Four Rules of Motorcycle Accidents – How To Protect Your Rights

Riding a motorcycle is a fun activity, but it also comes with certain risks, including a high risk of accidents. Many times, the accident is not the fault of the motorcyclist but the other vehicle driver, but it is generally seen that whenever a motorcycle accident occurs, the other side usually blames the motorcyclist. To make matters worse, insurance companies also often take injuries after a motorcycle accident quite lightly and also try to pin the accident onto the motorcyclist so as to avoid paying out large sums of money. In simple words, motorcyclists need to protect their rights. How can they do that? Here are some key rules:

Seek medical attention: When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, always seek medical attention on the same day. No matter how trivial you think the injury is, you should see a healthcare provider. The reason is that many injuries like whiplash and low back pain do not present immediately. If you do not see the healthcare provider on the same day, the other party can always claim that your injuries were not serious, or they could suggest that your injury may not be due to the accident at all. When you consult with a doctor, they can examine you properly, make notes and all this will remain on record. If you decide to seek compensation for your injuries and your losses, this medical history will be closely scrutinized. If you never mentioned any problem and did not visit a doctor after your accident, it will be very easy for the other party to claim that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. Therefore, the first rule is: seek medical attention immediately if you are involved in a motorcycle accident.

Don’t miss out on follow-up appointments: If you have been given appointments to the clinic/rehabilitation and/or have been referred to other specialists, it is highly recommended that you keep these appointments. If you miss on rehabilitation or fail to see the specialist, the other party may claim that your injuries were never serious and thus the compensation you will get could be much less than what you deserve. You need to complete the full length of treatment and finish your rehabilitation in order to receive full compensation. When you miss out on clinical appointments, neither the judge nor the other party will take your case seriously. Make sure that every clinic appointment you make is recorded and dated. The only way you can justify missing your follow-up appointments or rehabilitation is if you have been admitted to the hospital for another illness or have been found to have a mental health problem which may have caused confusion in making the right decisions.

Never make a quick settlement:  In many motorcycle accident cases, the other party’s lawyer or their insurance company may want to settle the case directly with you. They may offer you a sum of money, which to you may sound quite good, but in reality, could be much lower than what you could recover if you do not rush into a settlement. The aim of the insurance company is to always settle for less than the actual damages. Therefore, make it a rule to never ever speak to the other insurance or lawyer before discussing it with your motorcycle accident lawyer and never sign any piece of paper without letting them know. Once you sign, you will have no way to turn back, and you may not be able to apply for any further compensation if you later find out that your injuries are much more serious than initially thought.

Hire a motorcycle accident lawyer: If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, the most important rule is to seek assistance from a motorcycle accident lawyer. Motorcycle accident attorneys know the legal system and can help you get the maximum compensation that you deserve.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, talk to our motorcycle accident lawyer at Hare, Wynn, Newell and Newton LLP. We understand that your injuries may not be taken seriously; or that the insurance company is breathing down your neck to sign on the dotted line. Don’t do it. Talk to our motorcycle accident lawyers before you take any step. Call our office today to schedule an appointment with our motorcycle accident lawyer, and make sure you follow the four rules that we’ve outlined above. The success or failure of your case may depend on it.