The aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be devastating. Not only may you have to carry out costly repairs or even entirely replace your motorcycle, but you may even have expensive medical bills to pay, not to mention a loss of income due to the months spent recovering from your injuries. As well as the financial impact, there are also the psychological implications of your accident to deal with, to the point where you feel that you might never get on a motorcycle again. Rather than suffering in silence, however, you might be legally entitled to some compensation if the accident was not your fault. To help you out, here are some legal steps to take following a motorcycle accident.
File an accident report
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, the first thing you should do (after seeking necessary medical assistance) is to file an accident report. This is a summary of information regarding the accident and provides written legal evidence relating to your perspective of what happened. The accident report should be filed with the police and can then be used by lawyers at a later date should your case go to court. Filing an accident report after a crash is a legal requirement, and deadlines vary by state.
Find a lawyer
If you are pursuing a compensation claim following your motorcycle accident, find a lawyer specializing in personal injury claims, in particular one who is experienced in handling motorcycle accidents. Click here to learn more about how to contact motorcycle accident lawyer in Joliet, IL. A personal injury lawyer will have the legal expertise required to assess your claim, which will give you a greater chance of winning compensation depending on the circumstances of your accident.
Take photographs
This can be an easy step to miss amongst all the panic and commotion following a motorcycle accident; however, photographs provide excellent evidence of the crash scene and any damage sustained by the vehicles and victims, so it is important that you remember to take some if you’re healthy enough to after the incident. Take photographs of vehicle damage from several different angles to provide a fuller picture of the damage sustained. Photographs of injuries should be taken at various stages of the healing process – immediately following the accident, before and after any medical procedures, and permanent scarring – to demonstrate to the court the physical impact the accident has had on you and your long journey to recovery.
Exchange information
Exchange insurance information with the other party involved in the accident, including information like license plate number, the make and model of the vehicles involved, and name and telephone numbers. It can be hard to act civilly to the other party in the emotionally-charged aftermath of an accident, particularly if you perceive them to have been at fault, but it is important that you keep your cool. Any signs of aggression could be used against you in court and damage your compensation claim.