A motorcycle crash can leave you dealing with physical pain, property damage, and a sudden flood of paperwork from insurance companies. Even in the face of many challenges, you are supposed to take steps to positively influence the success of your claim. Many riders don’t realize their own actions can make the difference between a low settlement and full, fair compensation. It is advisable to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer early to help you figure out the right steps to build the strongest foundation for your case.
Key Takeaways
- After a motorcycle accident, your actions after treatment can significantly affect your claim.
- Follow your treatment plan, track all accident-related expenses, keep a recovery journal, and obtain a copy of the police report.
- Share all documentation with your lawyer so they can build the strongest possible case for fair compensation.
- Work with an attorney to ensure your actions don’t jeopardize your personal injury claim.
Steps To Follow After a Motorcycle Accident
Once you’ve been treated for your immediate injuries, your next steps can directly influence whether your case results in fair compensation. What you do can also determine whether or not the insurance company succeeds in minimizing or denying your claim. These actions help preserve key evidence, document your losses, and prove the true impact of the accident on your life.
Follow Your Treatment Plan to the Letter
One of the most damaging things an injured rider can do to their case is to ignore their doctor’s instructions. Insurance adjusters often look for gaps in treatment or non-compliance to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim. This includes missing physical therapy sessions, stopping prescribed medication, or skipping follow-up visits.
By attending every appointment, sticking to prescribed medications, and participating fully in recommended therapy, you create a continuous record that shows your injuries require serious, ongoing care. This record becomes powerful evidence, helping to prove not only the existence of your injuries but also their severity and lasting effects.
Save Every Receipt and Record of Expenses
Your accident-related costs don’t stop at the emergency room. There are often numerous out-of-pocket expenses, many of which are easy to overlook if you don’t track them from day one. These might include:
- Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications
- Bandages, braces, or other medical supplies
- Rental or purchase of mobility aids, such as crutches or a wheelchair
- Transportation expenses for traveling to medical appointments
- Home modifications, like installing a shower rail, if your injuries limit mobility
Note that every single receipt can help build your claim for full compensation. Even small expenses add up, and failing to track them means leaving money on the table.
Keep a Detailed Recovery Journal
Some of the most important losses after a motorcycle accident aren’t captured on a hospital bill. Pain, emotional distress, frustration at being unable to enjoy hobbies, and strain on relationships all fall under non-tangible damages in a personal injury case.
Keeping a daily or weekly journal gives you a living record of your struggles. You can note:
- Levels of pain or discomfort each day
- Tasks or activities you can no longer do
- Missed family events or social activities
- Sleep problems or anxiety
- Emotional effects such as PTSD or irritability
When you document your experiences, you create an irrefutable record that insurance companies cannot easily dismiss or undermine. Your consistent documentation ensures that your voice is heard.
Obtain and Preserve a Copy of the Police Report
A police report is one of the most objective pieces of evidence in your case. It often contains:
- Details such as names, insurance details, and contacts for all parties involved
- Statements from witnesses at the scene
- The officer’s initial assessment of fault
- Diagrams or descriptions of the accident
When you experience an accident, it’s advisable to obtain a certified copy of the report from the police department that responded to the scene. This document is important for the subsequent legal proceedings. Additionally, share a copy with your attorney promptly to ensure they have all the necessary information to assist you effectively.
Provide Your Lawyer with Every Piece of Information
Even the smallest facts of your case count when it comes to receiving a fair outcome for your case. Bring all medical records, expense receipts, journal entries, and accident-related correspondence to your lawyer. Share photos, videos, or witness contact information you may have collected.
Your lawyer’s job is to connect all these pieces into a persuasive narrative that proves fault and shows the full scope of your damages. When you give them complete, well-organized information, you help them fight effectively for your rightful compensation.
Protect Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident, Call a Lawyer
Figuring out what to do after an accident is not something you should do alone. The steps you take or overlook can have a lasting effect on your ability to recover fair compensation. A skilled lawyer can gather strong evidence, negotiate aggressively, and guide your actions to get the results you deserve. Contact your motorcycle accident lawyer early on to schedule your consultation.
FAQs
How soon should I contact a lawyer after a motorcycle accident?
It’s in your best interests to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible, ideally within a few days of the accident. The earlier a legal advocate is involved, the sooner they can preserve evidence, engage witnesses while their memories are fresh, and guide you in handling insurance communications. Waiting too long can allow key evidence to disappear and may give insurers the upper hand.
Do I still have a case if I didn’t gather evidence at the scene?
While photographs, witness information, and other on-scene evidence are helpful, you can still build a strong case afterward. Your lawyer can obtain the police report, locate witnesses, and request surveillance footage from nearby businesses. Providing your attorney with medical records, expense receipts, and any correspondence from insurance companies will also help fill in the gaps.
How can I get a copy of the police report from my motorcycle accident?
You can usually ask for it from the local police department or the state highway patrol investigating the crash in person, by mail, or online. However, note that there may be a small fee. If you’re unsure how to obtain it, your motorcycle accident lawyer can request it on your behalf and ensure the insurance company receives a copy when appropriate.