If the negligence or carelessness of another party caused a motorcycle accident and resulted in your injuries, you may have to file an insurance claim or lawsuit to secure the monetary compensation you deserve. However, do you know what goes into this process? If you aren’t sure, contact a Savannah motorcycle lawyer for legal help and guidance.
Motorcycle accident lawsuits and settlements are aspects of Savannah’s claims process. Both components can be involved in a case. Lawsuits are claims filed in court to let a jury or judge decide on their outcomes. Meanwhile, settlements are agreements made by the parties involved in a case to resolve a claim. While a lawsuit tries to sort out a claim, a settlement is the solution.
Both parties in a motorcycle accident case can settle before, during, or after a court trial. For instance, the parties may talk and reach an agreement during a trial. The claimants will have to drop their case in exchange for the promised compensation from the defendant or their insurer. To have a strong motorcycle accident lawsuit, below are steps you must take after sustaining injuries in an accident:
Seek Medical Attention
After a motorcycle accident, see a doctor immediately. This is necessary for your health and supports your case. This means that you can document your injuries and related expenses, which will serve as evidence later. Your diagnoses and medical bills can support the validity of your claim.
In addition, keep in mind that you can only seek damages for injuries sustained because of the motorcycle crash. Doing anything that can make such injuries worse may disqualify you from recovering compensation for such extenuating issues.
Because of these reasons, you must get to safety immediately following the accident. Assess your condition and contact 911 to report the crash and get medical care. Additionally, make sure to follow the orders of your treating doctor and get recommended treatments.
Collect Evidence
If you are physically able to, try to gather evidence or let somebody else do it for you at the crash scene. Gather evidence related to the cause of the crash and or the severity of your injuries. For instance, take pictures and videos of the accident scene and get statements from witnesses.
Also, you should get a copy of the official police report because this can indicate the police’s determination of fault. The availability of this report can take weeks following the accident, so you may forget about this. However, your attorney can help with this aspect of your case.
Moreover, you should also collect other pieces of evidence such as healthcare bills and vehicle repair estimates. Throughout this process, document your physical, emotional, and mental injuries. Bruises and wounds may disappear and do not show your damage’s full extent. But you can always take photos of them as you heal to demonstrate your progress.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Compensation for motorcycle accident losses often comes through insurance claims. Even if somebody else is at fault for the accident, you must notify your insurer about it. A part of the damages you recover may come through your provider at first and policies usually require motorists to notify their provider within the first 24 hours of the accident.
Be careful about whatever you say to other people during a lawsuit. Do not give the impression that you have contributed to the accident by saying sorry. Insurers find reasons to reduce or deny claims. They have insurance adjusters who are experienced in directing conversations in ways that entice claimants to admit fault or reduce the severity of injuries. Your attorney can get rid of such concerns on your behalf by communicating with the insurance provider for you.
