There are several important steps you should take after being injured in a motorcycle crash,
including hiring an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who will protect your legal rights
and fight to get you full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The steps you need to take after a crash are:
● Seek medical attention
● Make a police report
● Report your injuries
● Don’t make any statements or sign anything
● File your no-fault benefits application
● Keep detailed records
● Hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer
An experienced attorney will ensure that you understand and follow each of these important
steps because failing to do so could result in a settlement or trial verdict that is less than what
your case is truly worth.
What steps should I take after a crash?
If you were involved in a motorcycle crash, do the following:
● Seek medical attention – First and foremost, get the medical help you need in the
immediate aftermath of the crash, and then see your physician for a full evaluation. Even
if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, it is still crucial to be examined because many
symptoms are delayed (by adrenaline and pain killers) and because it’s important to
connect the accident to your injuries so that the insurance adjuster can’t claim you were
hurt at some point after the crash. It’s also important to follow your doctor’s orders and
get any diagnostic testing or specialty help he or she recommends.
● Make a police report – Making a police report allows you to tell your side of the story,
forces the at-fault driver to explain how he or she caused the accident, and provides you
with the names and contact information of witnesses, as well as the insurance
information for the drivers and owners of the vehicles involved in your crash. This
information will be required when you file your application for no-fault benefits to pay for
your medical costs and lost wages. Be sure to get a copy of the report.
● Report your injuries and symptoms – Report your motorcycle accident injuries and
symptoms to the police, the EMTs, the firefighters (if they are on the scene), and the
doctors and medical staff at the hospital emergency room if you are taken there. Insist
that medical personnel record all of your injuries and symptoms, no matter how minor
they may seem to you at the time.
● Do not make statements or sign anything – Making statements to an insurance
adjuster and/or signing legal documents without consulting your lawyer can seriously
damage your case. They will try to get you to agree that you were not hurt or that your
injuries are not serious, and then use your words against you later. They will also try to
bully you into signing a release, waiver of liability, or low-ball settlement agreement to
make your case go away for pennies on the dollar. If an adjuster, defense lawyer, or
anyone who may be antagonistic to your case contacts you, refer them to your lawyer.
● File your no-fault benefits application – Immediately notify your own auto insurance
provider of your accident and file your application for No-Fault benefits “within 1 year
after the accident.” (MCL 500.3145 (1) and (4)). This is essential to protect your right to
be reimbursed for medical bills, lost wages, replacement services, mileage, and
attendant care services. If you fail to file your application WITHIN ONE YEAR of your
accident, you will forever lose your right to claim and/or sue for no-fault benefits.
● Document everything and keep detailed records – Help yourself and your case by
doing the following: (1) Document all doctor visits, hospital visits, diagnostic tests, lab
services, physical therapy, prescriptions, OTC medications, and anything else related to
your medical care, (2) Note the date each service was provided and how much you were
charged, (3) Keep a journal describing your daily pain levels, discomfort, emotional
distress, fatigue, tenderness, and inconvenience, (4) Note regularly how your injuries are
impacting your daily life and relationships, (5) Take frequent photos of all of your injuries
as you go through the healing process, and (6) Keep copies of all medical bills, medical
records, and other relevant documents.
● Hire the most experienced motorcycle accident lawyer you can find – The lawyer
you choose can make or break your case. The insurance industry’s own research
reveals that motorcycle crash victims who are represented by experienced lawyers get
settlements worth up to four times more than victims who are not. This is because
insurance companies, adjusters, and defense lawyers know when they’re up against a
seasoned litigator who won’t settle for less than the full value of a client’s case. There’s
also no risk in hiring the best lawyer you can find as these cases are taken on a
contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay a dime unless you win.
How do I find an experienced lawyer?
There are not many attorneys who specialize in motorcycle accidents, but they do exist and they
are not hard to find. If you’ve been hurt in a crash and need a lawyer for your case, look for the
following attributes:
● Experience – You want a lawyer who has handled dozens if not hundreds of motorcycle
accident cases
● Specialization – Your lawyer should specialize exclusively in automotive accidents
● Track record – You want a lawyer who has a long track record of success in these
cases, including million-dollar settlements and verdicts
● Reputation – Your lawyer should have a strong reputation among insurance companies,
adjusters, and defense attorneys who know he or she will never settle for less than the
full value of a client’s case.
An attorney with these attributes is your best bet when it comes to getting a big motorcycle
accident settlement as quickly as possible.