Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are quite common and can happen to even the most careful rider. They can happen in any road conditions, at any time of the day, and the injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries and even death.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be in very poor shape. Rest assured that you can recover from this accident and return to normal life with a skilled attorney by your side. However, when you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be suffering from serious injuries. After receiving medical attention, you should contact an attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve. According to a motorcycle accident lawyer, you will most likely get a free initial consultation, so you can put your financial issues on the site for a while and focus on getting better.
When it comes to liability, establishing fault, filing claims, and initiating lawsuits, it is always best to have a law firm back you up, no matter what you were driving or riding at the time of the crash.
Here we outline the steps of a motorcycle accident case from start to finish.
Getting Medical Attention
The first thing to do after an accident is to seek medical attention. If you are still at the accident scene, allow the first responders to examine you and possibly take you to the hospital, even if you feel fine. When the body is involved in an accident, a surge of adrenaline often numbs any pain, making your injuries seem less severe. By getting immediate medical attention, you can assure that you can get the proper care for any injuries you may be suffering.
Once you are sure that you are safe, check on any other people involved in the accident. Never admit fault or apologize for anything you did wrong. This will be used against you later.
Contacting Your Attorney
In the days and weeks following the accident, you will have to talk to the police, the insurance companies, and various medical professionals. It is important to have your attorney there to represent your interests and protect you during this process. It is also important to note that the other party’s insurance company may call and offer you a settlement agreement. It may seem tempting to jump at this offer but understand that they are likely offering you less than you would receive if you entered settlement talks with your lawyer present or went to trial. Avoid accepting the first settlement offer you receive.
Settlement Negotiations
The next step is settlement talks with the other party’s insurance company. During these negotiations, both sides will lay out their case and their evidence, highlighting the strengths of their position. Finally, the insurance company will likely make an offer, and you have the opportunity to either accept or reject it. If you reject the offer, the case will move to the next stage, trial preparation.
You will be able to ask for compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Lost future income
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
To prepare for trial, you must keep all of your documentation, including medical records, bills, and witness statements. Having an attorney represent you in settlement talks is important because:
- You can get damages quickly instead of waiting for the conclusion of a trial
- Trials are time-consuming and expensive
- A settlement guarantees you will receive some compensation for your injuries, whereas you could receive nothing in a trial
- A trial can be emotionally taxing
What Happens if the Case Goes to Trial?
If the case goes to trial, both the plaintiff (typically the injured party) and the defendant (the party that caused the accident) will present their cases. The case will then go to deliberation, in which a judge or jury will decide as to fault and damages. The case will conclude from this point, and the defendant will pay damages if the court finds the plaintiff.
From there, you will receive your settlement within a few months of the conclusion of the case.
