Motorcyclists have to be twice as cautious as vehicle drivers on the road, specifically because they have more to lose. A motorcycle accident can leave you with a bike with irreparable damage. Not to mention it’s a much bigger life risk. If you have been in an accident recently, you’re probably still dealing with the aftermath as well as some PTSD since you made it out alive. However, as important as it is to focus on your recovery, you need to take action to handle this situation properly. Read on to find out the steps to take following a motorcycle crash.
Seek Medical Care
After the accident, you have hopefully contacted the police immediately and gathered evidence of the events that transpired – photographic or otherwise. It’s imperative that you demand a copy of the police report and ensure that all the information listed is accurate. Even if it has been a couple of days or weeks after the crash, you still need to seek medical care if you haven’t already. This will ensure that there are no internal injuries. Additionally, a medical report will help prove your claims if you end up going to trial. Note that you want to get a thorough checkup done by your physician even if you feel physically fine, and after the initial shock of the accident, you may also want to discuss the aftermath with a mental health professional to ensure you are mentally recovering from the traumatic scene as well.
Get an Attorney
No matter what type of road accident you’re involved in, hiring a lawyer is a must. The legal process is tough even when you have all the evidence in the world to prove the at-fault party is liable. The only difference is understanding what kind of lawyer you need. There are many areas of the law, and every lawyer understands their respective field better than any other. Choosing the right lawyer not only provides you with insight on how your specific case will go and how to get ahead of insurers and other entities in the case, but you also have a much better chance at getting a good sum of money.
In states like Kentucky, motorcycle accidents are quite common because, unfortunately, too many vehicle drivers have a neglectful approach when dealing with motorcyclists on the road. That’s why it’s crucial that you hire a specialized local attorney who is familiar with these types of crashes and how these cases are often represented. Not only can motorcycle accident lawyers help with your claim, but they will also strive to ensure you’re fairly compensated for the wrongdoings. Filing a claim isn’t easy when the other party’s job is to dismiss your situation, which is why you should leave that to your legal representative so that you can focus on recovery.
Document Everything
Even if you had gathered as much evidence from the scene when the event took place, it’s still good to document all the details and write them down; as the days pass, your memory may recollect information from the motorcycle accident that needs to be documented. Contact your attorney, and be sure to share every detail that you can remember. This information will help you when filing a report and will prevent the other party from downplaying the situation or your injuries. It’s best not to consult the other party, even to gather missing information that you may not remember. Even if they come with a sincere apology, you still do not want to relay anything to the other party, especially your lack of memory, as their lawyer and insurers will most definitely use this against you.
File a Report
Even though you should have contacted law enforcement at the scene, you will need to file a report with all the information you have gathered. With the help of your lawyer, make sure everything is included in this report, from medical reports to specific details of your encounter on the road. Your attorney will help you get this done quickly to avoid missing the deadline on the statute of limitations.
As traumatizing as a motorcycle accident, you need to avoid any further losses down the road quickly. Consulting with a trusted lawyer can help you get a head start in building your case and making sure you file a claim before the statute of limitations in your state. Furthermore, it will be much easier to recover when you have the assurance of solid evidence and an accurate report of the scene.