After a motorcycle accident, you can expect to speak with multiple parties about what happened. This includes the police, your doctor, and your Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer.
You can also expect a call or a visit from the liable party’s insurance company. Do not talk to them without consulting your attorney first. Doing so could jeopardize your legal case and your right to fair compensation.
Expect the Police to Respond to Your Bike Crash
If a traffic accident results in property damage, injuries, or fatalities, it must be reported to the police. You can talk to the police at the accident scene or, if you are severely injured and need medical help immediately, after getting medical care.
Either way, you should call 911 right away. The police can help you get whatever assistance you need and start an investigation into the causes of the motorcycle accident.
Questions That Police Officers Ask After Motorcycle Collisions
You should cooperate with the police by giving brief, factual answers to their questions. These questions may include:
- What were you doing in the moments leading up to the crash?
- Did you see what the other driver was doing before the crash?
- Are you injured?
- What did you do right after the accident?
With your information and that of others, they can generate a police report.
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Your Doctor and Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries
If your injuries are clearly serious or you have any concerns about your health at all, go to the emergency room. At the very least, you should schedule an appointment with your primary care provider as soon as possible to make sure you get whatever medical attention you need.
Getting Medical Treatment for Motorcycle Accident Injuries
The only way your doctor can provide the right treatment is if you are completely honest with them about your symptoms and how the injury happened. Answer your doctor’s questions to the best of your ability so they can:
- Accurately diagnose your injuries
- Recommend and provide the most helpful treatments
- Create a complete record of your visit(s)
Speaking to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Once you have addressed your immediate medical needs, it is time to start considering your legal options. You have the right to sue the party who caused your crash, and you have the right to hire an attorney to represent you.
What Do Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Do?
Law firms exist to guide clients through a complex legal process that is all too often unfriendly to those who are in pain and/or unfamiliar with the law. Your motorcycle crash lawyer can:
- Give you time to ask plenty of questions so that you get a better sense of the services they offer and what they can do for you
- Explain your legal options so you can make a decision based on a thorough understanding of your rights and responsibilities
- Manage your insurance claim, including filing paperwork and communicating with others while you recuperate from your injuries
- Determine who caused your crash and how much your personal injury claim is worth by collecting evidence from a variety of sources
- Meet with the at-fault party’s insurer and negotiate for the money you deserve
- Prepare the settlement agreement after successful negotiations—or work with you to decide when it is the right time to take your case to trial
- Present your case in the courtroom before a judge and jury, using evidence, testimony, and oral arguments to convince them that you need damages
Expect to Act Quickly When Filing a Motorcycle Injury Case
You and your personal injury lawyer can file a motorcycle accident lawsuit for a limited time after the crash occurs. As an example, Georgia’s statute of limitations (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) typically allows motorcycle accident victims to file lawsuits for up to two years following the injury.
When is the best time to hire a personal injury attorney? As soon as possible. The best course of action is usually to see a doctor first and then find a lawyer right after that.
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People to Be Careful Around After a Bike Accident
After a motorcycle accident, you can expect various parties to come to you for information. Some of these requests may be made in good faith, but others are not. For example:
- Insurance adjusters for the at-fault party’s insurer may offer you a quick settlement or request that you sign documentation or record a statement.
- News reporters who are covering the accident might reach out to you to get your perspective.
- Friends and acquaintances, both in real life and on social media, may express their concerns and ask about what happened.
- You will have to tell your employer that you were injured and need time off work. Your employer may then ask for additional information about what happened and when you expect to be back on the job.
Speak to Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer First
After the police and your doctor, your legal representative is the first and only person you should freely talk to about your collision. Sharing information with anyone else can put your case at risk: for example, if you post on social media that you feel “okay,” the insurer may use this as evidence that you were not badly injured after all.
Consult your attorney before sharing any information about your accident or your case. They can tell you what to say (or what not to say) to keep your case on track.
Be Especially Wary of Motorcycle Insurance Companies
If you have not already heard from the insurance company, you probably will soon. Their main goal is to keep your settlement low so they can maximize their own profits.
Do not engage directly with the insurer. As soon as they contact you, let them know that you have retained an attorney or intend to do so soon. Then, if they try to contact you again, alert your lawyer so they can take care of the matter.
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We Help Clients Manage Expectations After a Motorcycle Collision
Call Kaine Law today for a free case review. With multiple decades of experience, we know what you can expect after a motorcycle accident and help you deal with whatever comes your way next. We never charge attorney’s fees until our clients recover compensation.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
