If you were involved in a no-fault motorcycle accident, then your prospects of receiving compensation might be strong. There are regulations protecting motorcyclists from careless drivers. Thus, the person who caused the accident might be required to compensate you for your injuries and other damages.
Even though this is true, filing a claim for compensation after a motorcycle accident could be difficult. Specific damages for specific losses resulting from an accident could still be hard to obtain. For example, most people are aware they can recover their medical expenses following a motorcycle accident. Although, they might not consider what else can be recovered as part of their injury compensation package. Other losses, such as lost earnings or future earnings, can be claimed by following the tips below.
Seek Medical Help Immediately
Every state has different laws about how soon after an accident should you seek medical help. It’s usually between 24 hours and 45 days, but you want to err on the side of caution if you’re not sure. The reason for this is that you will need evidence of your injuries and their severities during your compensation claim.
Even though it looked like you were perfectly okay, you might have sustained significant internal injuries and are going to need medical attention. The risk in this is shouldering all the expenses on your own since the window to make your claim may have expired.
Contact Personal Injury Lawyers
If you have been injured in a motor accident then there are many things you could do to help with your claim. However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or have any questions, then the best thing to do would be to contact a personal injury lawyer. You may ask questions regarding your injuries and how it affects your legal situation.
If you were to file a claim yourself, there is no guarantee that it won’t be denied by the other party’s insurance company. After hiring an attorney, they will take on all legal responsibilities and fight your case for you. It’s not a guarantee that you will instantly get your claims, but their service may increase your likelihood of being compensated.
Write a List of Your Injuries
An accident can be a life-altering event. So, it’s expected that you might not be in the best shape of mind to remember what exactly happened in full detail.
This is why you need to write stuff down while you still remember them. Try to write down all your injuries as soon as possible. These can include broken bones, internal organ damage, and anything else that directly relates to the incident. If you think of any additional injuries or health problems from your motorcycle accident, then do not hesitate to add them to this list.
Record Your Expenses
One of the most important things you could do after an accident is to start recording all medical expenses immediately. These expenses may include hospital visits, treatments, medications, ambulance fees, and other expenses. If possible, make copies of receipts for transportation costs, such as taxis, which are directly linked to your care needs following the motorcycle accident.
Keep Track of Your Lost Wages
If you have been unable to work because of injuries sustained in an accident, then this loss should be measured accurately when making compensation claims. Not only does this include any wages lost due to time off work, but also any personal or professional expenses that were incurred as a result of your injuries. Keep track of how many days you had to spend away from work due to this motorcycle accident.
Collect Photos and Records
It can be highly beneficial to collect photos and records from witnesses following an accident involving motorcycles. These could provide good evidence for supporting legal claims. Also, these documents can sometimes help speed up the process involved in claiming compensation for no-fault motorcycle accidents.
Calculate The Damage Costs
It might be relatively easier to calculate how much you’ve lost in wages and how much your medical bills have already cost you. However, it’s much more difficult to quantify and measure the degree of pain and suffering you have gone through as a result of the accident.
Your lawyer is going to have to rely mostly on how similar cases were handled in your state and use it to try and come to a figure. If for instance, you lost your lower limb in the accident, then you’re likely going to have to ask for extra damage costs.
On top of the obvious medical bills, there must be extra funds for the repercussions of the motorcycle accident. Keep in mind that a prosthetic leg is costly. In extreme cases, you might need to renovate your house to make sure you still have access to every room. You might also need personal aid, vehicle modifications, and a physical therapist among other things.
Therefore, you and your lawyer should help each other figure out how much potential change you’re going to have concerning the effects of the accident. Having a clear breakdown will help you when you officially file for your claims.
Negotiation With Insurance Companies
Once enough evidence has been collected, your attorney will contact both parties’ insurance companies who will be negotiating in different ways depending on their policies. An offer will likely be made for compensation once this process has finished.
If you accept the offer, then it’s done and dusted. If you don’t, then an appeals process will commence where another meeting will take place to determine its settlement. The entire process can be quite lengthy so it’s important to consult with your attorney every step of the way since they know what to do next.
Conclusion
To conclude, you must remember that you have the right to seek compensation if a motorbike accident has caused injuries or damages to you. By being aware of all potential claims associated with a motorcycle injury following an accident, you can move forward and receive your rightful settlement.
