Whether a big rig ran your moped off the freeway near Modesto; or a careless DUI driver T-boned your bike at an intersection in Roseville and gave you a concussion, you want to take active, effective steps to hold the liable party responsible and get your life back on track.
Here are four mission-critical pieces of advice to bear in mind the wake of your crash.
#1. “Over-collect” information from the scene.
Research shows that our memories of traumatic incidences are surprisingly porous and unreliable. In other words, your personal account of the motorcycle accident will naturally distort over time. To protect against this tendency, compile evidence from the accident immediately.
If you’re too sick or injured because of the crash, deputize someone you trust, such as a passenger or family member, to write down information for you. Evidence that might be helpful will generally include:
- Insurance info for all parties involved
- Names and phone numbers
- Vehicle identification numbers (VINs)
- Contact info for witnesses
- Driver’s license info
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Photographs of any injuries and/or damage to your vehicle
#2. Don’t leave the scene before filling out a police report.
If you leave an accident that you caused or contributed to without filing a police report, you could face criminal charges. Also, remember that a police report may redound to your benefit later on as key evidence to support your case.
#3. Don’t apologize or make admissions of fault — even if your actions did contribute to the crash.
Information you disclose to other drivers or witnesses — or to the insurance company who represents the driver who hit you — can and likely will be used to try to dismiss your claim. Even making seemingly innocent remarks — such as telling another driver “I’m so sorry!” — can boomerang on you and imperil your chances to collect money to pay for your hospital bills, medical care, time off of work, and rehabilitation.
#4. Don’t wait to get help — legal, medical, and otherwise.
If you or a loved one recently got into a motorcycle crash, don’t wait to consult and retain a qualified Sacramento personal injury lawyer. First of all, the evidence from the accident will degrade and eventually vanish. So forensic work should be done ASAP. Secondly, you might be underestimating your damage. Perhaps you walked away from the accident wobbly and disoriented but “still in one piece.” True, you might be fine. But latent damage can take days or even weeks to show up. If, weeks later, you start having splitting headaches, and your doctor diagnoses you with mild traumatic brain injury, you will want good legal help on your side.
The moral here is: don’t take chances. Get professional help from a reputable Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney.
For a free and confidential consultation about your motorcycle accident, connect with the law offices of Thomas S. Geraghty at 800.529.0807, or learn more about us at http://www.tsglawfirm.com.
Posted on 02/07/2011. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
