When a person gets hurt in a motorcycle crash, they have the right to receive significant monetary damages from the at-fault party or their insurance company. A knowledgeable lawyer can help injured victims to file claims and negotiate settlements that take into account all of their losses, including financial costs, physical injuries, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important to make sure that you take the following steps to protect your legal rights:
Exchange information – It is important to get all of the contact details for the other drivers involved in the accident and also their insurance policy details. This information will be useful when pursuing a claim later on.
Get eyewitness testimony – If you see any witnesses, try to talk to them and get their contact details. They might be willing to give a statement about what happened and this can be helpful when pursuing a personal injury claim.
Photograph the scene – Take photos of all damaged items, skid marks and debris. This will provide valuable evidence and may be crucial when constructing a case for negligence.
Speak to a medical professional – Be sure to speak to a doctor about your injuries as soon as possible after the accident. This will allow you to establish the severity of your injuries and will give a strong indication as to what the value of your claim should be.
Seek legal advice – A skilled New York City Motorcycle accident lawyer fighting for your rights attorney can help you to build a strong case for compensation. They will be able to collect witness statements, evidence and expert opinions that will help you to demonstrate how the incident occurred and why the at-fault party should be held liable.
Ensure that your legal rights are protected – Insurance adjusters working for the at-fault party are notorious for trying to take advantage of injured victims. They might pressure you to give a recorded statement and ask loaded questions that could be used to undermine your claim. They might even offer a lowball cash settlement that fails to cover your full losses.
A good attorney can stand up to these tactics and can help you to secure a fair settlement. They can also appeal a denied claim if necessary.
Hiring an experienced lawyer will also help to take the stress out of pursuing a legal claim. They will be able to deal with the insurer, keep you updated on progress and can represent you in court if necessary.
Injured victims who delay in hiring an attorney will have limited opportunities to recover monetary damages. The longer they wait to seek legal representation, the less time a lawyer will have to investigate the details of the crash, gather relevant documents, interview witnesses and explore all of the options available for securing fair compensation.