According to a recent study published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in Atlanta, there has been an alarming increase in fatal motorcycle accident rates. These accidents were the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 20-64 years old in 2017. The same study found that almost half of all fatal motorcycle accidents occurred on local roads with no traffic signals or stop signs.
A motorcycle accident can be very serious, and often the person in the accident will have to file a claim with their insurance company or another party responsible for their medical bills and other expenses. However, they may not be aware of some of the common mistakes that are made when doing so. An Atlanta injury attorney can help ensure you don’t make these mistakes while trying to recover from your injuries.
If you or someone you love has recently been involved in a motorcycle crash, that doesn’t mean your life is over. Read on for some helpful insights on handling your personal injury claim after a motorcycle crash, so you don’t make any avoidable mistakes. Also, make sure to contact a capable Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer for assistance to get the help you need for moving forward with your claim. The Super Lawyer Legal Group is eager to assist you in securing the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Here are a few ways to help you avoid key mistakes in your motorcycle accident claim:
1) Avoid Hiring An Inexperienced Lawyer
Just like choosing a general practitioner over a specialist, choosing an attorney that isn’t well-versed could cause you to lose out on compensation for your injuries. Additionally, it’s important to remember that just because another party refers your attorney doesn’t mean he or she will be able to help you. The best way to find a lawyer who knows what they’re doing is to ask and research yourself. Most importantly, don’t hire someone until you feel confident they can deliver results.
When someone reaches out to us, at the Super Lawyer Legal Group, we help them walk through their case during the initial consultation phase so they can best understand how we can help them get compensated fairly!
2) Avoid Delaying Treatment
The most important thing to do after a motorcycle accident is to examine yourself thoroughly for any injuries. If you are hit while riding in Atlanta on a motorcycle, there is a high chance that you’ll suffer from some kind of injury. Make sure to check for the following:
- Concussion
- TBI
- Whiplash
- Cuts
- Scratches
- Bruises
- Sprains
- Pains in your joints
If you have sustained any of these injuries, you need to get them checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Concussions and TBI (traumatic brain injury) can have long-lasting effects if not treated properly. If you have any injuries, you should get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.
Many people put off getting therapy for several weeks. By doing so, you offer the insurance company the option to claim that you were not harmed in the crash. If you are hurt at the site, get medical attention immediately. If you don’t feel discomfort until the next day, which is fairly typical, make an appointment to get those symptoms documented.
Even though you might be in a lot of pain, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. If your injuries are severe, even mild ones can worsen quickly. Remember that no doctor’s bill or medical service is free – you will always have an out-of-pocket expense for treatment, no matter how small.
The earlier you seek treatment after an accident, the better chance your claim has of being successful. Sometimes, your insurance company may not pay any compensation if you delay seeking treatment. This argument could severely limit or eliminate any compensation you would receive from filing a motorcycle accident claim in Atlanta.
3) Don’t Leave Any Evidence Behind
Evidence is key in a motorcycle accident claim. To prove that the accident was not your fault, you’ll need to collect evidence that shows the other driver was at fault. You should immediately take pictures of the accident scene and your motorcycle to document the damage.
While you should always gather evidence from a motorcycle accident scene, do not touch anything with your bare hands. If it is dark outside, use a flashlight and wear gloves to protect your fingerprints. This will help prevent any holes in your claim later on and increase compensation for negligence on behalf of another driver or business. It’s important to take pictures as soon as possible after an accident occurs—don’t wait until morning!
The longer you wait, the more likely evidence will be lost.
If you sustained any injuries, you should also see a doctor as soon as possible and ask for copies of the X-rays and other medical records.
If a police officer shows up at the scene, you should ask that he or she take a statement about what happened. You should also ask for a copy of the police report and include it with your claim.
4) Don’t Take Another Person’s Advice Over Your Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer’s Opinion
While it may seem like a convenient solution, there are many pitfalls when taking another person’s advice over your lawyer’s opinion. To ensure that you have made the best decision possible in selecting legal representation, talk with your lawyer about any recommendations from friends before making any decisions regarding your accident claim.
5) Don’t Settle For Anything Less Than Full Compensation
Most people who’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident expect that they’ll have to take time off from work and incur medical bills, among other expenses. Unfortunately, many of these individuals aren’t prepared for how challenging it can be to navigate an insurance claim following an accident. An attorney can help you receive a fair settlement that covers all your financial needs. Don’t settle for anything less than full compensation!
Hire A Professional Atlanta Injury Attorney Who Knows How To Handle Motorcycle Accident Claims
You may want to handle the process of filing your claim on your own, or you may have been advised to do such by a close friend or relative, but we don’t recommend it. Filing a motorcycle accident claim is a complicated process, and it’s best to let a professional Atlanta injury attorney from the Super Lawyer Legal Group, handle it for you. We are experienced in handling all types of automobile accident claims, especially motorcycle accident claims. Reach out to our capable Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers to get compensation for your loss without having to worry about anything.
The initial consultation is free. What are you waiting for? Call us now!
