Fountain Valley Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Whether it’s to make short work of the morning commute or get the most out of California’s scenic routes, many Fountain Valley residents are enjoying the benefits of biking. However, it’s estimated that motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in an accident than their four-wheeled counterparts. If you were injured on the road or lost a loved one to bike crash, turn to our Fountain Valley motorcycle accident attorneys. As part of your free case review, we can assess your situation, answers your questions, and discuss your options. Our legal team has decades of combined experience overseeing personal injury and wrongful death claims and have the experience and resources to provide tenacious representation during settlement negotiations or trial. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to connect with a member of our legal team.

What Should I Do After a Bike Collision?

A road accident can be a harrowing experience—especially as a biker. As you pick yourself up, it can be difficult to stay calm. However, if you’re able to get your emotions in check, and start focusing on the steps listed here, you may improve your chances of obtaining a financial award when you file your claim:

• Contact Authorities: If you or anyone else involved in the accident needs medical care, you should call 911 immediately. This will ensure that the injured parties get the treatment they need without delay. Taking this step could also help you prove liability and damages down the line. Police offers may attend the scene to compile an official accident report. This document could contain useful information such as the names of the parties involved, injuries and property damage sustained, and the officers’ observations on who or what may have caused the collision.
• Photograph Your Injuries: Using your smartphone, you should snap a few pictures of the injuries you suffered. These photographs could help tie your injuries to the accident and demonstrate the severity of your wounds.
• Seek Medical Treatment: Even if you feel fine after the accident, you should still visit the doctor. Some serious conditions may initially present with minor or latent symptoms. Left unchecked, your condition may deteriorate leading to additional complications and medical expenses that you may have avoid had you received a prompt diagnosis. A timely medical assessment can also help reduce the risk of facing disputes over failure to mitigate damages.
• Track Down Eyewitnesses: If any bystanders saw the accident take place, you may want to take down their contact details. Eyewitnesses may have seen something that could later help your attorney prove liability and damages. Your attorney might want to interview onlookers as part of their investigation to determine whether their deposition could help strengthen your claim.

Should I Start a Personal Injury Journal?

Starting your own personal injury journal as soon as possible after the accident is often a crucial step in the claims process. A journal will give you the space to track your pain levels, symptoms, medication side effects, and other important details about your recovery. Your attorney may rely on your journal to build a case for non-economic damages such as mental anguish, humiliation, and pain and suffering. Making entries in your journal can also help you preserve your memories of the collision, ensuring that you don’t overlook important details when it comes time to file your claim. Here are a few examples of items you may want to include in your journal:

• Pain Levels, Symptoms, and Medication Side Effects: If you suffered a catastrophic injury, it could take weeks or even months before you recover. By the end, it may be difficult to recall important details about this arduous journey. While you may remember experiencing extreme pain, your memories of these sensations could become blurry. You should use a personal injury journal to track your pain levels, describe your symptoms, and note any medication side effects. Whenever you experience pain you should include information about the nature, duration, and severity of such sensations. Diligently tracking your pain levels can help paint a clear picture of how your injuries have affected you. Your attorney may use your entries to build a case for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and humiliation.
• A Written Account of the Accident: Immediately after the accident, while your memory is still fresh, you should take a moment to jot down important details about the collision. What were you doing in the moments before the accident? What did you or the other parties say afterwards? Were there any eyewitnesses? Did you notice surveillance cameras in the vicinity of the accident scene? Writing down this information can help ensure that you don’t forget or misremember anything that could help prove important elements of your claim. Your attorney may also rely on your account to guide their investigation.
• Limitations: Whether you broke your leg or suffered a traumatic brain injury, your condition can limit you in many ways. Some victims are unable to drive, tackle household chores, or even return to work. Unsurprisingly, these limitations can take a toll on your emotional, physical, and financial well-being. As a claimant, you are entitled to seek compensations for a wide range of losses, including the limitations stemming from your injuries. To help your attorney build a case for such damages, you should take note of your limitations in your journal. For instance, if you’re unable to complete everyday tasks such as cooking or cleaning, write down why and how your injuries have interfered with your normal routines.

Contact Us Today to Speak to a Fountain Valley Motorcycle Accident Attorney

A motorcycle accident can derail your life, putting immense strain on your finances. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team has helped our clients secure the settlements and financial awards they need to get their lives back on track. To connect with an attorney, schedule your free case review by calling 1-800-GO-HARRIS or sending us a message via our Contact Form.