When a motorcycle accident happens, your emotions will be running high and you might not be thinking clearly. While this is to be expected, it is still vital that you protect your rights and make the best decisions for your future. Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys have created this list of seven common mistakes people tend to make in the heat of the moment, so you don’t fall into a trap that compromises the search for justice.
Mistake One: You Don’t Go to See a Doctor
The first thing that everyone should do after getting involved in a motorcycle accident is find time to seek medical attention. It is all but impossible to tell whether you have suffered from a serious injury or not, and these types of accidents can have a lasting impact on your physical and mental health. Going to the hospital is a sensible choice because it will ensure that you are not at risk of further medical complications and that key organs like your brain have not been injured. Furthermore, medical intervention from an official source is a great way to document any injuries from the collision which will be incredibly useful later on. This will be one of the first key bits of evidence our road accident attorney team will observe.
Mistake Two: You Didn’t Collect Evidence
Any piece of evidence that you collect from the scene of the accident including pictures, witness reports, and other drivers’ information will be useful when it comes to ascertaining liability. So, if you don’t collect any, your case will be delayed while we gather other things. You can also use medical evidence, and a report from the attending law enforcement officer too because anything that shows the details of the accident is relevant.
Mistake Three: Forgetting to Contact Law Enforcement
If there is one crucial bit of evidence for your personal injury accident lawyer, it is the police report from the scene of the crash. It is absolutely essential that somebody phones law enforcement when an accident happens so that an official report can be made. They will be able to figure out if anyone was under the influence or speeding and note down other helpful details like weather conditions, official location, and how many people were involved.
Mistake Four: Leaving Your Motorcycle Behind
Try not to leave your motorcycle at the scene of the accident, because it is also a vital piece of evidence. It is in your best interests to keep track of where it ends up, even if you are forced to have the vehicle recovered by an official service. It is the one thing that can show exactly what the damage was and will be used to represent the cost of repair, among other things.
Mistake Five: Not Getting in Touch with Our Attorneys
Talking to the insurance company alone without the support of a personal injury accident attorney is arguably the biggest mistake a person could make after a motorcycle accident. The reasons behind this are straightforward. Firstly, the insurance adjusters will always be angling to ensure they don’t have to pay out large sums of money to people making claims. Secondly, you may say something that leads you to a lower settlement offer by unknowingly and unintentionally accepting some liability by saying the wrong thing. Thirdly, anything you say can be used as evidence against you, and while this sounds like a bit of a movie trope, it is entirely true. With our personal injury law firm, you will receive expert guidance and never, ever say the wrong thing.
Mistake Six: Flying Solo
As soon as you make contact with the insurance company, the ball will be rolling. Anything you say to their team can and will be held against you as a part of the negotiations moving forward. This is important information to know because it could mean the difference between your motorcycle accident lawyer winning you a great settlement, and you slipping up and you having to accept a lowball offer instead. Everything that comes out of your mouth is taken as evidence, and you should never sign a single thing without an attorney by your side.
Mistake Seven: Saying Yes to a Low Settlement
It may be tempting to accept the first cash offer that comes your way, but Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys are here to tell you that you absolutely should not do this. This is a rookie mistake that will mean you miss out on crucial financial support during this vulnerable time. The insurance company will try to offer you a lump sum, but it is almost always far lower than what you are entitled to. Here are some of the typical things we will look at to determine the correct amount.
Pain and Suffering
Navigating the complicated scope of pain and suffering is never easy, but we are the experts in this area. We will listen to all of the ways you have been psychologically impacted by the motorcycle accident event and use this to uncover the right value of compensation owed.
Physical Injuries
If your injury has impeded your capacity to work, this is relevant. Similarly, if it was a catastrophic injury that has significantly impacted your life, this should be factored in. There are so many things that we look at here, and it all ties into figuring out a compensation offer that is worthy of your situation.
Lost Wages
If you have to step back from your professional role, then you will obviously be missing out on your salary. This can have a profound impact on your quality of life, and it will be taken into account for everything that follows.
Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys have both the experience and the knowledge to help any victim involved in a motorcycle accident. These incidents are often complex and it is important to follow the process in order to secure the most appropriate compensation. Get in touch today to make an appointment and see how we can help.
