Posted on Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 at 6:10 pm
Being in a motorcycle accident is a traumatic life event, regardless of the severity of the accident or your injuries. When a negligent driver injures you, you must take steps to protect your right to recover a fair and just settlement for your injuries. Below are six things that can increase your chance of recovering full compensation.
- Call the Police.
Call 911 immediately to report your accident and request an officer come to the scene. Regardless of the severity of the accident, you want to have an official written record to document the collision. A police report will provide vital details of the crash, including the officer’s determination of fault. If you don’t have a collision report, you could be left with a “he said, she said” situation.
- See the Doctor Immediately.
Don’t put off going to see your doctor. Most motorcycle accidents result in severe injuries and riders are transported directly to the emergency room. If for any reason you don’t go to the emergency room, make an appointment with your family physician the next day. A delay in seeking treatment could be viewed in a negative light. The defense will argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim or you did not sustain the injuries in the accident. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and keep all appointments. This protects your health and your accident claim.
- Refrain from Using Social Media.
Don’t post anything about your accident, injuries, or recovery on social media websites. If possible, stay off social media until your claim is settled. The defense could obtain your social media accounts and use the information against you. For example, you post pictures of your son’s trip to the beach for his birthday. You may have sat in a chair under the umbrella and did nothing because you were in pain, but the defense will use this to argue you were okay to go to the beach so you should be okay to work.
- Don’t Fix Your Motorcycle.
The damage to your motorcycle is convincing evidence of the severity of your injuries. Don’t rust to make repairs to your motorcycle. Discuss the timing with your attorney before taking any action.
- Documentation is Crucial.
Document everything in your case from your receipts for over-the-counter medications and doctor bills to paying someone to cut your grass and your lost wages. The more documentation you have supporting your claim for damages the better chance you have of receiving maximum compensation for your claim.
- Call Our Office Now.
A crucial step in maximizing your compensation and protecting your right to receive a fair and just settlement for your claim is to hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. An attorney will investigate the accident to obtain evidence proving the other driver caused the collision. He will prepare all legal documents, handle negotiations with the insurance company, and hire experts to substantiate your claim, if necessary. The insurance adjuster is not working for you — he works to protect the insurance company. You need a team of legal professionals working to protect your best interest.
Call a Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorney Now
Our attorneys want to help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We aggressively fight to ensure your best interests are protected throughout the claim process.
Call The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or visit our website to request your free consultation with one of our attorneys. Our law firm serves clients in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.
