Motorcycle crashes in Augusta can be different than usual auto accidents. Because motorcycles are smaller than four-wheel vehicles, they may not be visible to other drivers, causing dangerous situations for riders. The resulting injuries are usually more serious than injuries from other kids of vehicular accidents. Common injuries that can result from a motorcycle accident include spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, road rash, and broken bones.
Being in a motorcycle accident is hard. That is why you need a lawbike.com attorney to help you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. Your attorney will hold the other party liable for your injuries and collect proof of their liability and fault. If you have sustained injuries in this type of accident, you want to focus on recovering all the damages you have suffered. The following are ways to maximize your claim settlement:
Seek Medical Attention
After a motorcycle accident, visit a doctor as soon as possible. If you have visible injuries that are quite serious, call 911 immediately. This way, you can preserve your health and legal claim. To successfully pursue an injury claim, you need to get a comprehensive medical assessment and seek follow-up care. You must have medical documentation that confirms the existence and extent of your injuries. If there are no medical records, insurers will use this against your claim to get more money, minimize your claim, or deny it outright. To prevent this from happening, visit a doctor, organize your medical records, and attend follow-up appointments.
Collect Related Evidence
A motorcycle accident claim is based on bodily injuries that result from an accident that wasn’t your fault. To hold the negligent party liable for your claims, you need to establish negligence for their actions. Related evidence can include the police report, video footage, photos, eyewitness statements, electronic records, victim statements, and expert analysis. To build a strong legal claim, you should collect as much evidence as possible.
Some types of evidence will disappear eventually, so you should act fast. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you gather or understand evidence.
Do Not Make Statements to the Insurer
After sustaining injuries in an accident, you want to negotiate a fair settlement with the other party’s insurer without going to court. However, insurers have significant experience handling accident settlements and negotiations. They have different strategies to minimize settlements to protect their bottom line. To ensure you don’t give the insurer a reason to devalue or deny your claim, do not give statements to them. Otherwise, the company may twist your words and blame you for the crash. After an accident, handle all communications with the company through your lawyer.
Don’t Settle Your Claim Quickly
In Georgia, you have two years from the injury or accident date to file a lawsuit or claim against the negligent party. In the hours or days after the accident, you must protect your health, rights, and well-being. You need to seek immediate medical attention and obtain related evidence. Also, you must not accept the initial settlement offers that the insurer may make. Such offers are usually less than the worth of your claim.
Sure, you may be dealing with pain and suffering after an accident and may want to reach a bigger and more reasonable settlement as quickly as possible. However, insurers are aware of this and may take advantage. An insurance company may make a quick, lowball settlement offer to resolve your case for less money than you deserve. But you need to be patient because your attorney can always negotiate for a better deal based on your circumstances, the severity and extent of your injuries, and the effects of these injuries on your life.
