victims often suffer catastrophic injuries leading to long-term health complications and considerable medical debt. At HPIL, our Baldwin Park motorcycle accident attorneys may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries. With decades of combined experience overseeing a wide range of personal injury cases, we have the knowledge and resources to assist with all aspects of your claim. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to discuss your options.

Mistakes to Avoid after a Motorcycle Accident

Lost earnings, medical expenses, and replacement services; the damages resulting from a motorcycle wreck can add up fast. Fortunately, motorcyclists who are injured through no fault of their own can file a claim against the liable parties for their losses. While strong evidence can help secure a financial award, you will also need to take steps to ensure you don’t inadvertently compromise your case. Even minor errors could open the door to disputes, potentially resulting in the denial of your claim. Let’s take a look at a few common mistakes you should avoid after a motorcycle accident:

• Providing a Recorded Statement: Once you’ve reported the accident to the insurance company, the claims adjuster will usually ask you for a recorded statement. Typically, you want to avoid providing a statement until you’ve had a chance to gather and compile the necessary evidence to prove your claim. Otherwise, you may say something that contradicts other evidence in your case, potentially handing ammunition to the insurance company to dispute your claim. At HPIL, we investigate each claim thoroughly to ensure you have the essential building blocks for a strong case. We can also oversee all dialogue with the insurer so that you don’t have to worry about saying something that might hurt your chances of recovering a fair settlement.

• Discussing the Accident on Social Media: Facebook pages and Instagram accounts have become popular hangout spots for California’s riders. It’s where bikers go to share pictures of their new steeds, describe the best routes, and vent about the increasing number of reckless drivers on state roads. After an accident, you may be tempted to reach out to these communities or friends online. However, posting about the accident—especially on a public forum—could sink your chances of achieving a successful outcome in your case. Insurers will go to great lengths to obtain evidence to challenge claims, and monitoring social media activity is just one of many methods they may use to find evidence to dispute liability and damages. As such, we may advise you to deactivate your accounts until your case is resolved.

• Delaying Treatment: From brain trauma to serious internal injuries, there many different kinds of injuries that might not show symptoms for days or even weeks after the accident. As such, even if you were able to walk away from the wreck, you should still visit the doctor as soon as possible. Undergoing a medical assessment immediately can help ensure that a potentially serious condition doesn’t go undetected and untreated. Additionally, when you file your personal injury claim, your medical records will show that you took sufficient steps to mitigate damages.

What Evidence Could Help Prove My Motorcycle Accident Claim?

To succeed in any personal injury claim, you will need to provide sufficient evidence of fault. The types of proof you’ll need will depend on the unique circumstances of your case. Keep in mind that some of the evidence in a motorcycle case may be time-sensitive, so it might be in your best interests to act quickly before it is altered or destroyed. Let’s take a look at a few of these types of evidence below:

• Eyewitness Deposition: If someone saw the accident take place, their statements could help corroborate your version of events. However, you will need to act quickly as the memories can fade as fast as road markings at an accident scene. If you are physically able to do so, you should speak to any onlookers, taking down their contact details and a brief statement of what they saw. Your attorney may want to reach out to these eyewitnesses to determine whether their deposition could help prove liability.

• The Official Police Report: If officers attended the scene, they should have compiled an official incident report on the accident. This document can include information about the parties involved, injuries sustained, property damage, and the officers’ initial observations on who or what may have been responsible for causing the wreck. Your attorney might use this report as a starting point for his or her investigation.

• Photographs from the Scene: Accident reconstruction experts may be able to piece together what happened in the moments leading to the collision by assessing pictures of the crash scene, road markings, and other images you were able to take immediately after the wreck. As such, you should share these photographs with your motorcycle accident attorney during the initial consultation. 

Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Baldwin Park Today

If you were injured on the road, you might be able to recover compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault motorist. Reach out to us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or via our online contact form HERE to find a bike injury attorney in your area.