Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users around the world. This means that accidents are always likely to occur, regardless of how safe of a driver you are.
If you find yourself involved in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another person’s negligent driving, you could end up with some life-changing damage. This is when you should make a motorcycle accident claim.
Claims can be daunting to make if you don’t have the knowledge or experience. But with the guidance and support of a qualified personal injury lawyer, you truly can tackle anything in your path.
Main Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
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There are many reasons why motorcycle accidents occur. From being involved in a head-on collision to hitting potholes and spillages on the road, these types of accidents can occur anywhere, at any time, and for a variety of reasons.
What Can I Make A Claim For?
If you’ve suffered an injury as a result of an accident, you can make a claim for a variety of things that will compensate you. You may be able to make a claim for the following:
- Damages to your motorbike or personal property
- Travel expenses
- The cost of rehabilitation (including counseling or physiotherapy)
- Ongoing care costs
- Physical injuries
- Mental health impact
- Loss of earnings
Starting The Claims Process
There are a few helpful tips and tricks that you must follow at the scene before you enlist the help of a legal professional like the team at VeronBice. This will ensure that you collect relevant evidence to support you and your claim.
1. Get Medical Attention
After the accident, you should seek immediate medical attention for any sustained injuries. Even if you feel that you don’t need to be looked over by a medical professional, it’s still a good idea. You could have suffered an internal injury that might not have reared its head yet because of the adrenaline pumping through your body. To cut it short, always take a medical examination if it is offered.
2. Gather Evidence
Collect as much evidence as you can from the scene of the accident. This could include clothing, personal property, or may even be photographs showing the extent of damage to your bike. You should also take photos of the angle of the collision. You will also want to take down the contact details of as many witnesses as you can.
3. Notify Relevant Parties
You can start this step by calling your local police department to make them aware of your accident. This is really important as they will make a record of the accident and will also take down some vital information that you will be able to provide them if you have carried out the steps above.
You should also contact your insurance company. Contacting your insurance provider will let them know you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident. If you miss this step out completely then you could potentially be invalidating your claim.
4. Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer
After gathering all of your evidence, the next step is to get in contact with a personal injury lawyer, such as those at The Wolf Pack® Injury Lawyers or similar firms, to set up a meeting. These experienced lawyers can provide valuable advice, helping you understand the type of claim you could make and the potential settlements you may be entitled to.
They will take the time to listen to you and then decide on the best course of action in which you can proceed. At this point, you will then be able to start processing your claim.
5. Determine Who Was At Fault
Your lawyer will also work with you to determine who was at fault. Based on this information, they will then work on gathering the remaining information to support your claim. Even if you did do something wrong to cause the accident, you can still pursue the claim. Your lawyer will tell you whether you have a claim that is worth investigating or not.
6. Receive Your Settlement
Your claim will then need to be settled with the other insurance party. If it cannot be resolved, it will likely need to go to court.
If your claim is successful, you will receive a settlement from the at-fault party and their insurance provider. This is determined by a variety of factors and depends entirely on the circumstances of the accident, and the extent of your injuries. Your lawyer might take a cut of this money if that is the payment plan you agreed upon.
Summary
Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be a terrifying experience to have. To the point where you may not even want to make a claim after all that you have suffered. But with the help of a qualified professional, you’ll get the justice you deserve for your injuries.