After being involved in a motorcycle accident, most victims are focused on their medical recovery. Injuries that occur after a motorcycle accident can be devastating. They may result in an individual being unable to work or participate in recreational activities. It may also mean the accident victim cannot care for their family until they are fully healed. All this is happening while the bills for medical treatment begin to pile up.
Even if the accident victim follows their doctor’s instructions to help ensure physical recovery, it is important to consider financial recovery, too. The compensation a person deserves after an injury depends on several factors and the motorcycle accident law in place in the local area.
Even when a person’s physical injuries heal, the financial damage caused by a motorcycle accident can be seen for many years. To help ensure an individual gets a fair amount of compensation, use the tips and information found here.
Seek Immediate Treatment for All Accident Related Injuries
In many situations, an individual who is involved in a motorcycle accident will leave the scene believing their injuries are not that serious. However, they tend to wake up several days later in serious pain. Doctors have stated that this is because of the adrenaline that pumps into the accident victim’s system when the accident occurs.
Some injuries do not show up until a few days pass. It is essential that if someone believes they are injured or feel any type of pain they go to the emergency room or doctor as soon as they can. If the injuries are serious, this visit provides a record that shows the severity of the injury and that it was caused by the accident. If someone waits too long to seek medical care, the insurance company may try to claim that the injuries were not as severe as an individual stated or that they occurred after the accident.
Take Pictures and Preserve Evidence
While the pictures may not ever be needed, it is still a good idea to capture them, if possible. Almost everyone always has their smartphone with them, which means it is easy to capture pictures of what happened and the scene of the accident. Try to capture pictures of all the vehicles involved, the area around the accident, injuries that occurred, and anything else that is relevant or may be relevant to the situation.
Do Not Try to Settle the Case too Quickly
After a motorcycle accident occurs, money may be tight. This is especially true if a person cannot work after the injuries heal. An insurance adjuster may offer a check for a few thousand dollars, and it can be tempting to take it. However, use restraint. The goal of any insurance company is to get accident victims to settle for less than they deserve. Once a settlement is accepted, it is not possible to pursue more compensation for the accident, even if the related medical costs are higher.
Right after a crash, a person is going to have no idea of the cost of medical care or how long they will be out of work. They will not even know if a permanent disability may occur. By waiting to agree to a settlement, a person will know the full cost of the injuries they suffered. If someone needs help covering their accident-related costs, speak to an attorney. The attorney can provide the medical team with a “letter of protection” ensuring that they will receive payment when the settlement or damage award is given, which ensures the doctors will continue treating the accident victim.
Never Underestimate the Insurance Adjuster Working on the Case
The goal of an insurance company is to avoid having to pay accident victims anything. They use the services of trained and experienced insurance adjusters who have superior negotiation skills and extensive legal training. The adjuster may seem sympathetic and friendly, but it is important to remember that their job is to resolve the case with minimal costs to their employer. This is likely the first time a person has had to deal with any personal injury claims, but the insurance adjuster does this work every day. For most accident victims, it is the first time they have dealt with a personal injury claim. It is essential to have a lawyer there to help as the legal professionals will know the tricks used by any insurance company. Never try to handle this process alone. Instead, find a quality motorcycle accident attorney.
Do Not Give a Statement to the Insurance Adjuster
Right after the accident, it is likely that an insurance adjuster will contact the accident victim. They will ask questions about the accident, any sustained injuries, and the medical care being provided. They are going to be taking notes or even recording the entire conversation. The insurance adjuster’s goal is to find any detail or comment they can use to twist and manipulate to make it seem like a person is not as seriously injured as they claim to be or that the accident may have been partially the person’s fault. It is not required that an accident victim answers the questions posed by an insurance adjuster. Just tell them no. It is also a good idea to refer the adjuster to the attorney the accident victim hired to handle the situation.
Finding the Right Attorney
When it comes time to deal with a motorcycle accident, there are many factors to consider and look into. Something that cannot be overstated is that an attorney should be hired. This legal professional will help protect the client’s rights. They will also work diligently to ensure that their client receives the compensation they deserve for the injuries they suffered. Being informed and knowing what to expect are the best ways to minimize issues and ensure that a person gets the compensation they deserve. While this can be a daunting process, with the information here, it is possible to get recovery after a motorcycle accident.
