It’s important to avoid some actions after a motorcycle accident in Indiana to protect your eligibility for compensation. What are common mistakes to avoid when dealing with a motorcycle accident case?
Generally, Carmel motorcycle accident lawyers advise clients to avoid waiting to get help, stay off social media, and refuse to admit fault for the collision. Our team at Vaughan & Vaughan can help you review more common mistakes when you contact us.
You can call or complete our online contact form to begin the legal process and get professional advice about your next steps.
Waiting to Seek Medical Care
Motorcyclists who wait too long to seek medical treatment after an accident can face several negative consequences. For one thing, waiting to get care can make your recovery more difficult, especially if you have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or another serious injury.
Additionally, waiting to get help may allow the at-fault driver’s insurance company to claim that your injuries are not from the accident. Getting immediate help provides you with official documents from healthcare professionals to detail the facts of your accident.
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Failing to Notify Law Enforcement
Forgetting to contact the police to notify them about a motorcycle accident represents a common mistake that can make seeking compensation more challenging in Indiana.
Contacting the police means they can come to the scene of your accident, assess what happened, and file an official report. They may also perform on-scene tests, like blood alcohol content (BAC) assessments, that could help if the other driver was intoxicated.
Your lawyer can use the police report and any official BAC tests when building your claim to show that the other driver directly caused your wreck and owes you damages to cover your losses.
Leaving Without Collecting Evidence
You have a prime opportunity to collect evidence in the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident. You may bolster your personal injury claim by taking pictures of:
- Your injuries
- The damage to your vehicle
- The position of all vehicles in the accident
- Hazards that contributed to your accident
You can also get contact information from the other driver and all eyewitnesses to your motorcycle wreck. You can provide this information to your Carmel personal injury lawyer to strengthen your claim for compensation.
Giving Insurance Companies Information
Insurance companies primarily focus on protecting their bottom lines after an accident. They may try to avoid covering your losses, striving to provide you with minimum coverage for your:
- Current and future healthcare costs
- Lost pay
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Many motorcyclists make the common mistake of speaking with insurance agents or providing recorded statements without speaking to a lawyer first. The insurance company may use the information you provide to downplay the severity of your losses.
Therefore, we recommend that you always contact a lawyer before providing insurance companies with details about your motorcycle accident.
Should You Notify Your Insurance Company After a Motorcycle Accident?
Sharing information with the other driver’s insurance company can negatively impact your ability to secure compensation. However, it’s essential to inform your insurance agent about your accident as quickly as possible.
Failing to notify your insurance company may allow them to deny a claim in the future.
Taking the Initial Settlement Offer
Insurance companies often offer a settlement quickly after a motorcycle accident. However, this initial offer may fail to address your losses completely. Once you agree, it’s much more challenging to seek additional damages.
Therefore, we recommend that you only take an insurance settlement after a lawyer reads it over to ensure it fairly covers your expenses.
Trying to Resolve Your Claim Without a Lawyer
Finally, attempting to resolve your claim without assistance from a lawyer can make it more difficult for you to secure compensation after an accident. An attorney can assist you with every aspect of your claim by:
- Finding the at-fault party after a motorcycle accident
- Collecting evidence to build your personal injury claim
- Tracking all the losses caused by the accident
- Discussing methods to resolve your claim
Working with a lawyer may allow you to settle out of court or file a lawsuit when applicable to your situation. Your attorney can also keep your claim on track, helping you avoid potential issues with the statute of limitations in Indiana.
If you wait too long to file a claim, the court can dismiss your request for compensation. You can learn more about the benefits of hiring a lawyer by contacting us for assistance.
Speak to Us About Common Mistakes After Motorcycle Accidents
What are common mistakes to avoid when dealing with a motorcycle accident case? Failing to call the police, forgetting to gather evidence, and speaking to insurance agents without legal support can all damage your claim.
You can get help avoiding these mistakes from a motorcycle accident lawyer from our team at Vaughan & Vaughan. Call or fill out our online contact form to learn more.
