If you end up involved in a motorcycle accident, you want to ensure that you are compensated fairly. However, you probably don’t have much familiarity with the injury compensation system, so how can you get a fair settlement from the insurance company? There’s no perfect playbook, but if you take a few simple steps after your accident, we’re confident that you can improve your odds of earning a favorable award or settlement. In today’s blog, we share six tips for improving your settlement offer after a Minnesota motorcycle accident.
How To Get A Bigger Settlement Offer After A Motorcycle Accident
If you keep these tips in mind, we’re confident that you can avoid being taken advantage of by the insurance company after your motorcycle accident.
1. Reach Out To A Lawyer – There is a lot at stake with your injury claim, and you need to have a professional by your side to help navigate the claims process. The insurance company will have a team of professionals on their side, and they’ll eat you alive due to inexperience if you try to win your case on your own. Let a lawyer build a strong claim and fight back with real calculations as to the total worth of your injury claim. If you want the best chance at maximizing your injury award, you need to hire an injury firm.
2. Get Prompt Medical Attention – One of the first things you’ll need to do right after the accident is to get a medical evaluation from a professional. This provides an official medical report as to the nature and extent of your injuries, proving that they were the result of your accident. Proving fault or liability may come later, but at the outset you need to prove that injuries exist, and the insurance company isn’t just going to make a payout because “your neck hurts.” You need an official diagnosis, so head to a doctor’s office for an evaluation.
3. Document The Scene – This tip can be a little harder to follow after a motorcycle accident because motorcycle riders tend to suffer more severe injuries that require prompt medical attention. You may not have the opportunity to document the scene or collect witness information. If you do, be sure to snap some pictures with your cell phone and grab witness information, but if you don’t, that’s out of your control. If possible, try to document the scene of the accident.
4. Don’t Fix Your Bike – You may want to fix the damage to your motorcycle after an accident, but it’s best to let your claim play out first. Leaving your motorcycle damaged can help accident reconstruction experts better understand the scene, and it can help to build your case. Rushing to repair your vehicle can get rid of helpful evidence for your case.
5. Report The Accident – You are going to need to report the accident to the police and eventually your insurance company. While you want to be helpful when talking to these parties, stick to the facts and avoid oversharing, as this can actually serve to hurt your claim. It’s oftentimes helpful to talk with a lawyer before providing an official statement to the insurance company just so that you’re aware of some of the ways they may try to trip you up and reduce their liability for your accident.
6. Keep Quiet Until Everything Plays Out – Finally, it’s best to just keep your head down and avoid talking about the case with friends or family until everything is settled. Emotions can run high after an accident, and the potential of a large financial windfall (even if it is to offset major injuries) can cause people to act differently. Avoid social media and be wary of going into specifics with anyone who isn’t directly involved in your case. There’s no good that can come of it and plenty of damage that can be done, so avoid discussing case details until a settlement has been reached.
If you follow the last five tips and move forward with Hey Workers as your legal representation, we’re confident that you can earn a fair and lucrative settlement offer after your motorcycle accident. For more information, or to see if you may have a case, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
