What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident According to a Lawyer
Handling a motorcycle accident is similar to handling a car accident. Regardless of the severity of the accident, there are certain steps you should always take to ensure that all laws are followed after a Missouri motorcycle accident. Learn more about what you should immediately do after an accident, such as contacting a motorcycle accident lawyer for legal representation.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident According to a Lawyer
According to Kansas City motorcycle accident attorneys, there are several steps you should take following an accident. These steps should be taken as soon as you’re medically able, which means that if you have minor injuries, you should be able to follow these steps immediately. If you have been seriously injured, you may need to follow some of these steps at the hospital or as soon as you’re able to make phone calls.
Contact the Police
The first thing you need to do is contact the police, as this will enable you to file a crash report and a police report. Even if there have only been minor injuries, contacting the police is an essential step if you are going to file an insurance claim.
Furthermore, contacting the police is also helpful because there may be laws that were violated that contributed to the accident. For example, if a DUI, speeding, or other reckless behavior was involved in the accident, the police must include this in a report as this will help determine which driver is liable for the accident.
Gather Information and Evidence
You will need to gather information about the other driver, including contact information, information about their vehicle, and any other details that may be important for your claim. It’s a good idea to exchange insurance information as well as contact information, as this will ensure you can seek compensation from the other driver’s insurance company.
It may also be important to gather evidence related to the motorcycle accident. For example, you can request witnesses to provide testimony of the accident, take photographs, and gather other evidence that may be helpful when you contact your lawyer.
Seek Medical Treatment
You should be sure to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you only have minor injuries. In motorcycle accidents, traumatic injuries are very common. Even if you feel fine, the adrenaline and shock may be masking injuries that can be quite serious, such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries, spine and neck entries, and much more.
The first medical treatment you should seek is from EMTs that arrive at the scene of the accident. If the EMTs recommend you go to the hospital, you should follow their instruction and seek emergency treatment in the emergency room. All medical treatment records after the accident may be relevant when you are filing a claim with your insurance company or a personal injury lawsuit later on.
Contact a Lawyer
Finally, you will need to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. The faster you have legal representation after a motorcycle accident, the more likely you are to receive the compensation you deserve from your insurance company. When you have a lawyer guiding you after the accident, you will be able to file a quicker insurance claim, gather relevant information, and much more.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You?
A motorcycle accident lawyer is often essential when seeking compensation for personal property damage and personal injury after a motorcycle accident. A lawyer specializing in motorcycle accidents in Missouri will know Missouri road laws, such as the new helmet law. The lawyer will also be able to help you in other ways, such as:
Negotiate Your Settlement
It may be crucial to have a lawyer on your side when you are trying to negotiate a settlement with your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company. This is because your insurance company may not offer full compensation for your injuries and damages based on your policy limit unless you have a lawyer on your side.
You may also need a lawyer to negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company if the other driver insists you are liable for the accident. This is because the other driver’s insurance company may not offer you a fair settlement or may refuse to offer a settlement at all.
Represent You in Court
If your insurance claim is unable to be settled outside of court, then your case may progress to trial. When this happens, you will need the help of a lawyer to prove your case, specifically the fact that you are not responsible for the accident and that you’re entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
A lawyer is an important resource to have on your side after an accident. Immediately following a motorcycle accident, you should contact the police, gather information, seek medical treatment, and get in touch with a lawyer who specializes in Missouri motorcycle accidents.
Also Read about Car Accident Attorneys: How They Help Establish Liability, Damages & Collectability
