Spring has arrived, and that means it’s motorcycle riding season again in Minnesota. It’s also a time when we see an increase in motorcycle accident claims. We want to help you get the most money possible for your case, but there’s only so much we can do if you make some mistakes early on in the process. In today’s blog, we take a look at some of the mistakes you’ll want to avoid after a motorcycle accident in which you’ll be filing an injury claim.
Mistakes To Avoid After A Motorcycle Accident
If you want to help yourself get the most money for your injury claim in the wake of a motorcycle accident, you’ll want to avoid doing these five things.
1. Admitting Fault Or Apologizing – They say we’re “Minnesota Nice,” but you’ll want to avoid being overly polite in the wake of a motorcycle accident. If you apologize for your actions or admit to the other party or a police officer that you were in the wrong, it can limit your compensation options. Even if you don’t mean it this way, saying that you’re sorry can be viewed as an admission of fault. Check on others after the accident, but don’t start apologizing, as much as you may want to.
2. Lying – Don’t lie about any aspect of your claim, because it could easily end up tanking your case. Don’t lie about running a red light or say that you saw the other driver texting before the crash if it didn’t happen, because if it comes to light that you are lying, you may only end up with a fraction of what you’re filing for. Be truthful, but also be concise so that you don’t end up contradicting other parts of your story.
3. Not Getting A Medical Evaluation – A motorcycle accident can leave a person in shock, and the adrenaline in your system can mask your injuries in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Don’t just assume you’re fine, especially if something doesn’t feel right. If you wait to get an evaluation, the insurance company may argue that you aren’t all that injured or that you actually got injured in another manner. Seek prompt medical attention soon after the accident.
4. Failing To Document Thoroughly – The more you document important parts of your case, the easier it will be to collect compensation. This includes things like:
- Photographing the accident
- Photographing your injuries
- Getting an independent medical evaluation
- Getting the contact information of any witnesses
- Filing an official police report
- Writing down names, dates and conversation topics when talking with the insurance company about your case
5. Not Contacting A Lawyer – You may be hoping that you can pursue and settle your case on your own, and while you may be able to do that, odds are the insurance company is going to propose a much worse settlement than if you had an expert attorney by your side. The insurance company will have professionals in their corner, so you need to have an expert on your side that is fighting for your rights. If you truly want to maximize your claim and avoid getting taken for a ride by the insurance company, don’t skip out on contacting a law firm after the accident.
If you can avoid all of the above common mistakes after a motorcycle accident, we’re confident you’ll be able to collect damages for what you rightly deserve. For more information, or for help with your motorcycle injury case, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today.
