It can be challenging to know what to do in the days following a motorcycle accident due to the injuries you suffered and the medical costs you may have incurred. While this is understandable, it is essential to take various steps to protect your legal rights if the accident occurred due to someone’s negligence.
Steps to Take Following a Motorcycle Accident
Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident will help you make informed decisions when seeking compensation. Below is a guide to help you make the proper steps.
Seek Medical Treatment from a Qualified Doctor
It is imperative to visit your doctor to examine your health condition following the injuries you may have incurred from the motorcycle accident. If you delay seeking treatment, your condition may worsen, which can complicate matters and affect the quality of your life.
Collect Concrete Evidence
To get compensation for your injuries and losses, you have to present evidence to the insurance company or the court. Without solid evidence, you may not get the compensation you deserve. Here are things to consider when collecting evidence.
- Name of the driver and their contact details.
- Details of the insurance company of the other driver.
- Date, time, and name of the location where the accident occurred.
- Statements from those who witnessed the accident.
- Medical receipts of your treatment and the cost of the damage you incurred.
It’d be ideal to involve an experienced motorcycle accident attorney such as those at the Pacific West Injury Law to help you collect solid evidence.
Speak to Your Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Handling a motorcycle accident case is complicated and time-consuming if you lack legal expertise, and this is why it is advisable to consult a motorcycle accident lawyer immediately. The attorney can advise you on the next steps and guide you through the legal processes depending on the severity of your injuries.
How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help
An experienced motorcycle accident such as those at Pacific West Injury Law can take off the burden from your shoulders by handling various tasks that make it easier to receive the compensation you deserve. Here are the reasons to hire a motorcycle accident attorney.
Investigate the Case
It is not easy to gather concrete evidence to help you file a strong case against the defendant. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows the nitty-gritty of collecting solid evidence from the accident scene, increasing your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Negotiate with the Insurance Company
After a motorcycle accident, dealing with the insurance company can be tiring if you lack legal expertise. However, this can be seamless if you hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney such as those at Pacific West Injury Law to negotiate the case and reach a favorable settlement.
File the Case in Court
Many motorcycle accidents end with the insurance company. This means that very few cases proceed to court if there is no agreement between a lawyer and the insurance company. The beauty of hiring a lawyer is that they can file the claim in court, attend the legal proceeding and fight for your rights.
Types of Compensation a Lawyer Can Help You Seek
When seeking a settlement after a motorcycle accident, it is best to know the types of damages you can recover. Below are the three main types of compensation you can get after a motorcycle accident.
Medical Expenses
If you suffer severe injuries in a motorcycle accident, you will likely use more money for treatment. It can drain you financially, and this is why it is vital to seek compensation for all the past, present, and future medical expenses.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering include emotional, physical, and psychological discomfort. Your attorney can guide you on how to claim pain and suffering damages based on the severity of your case. Even if you suffered life-changing injuries, the attorney could help you calculate the damage.
Lost Wages and Lost Earning Potential
If you suffer severe injuries, you may need to stay at home until you feel better. This means you won’t be able to report to work and earn a salary like before the accident. The defendant’s insurance company may have to pay you for the lost wages and lost earning potential.
How Pacific West Injury Law Can Help
Here are the reasons to hire experienced lawyers such as those at Pacific West Injury Law to handle your motorcycle accident case.
Determining Responsibility in the Motorcycle Accident
Knowing who is responsible for a motorcycle accident can be complicated and time-consuming if you lack legal expertise. Many parties could be responsible for a motorcycle accident, including the following.
- Motorcycle mechanics
- Road maintenance agencies
- Motorists, motorcycles, cyclists, or pedestrians
- Motorcycle rental companies
Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Pacific West Injury Law can help determine who to hold responsible for the accident. This contributes to the success of your motorcycle accident claim.
Filing Your Motorcycle Accident Case on Time
If you decide to file your case in court, it is imperative to follow the statutes of limitations. Filing a lawsuit after the required timelines could affect the overall outcome of your claim. Pacific West Injury Law can help you file your case as per the statutes of limitations.
Proving Fault in the Motorcycle Accident
The insurance company expects you to prove fault in the motorcycle accident before paying you the damages you incurred. You must verify that the accident occurred due to negligence from another party. Below are elements that you may need to present when proving fault.
- Your injuries are a result of the motorcycle accident
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- You incurred damages such as hospital bills and lost wages due to the motorcycle accident.
Pacific West Injury Law has in-depth experience handling motorcycle accidents and can help you get significant evidence. The lawyer can take over the investigation process and use the evidence collected to establish fault in the motorcycle accident.
Contact Pacific West Injury Law Today
If you’ve recently been involved in a motorcycle accident, we can help. Our lawyers have expertise in handling motorcycle accident cases with your best interest at heart. Contact us for a free consultation.
