When an accident involving a motorcycle and a car occurs, there is a lot of confusion about what should be done. The purpose of this document is to help new motorcyclists who have been involved in an accident to better understand what steps need to be taken in order to ensure that they receive due compensation following the accident.
Don’t leave the scene of the accident
As soon as possible, call 911 and get help for everyone involved in the accident. Even if it is not your fault, you could face criminal charges for leaving the scene if someone was injured or killed in the accident. If you have been drinking or using drugs, it is especially important that you stick around until the police arrive so they can take your blood test. If you do not pass this test, then it will be harder for them to prove that you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at all.
If you leave without calling the police or waiting around for them to arrive, they can charge you with hit-and-run, which carries serious penalties such as jail time and fines. In addition, there may be civil liability issues associated with this act as well because of people who are injured.
Don’t admit fault
Admitting fault can affect your insurance claim. If you admit fault, your insurance company might try to lower your compensation or deny it completely. The only person who can make this decision is an attorney, who will know how to handle your case and protect your rights.
When an insurance company finds out that a motorcyclist admitted fault for an accident that caused injuries, they may reduce their compensation award or deny it entirely. This is because they believe that a motorcyclist would never admit fault unless he was at least partially at fault for causing the crash. This means that even if another driver caused the car wreck if you admit fault by saying something like “I ran a stop sign” or “I wasn’t paying attention,” then the insurance company may not pay for any injuries sustained in the accident. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Wisconsin or Minnesota then hire a motorcycle accident attorney at nicoletlaw.com, who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Don’t speak to insurance representatives without speaking to an attorney first
When you speak to an insurance representative without legal representation, you may inadvertently give up important rights. For example, if the other driver was at fault for your accident and their insurance company offers a settlement but does not include medical expenses or lost wages, then it may be possible for your lawyer to negotiate for more money on your behalf. If you have spoken directly with the insurance company before consulting with an attorney, then there is no opportunity for this type of negotiation. Additionally, if the other driver’s policy does not provide coverage for your injuries and medical bills, then it could be possible for your attorney to find other sources of coverage from which he could recover damages on your behalf.
Don’t sign a settlement before you talk to your attorney
You might be in shock or injured from the accident, and the insurance company may have a representative there who will tell you that it is in your best interest to sign the papers immediately. The representative may even offer money upfront, but this is not good for you.
If you accept the insurance company’s offer of money, they will not pay any future medical bills or lost wages, and they can later argue that they do not owe any additional money because they paid what they thought was fair at the time of settlement. They may also argue that they only paid out what they were required by law to pay and that they did not owe any additional money because of their policy limits. If you do not sign the papers right away, then the insurance company cannot make any argument about what happened during negotiations if there are other issues involved (like injuries).
Don’t delay medical treatment
Delaying medical treatment can lead to serious injuries and long-term complications that could affect your quality of life. Without proper care, these injuries may cause permanent physical or mental damage. The longer you wait to get help for your injuries, the more severe they will be and the longer it will take for them to heal – if they heal at all. In some cases, even minor injuries can become life-threatening if they aren’t treated right away.
Overall, in the event of a motorcycle accident, it is best to take a quick assessment of your situation and contact the authorities, who can further evaluate your injuries. Failing to follow the proper procedures after an accident could lead you to face legal action, which is something you certainly want to avoid.