Imagine this scenario: It’s a breezy evening in Houston, and you’ve decided to take your motorcycle out for a quick after dinner spin. You’re enjoying the ride and relishing the fresh air when, out of nowhere, a distracted driver changes lanes without seeing you, sideswiping you and knocking you clean off your bike.
Needless to say, such an event can be traumatizing, resulting in significant injury as well as damage to your motorcycle. All of a sudden, your peaceful after dinner ride has turned into a nightmare. One of the best things you can do is to file a claim with the driver’s insurance company, seeking restitution for your medical expenses, lost wages, motorcycle replacement, and so forth.
Tips for a Smoother Motorcycle Accident Claims Process
Navigating the insurance claims process can be a hassle and a headache, even under the best circumstances. When you’re anxious and injured, the process can be downright excruciating. Thankfully, there are a few tips you can follow to ensure the smoothest process and the most desirable outcomes possible.
1) Gather Evidence
If you’re able to safely collect any information at the scene of the accident, such as taking pictures with your phone, do so. Try to collect images of all the damage to your bike; the position of the car that was involved; any visible injuries you’ve sustained; any damage to surrounding properties, like fences or medians; and the insurance cards or contact information from the driver and any witnesses. Such evidence can greatly strengthen your claim.
2) Seek Medical Treatment
Even if you don’t believe your injuries to be serious, you should always seek a consultation from your doctor. Keep records of the diagnosis, the treatment plan, and medications you take, any follow-up or referral appointments, and so on. Make it clear to the insurance company that you have truly sustained injuries and have done your due diligence to get treated.
3) Communicate Clearly with the Insurance Company
After the accident, we recommend calling your insurance company as soon as possible to get the ball rolling on your claim. Before you provide a statement to the other party’s insurance company, however, we advise meeting with legal counsel.
4) Don’t Repair Your Bike
This can be tough, but generally, we’d recommend preserving your bike as-is, ensuring that you can submit it as evidence should it be necessary to do so.
5) Choose the Right Attorney
Finally, to help alleviate some of the frustration from the insurance claims process, we advise you to choose a skilled attorney with experience handling motorcycle accident cases. At McLaurin Law, we’re pleased to offer our guidance and our passion to injured motorcyclists throughout the Houston area.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
The bottom line: Motorcycle accidents can be traumatizing, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Seek the legal counsel you need by reaching out to McLaurin Law at any time.
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