Whether you’ve been in one before or not, a motorcycle accident is frightening. As with a car, or any other kind of accident, you may feel some panic and wonder who you should call first. And no matter if there are bystanders on the scene, your very first call should be to 911.
Don’t assume that witnesses are dialing. Many people feel just as compelled to capture the scene on camera as to call for help. That very first call should be made as soon as you know you can move without risk of injury and get yourself and others to a safe distance from the wreckage.
Your First Call Is Critically Important
After you’ve called 911 or are sure someone else has, and you’re waiting for emergency services to arrive, you may want to make some more calls. You may be tempted to call a loved one, your boss, or a friend to tell them what’s happened and that you’re safe. You may even be tempted to post your accident on social media.
Conventional wisdom holds that you should next call your insurance company to report the accident and file a claim as soon as possible. Claims investigations can take time, and you may not get a check quickly. But even when you’re issued a check quickly, it may take time for repairs to be scheduled and completed.
However, conventional wisdom is wrong. You should not rush to call your insurance company. The next first call you should make is to your attorney.
Why You Should Call an Attorney Before Your Insurance Company
You may be wondering why you should call an attorney before your insurance company. In fact, if you’ve been in an accident before, you may have called your insurance company right after having called 911. And if your insurer made you whole in that case, calling an attorney first before your insurance company now may not make much sense.
Insurance companies earn profits by taking in premiums and paying them out as infrequently as possible. The insurance representatives you’ll speak to are well-versed in minimizing the size of claim payouts and using the words you say to help them lowball you, especially if you bear some responsibility for the accident. And because insurance companies are also huge bureaucracies, their employees can sometimes make mistakes that can cost you considerably.
Even if the driver is at fault, your chances of pursuing financial and legal recourse can be compromised when you talk to an insurance agent. People often make the following mistakes:
- Not taking pictures or collecting evidence at the scene
- Telling insurance adjusters that you’re fine or ok
- Lying about what happened
- Not providing enough information
- Providing too much information
And what you say to the insurance agent will be documented, used to determine your insurer’s initial offer, and might be eventually used as evidence in a court of law.
How Pacific West Injury Law Can Help You After Your Motorcycle Accident
That’s why you must call a lawyer first, and not just any lawyer. You need a lawyer with experience handling motorcycle accidents and working with the traffic cops and traffic courts in Las Vegas and Henderson. A lawyer with a track record of winning awards and obtaining settlements can make motorcycle accident victims whole.
You should call a lawyer from the law firm of Pacific West Injury Law before you make another call. When you do, you’ll have an experienced attorney who can help you understand what you should or should not say. Working with an experienced attorney from Pacific West Injury Law can help maximize your chances of getting the judgment or settlement you deserve.
After your motorcycle accident, avoid the compulsion to speak with the other party or others on the scene. After you’re assured that 911 has been called, call the Pacific West Injury Law office and let a knowledgeable attorney guide you through the steps you should take next. Because just one wrong word or step could be the difference between you receiving a settlement that fully covers your pain and suffering and one that covers a mere fraction of your costs.
Why Pacific West Injury Law Is Your Best Option for Personal Injury Cases
Proudly serving Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas, our lawyers have substantial experience covering not only motorcycle accidents but also all manner of traffic accidents. So we know how the system works and how to make it work for you.
Insurance companies have an army of adjusters, actuaries, investigators, and lawyers working for them to protect their bottom line, not yours. Depending on the circumstance of the accident, the other party may have retained a lawyer as well. And if they all have lawyers working for them, you need a law firm working for you.
In fact, we opened our doors specifically to make sure that everyday people like you had the most effective representation in personal injury cases. A staunch fighter on behalf of clients in personal injury cases, our lead attorney, Kristopher M. Helmick, has helped clients obtain tens of millions of dollars clients for their expenses, pain, and suffering. And with our experienced team at Pacific West Injury Law, you’re in good hands.
What About Other Types of Personal Injury Cases?
Pacific West Injury Law is not only your best bet if you’re in a motorcycle accident. We also have a winning track record handling cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall injuries
- Dog bite injuries
We also handle catastrophic injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Other serious injuries
We’ve helped advise people who have been in these kinds of accidents or suffered these types of personal injuries about their legal options. And when we’ve taken them on clients, we’ve won substantial awards to compensate them for their pain and suffering.
Make the Call to Pacific West Injury Law
If you’ve been in a motorcycle crash or accident or suffered another serious injury, call us today at Pacific West Injury Law. Our law firm stands ready to fight and win for you.
Contact us at Pacific West Injury Law today and take the first step towards getting the justice and compensation you deserve.
