Motorcyclists are 4 times more likely to experience an injury in the instance of an accident. Motorcycles also contribute 14% of traffic fatalities despite making up 3% of vehicles. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, there are certain things you need to do. There are many mistakes with motorcycle accident lawsuits you want to avoid.
A motorcycle accident case is very important if you have sustained an injury. This is also important if your motorcycle or belongings were damaged in the accident.
Keep reading to find out what the mistakes with motorcycle accident lawsuits are.
1. Not Getting Medical Treatment
When it comes to mistakes in motorcycle accident lawsuits, there are several things to consider. One of those things is getting medical treatment after the accident.
If you have sustained a motorcycle accident injury, you need to be checked out. It is easy to want to brush it off and not take this seriously but that’s a bad idea.
Even if you have a minor injury, you need medical treatment. This is not only important for your physical health, it is important for motorcycle accident lawsuit documents.
Emergency medical care is documented and can support your case. The same goes for medical care appointments you may go to after the fact for other treatments.
This documentation shows that you were injured and had to seek medical care.
2. Forgetting to Document Evidence
The lawsuit filing process is just one part of a motorcycle accident. This entire situation can feel very overwhelming and difficult to manage.
Because of this, it is very easy to forget that you need to document the accident. After a motorcycle accident, you need to get contact information and insurance information.
It is also a good idea to look for any witnesses who may have seen what happened. You also want to document any physical evidence around the site of the accident.
The best way to do this is to take photos of any injuries and damage to your motorcycle. You can also photograph the entire site and any debris from the accident.
You may not end up needing this evidence, but it is important to have it just in case.
3. Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits: Not Calling the Police
No matter the type of accident, this is a pretty severe situation to be in. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you need to call the police immediately.
If you do not call the police, there will be no police report regarding the accident. This means that there will be no police evidence, and the person at fault will be a mystery.
This will make it very difficult to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. You are less likely to win or get any compensation back.
4. Consulting Your Insurance Before an Attorney
When you have been in a motorcycle accident, your first response may be to contact your insurance provider. But this is actually a significant mistake you could be making.
You need to make sure you find an attorney and consult them first. If you need experienced motorcycle accident attorneys, you could find them here.
You need to file an insurance claim regarding the motorcycle accident. An experienced attorney will be able to help you with this so that you have the best chances.
Their job usually includes negotiating with your insurance provider on your behalf. This is why you should leave this job up to them and not contact your insurance right away.
5. Neglecting the Statute of Limitations
A lot of people tend to forget about the lawsuit filing deadline for accidents. Most lawsuits come with a deadline that you must follow for them to qualify.
The deadline will usually depend on the insurance company you have. The civil court also has a statute of limitations that puts a time limit on this as well.
This is why it is always recommended to file a lawsuit ask soon as possible. Ideally, this should be done weeks, or at the most, months after the accident occurred.
6. Repairing Damage Too Soon
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, your motorcycle may be damaged. Even minor damages need to be addressed so that it can be safe to ride.
A mistake some people make is having repairs done it too soon. When you file an accident claim, you need to provide evidence of the damage your motorcycle sustained.
The damage needs to be examined to ensure your claim holds up. This is why you should postpone any repairs until after your claim to be on the safe side.
It is also a good idea to document the damage with photographs as a precautionary measure.
7. Giving Too Much Information to Your Insurance
After an accident, it is important to remember that insurance companies aren’t always on your side. They want to pay as little money as possible in the situation.
Because of this, it is important to leave communication up to your attorney. The last thing you want to do is provide too much information to the insurance company that works against you.
This could result in them finding a way to pay less than they should.
Mistakes With Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits: Everything you Need to Know
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you may want to file a lawsuit. There are many mistakes with motorcycle accident lawsuits you need to keep in mind.
Also Read: What You Need to Know When Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyer