What to Do After a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident
At Law Tigers, we are deeply familiar with the challenges and dangers that motorcyclists face every day on the road. Our team of dedicated motorcycle accident attorney members are committed to defending your rights and securing the justice you deserve. We offer professional, expert legal representation, tailored to the unique needs of motorcyclists. Contact us for a free consultation and let us help you navigate the aftermath of your accident with confidence and support.
If you were in a motorcycle accident in LA, knowing what steps to take is vital for maximizing your financial recovery. The last thing you want is to miss out on compensation because you failed to take the proper action after an accident.
Motorcycle Accident Legal Process
Immediately after a motorcycle accident, you should report it to the police so they can conduct an initial investigation. Also, request a copy of their incident report because you may need it when filing an insurance claim.
Follow up with all medical treatment, keep track of medical and service bills related to the accident, keep a journal of how your injuries impact your daily life, avoid speaking to the at-fault party’s insurance company, and consult an experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer.
Your lawyer will investigate the case and negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. And if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can file a lawsuit to seek maximum compensation for your injuries.
Finally, you should report it to your insurance company. Even if you don’t believe you were at fault, the other party may file a claim against you, and your insurance company may not handle it if you don’t give them notice.
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What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accidents can be overwhelming, but knowing what to do afterward can make a significant difference in protecting your health, rights, and future. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do after a motorcycle accident:
- Move to Safety if Possible
If you’re able, move yourself and your motorcycle out of the way of traffic to prevent further injuries or damage. Prioritize your safety; if moving is painful or impossible, wait for emergency responders.
- Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
Assess your injuries and, if possible, check on others involved in the accident. Even if injuries seem minor, internal injuries can be serious and may not show symptoms immediately.
- Call 911 and Report the Accident
Contact emergency services to report the accident, and ensure that medical help and police are dispatched.
Having a police report is essential for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
- Collect Information and Document the Scene
Gather details from the other driver(s), including name, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance details.
Take photos or videos of the accident scene, your motorcycle, any other vehicles involved, and visible injuries. These can serve as valuable evidence.
- Speak Carefully and Avoid Admitting Fault
Avoid making statements about the accident’s cause, and don’t admit fault or apologize, as this could impact your insurance claim or legal case. Simply describe the facts of the situation to police and other drivers.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries, like concussions or whiplash, may not present symptoms right away.
Obtaining a medical evaluation creates a documented record of your injuries, which is essential if you file a personal injury claim later.
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Contacting Law Tigers or another experienced motorcycle accident attorney ensures you get experienced legal guidance from professionals who understand motorcycle accident cases.
The Law Tigers team can assist you with gathering evidence, managing negotiations, and representing your best interests, especially if you’re seeking compensation for injuries or damages.
- Wait to Notify Your Insurance Company
Do NOT contact your insurance company before talking to an attorney. Insurance companies are not on your side after an accident. Legal representation is critical for getting the compensation you deserve.
- Keep Records of All Expenses and Documentation
Save all documents related to the accident, including medical bills, repair estimates, and police reports.
Tracking your expenses helps you understand the full financial impact of the accident and strengthens your claim for compensation.
Were You At Fault?
California’s pure comparative fault law could impact your case if you were partly at fault for the motorcycle accident. Under pure comparative fault, every party involved in an accident is liable for the degree of harm their actions caused.
What this means for your case is that if you were 20 percent at fault for the accident, the other party or parties are only liable for 80 percent of your compensation. While this law specifically applies to damages awarded in lawsuits, insurance companies use it when determining settlement offers.
One of the best ways to reduce your fault and maximize your compensation is to have an experienced attorney handle your case.
What Damages Can I Seek in a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Through a motorcycle accident insurance claim, you can seek compensation for several types of losses, including:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for your past and future medical treatments related to injuries sustained in the accident, including surgeries, medical devices, medications, and physical therapy
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you lost while recovering from your injuries and the income you will lose in the future due to permanent impairment
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the accident and your injuries
- Property Damage: Compensation for repairing or replacing your damaged or lost property, including your motorcycle
Determining a fair value for your losses is one of the key services a personal injury lawyer provides. They’ll calculate the compensation you deserve by adding up your medical bills, lost wages, and repair bills. And they’ll assess the value of your personal, intangible losses, like pain and suffering and how your injuries will impact your life long-term.
Can I Recover Damages Even If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
California has a universal motorcycle helmet law requiring all riders and passengers to wear adequate safety helmets.
With that said, even if you weren’t wearing a helmet, you can still seek compensation for your injuries. However, the at-fault party’s insurance company may point to your lack of a helmet as evidence that your actions worsened your injuries, particularly if you sustained head injuries.
What If an Unidentified Driver Caused Me to Swerve Off the Road?
If an unidentified driver caused you to swerve off the road and crash, you can seek compensation for your injuries by filing an uninsured motorist claim with your auto insurance provider. Unidentified drivers count as uninsured motorists for the sake of these claims.
While uninsured motorist coverage isn’t mandatory for registered vehicles in California, the state requires all insurance providers to offer it. Unless you opted out of purchasing it and signed the necessary waiver, you should have this insurance coverage.
If your lawyer or the police identify the driver who caused the accident, you can file a claim against their liability coverage policy to seek additional compensation that your uninsured motorist claim didn’t cover.
Contact a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you were in an LA motorcycle accident, contact Law Tigers to speak with a Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney about your case. We’ll explain your options for seeking compensation and walk you through the legal process so you know what to expect from your case.