4 Crucial Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident to Get a Fair Settlement


4 Crucial Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident to Get a Fair Settlement

San Diego County is among the counties with the dubious honor of having the highest rate of motorcycle accidents.

In 2012, for instance, the county experienced 57 fatal motorcycle accidents. And typical of any accident, the motorcycle accidents cut across the age divide from kids, teens to adults, and this is an indication that everyone is at risk of getting involved in a motorcycle accident.

However, in 2016, San Diego Reader reported that the county set a new record high of the number of deaths involving motorcycle accidents.

Now, unlike auto accidents, motorcycle accidents are, in most cases, fatal; if you happen to cheat death, you're likely to contend with broken limbs.

In case you were seriously injured in a San Diego motorcycle wreck, motorcycle accident attorney, San Diego, will likely tell you that in most cases, you need to file a claim and receive compensation.

However, filing a claim is overwhelming, especially if you’re a beginner.

But the good news is, when the process is broken down, it’s easier to take the settlement process one stage at a time.

In the section below, we've broken down the four crucial steps you need to follow while filing a claim after an accident.

Gather Evidence

After a motorcycle accident, it's always crucial that you gather and preserve all evidence.

Collecting evidence is a crucial step in motorcycle accidents because these accidents normally result in fatal injuries, and you need to prove their negligence.

Now, besides collecting data from the driver, you need to collect as much information from the scene, including witnesses and police reports.

It also advisable that you take photographs of the damage on your motorcycle as well as the vehicles involved in the wreck and anything else that you believe might impact the outcome of the case. Remember that pictures are powerful evidence that may prove the severity of the accident while helping to establish the cause.

Finally, don't get rid of the bike. Instead, maintain it in the exact conditions at the time of the wreck' it might even contain traces of evidence and can be used for reconstructing the accident.

Hire a San Diego Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

I can’t stress enough the importance of retaining a legal expert for guidance.

In most cases, you’ll find out that motorcycles normally find themselves frustrated with the outcome of an injury, just because they didn’t retain a professional.

Hiring an attorney is a crucial step that should be done as soon after an accident.

Retaining a legal professional will allow you to put experienced guidance on your side so that your chances of getting the best possible outcomes to increase.

An attorney does more than represent you in a court of law, but they will also investigate the cause of the accident, file your claim and even negotiate your settlement so that you receive what you truly deserve.

However, when retaining an attorney, find someone who you feel you’re comfortable with, and more importantly, someone with a good reputation.

Filing a Claim

To receive the damages for which you're entitled to, you must file a claim with the insurance party.

Now, as we had mentioned earlier, it’s always a good idea to have an attorney file your claim for you since they understand the negotiation process.

Your attorney should handle all the communication with the insurance adjuster and will ensure that you receive the damages you deserve.

Contrary to negotiating damages on your own, retaining an attorney to pursue the claim for you will ensure that you get a fair and just settlement based on the long-term care needed.

Here, your attorney will factor various elements, and besides the medical costs, they might also factor pain, suffering, missed days at work, and more.

Go to Trial

In some instances, when both parties cannot come into an agreement on how much you deserve to get compensated, you may go to trial.

This is the stage where your lawyer, on your behalf, will present all the evidence to the judge, and the attorney will make a case for why you deserve certain compensation.