Being involved in a motorcycle accident is a horrible experience, especially if the motorcycle accident results in serious injuries or even death for the rider. However, these accidents are not always the fault of the motorcyclist. Sometimes they are also caused by the fault of another vehicle. If you are the victim of a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of the driver of another vehicle, then you can file a claim with the driver’s insurance company for the accident.
Apparently, there are some common mistakes that you should avoid if you are involved in a bike accident. Make sure you don’t make these mistakes to increase your chances of getting the fairest compensation possible.
Common Mistakes Must Avoid After an Accident
Here are some common mistakes you should avoid after a bike accident:
1. Not Contacting the Police
Once you have been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by the driver of another motorist, you should contact the police immediately. Call 911 and report the accident. Describe the chronology of the accident as clearly as possible. Provide information about where and when the accident occurred. Even if the other driver who hit you tells you not to call the police, you should still call 911. You should not underestimate your injuries from the accident as you do not not know the extent of your injuries. If something hurts, or you see blood, call for an ambulance too. Also, if you are badly injured, and cannot afford to call the police, you can have someone call them. Also make sure you get the contact information of witnesses.
2. Delaying Medical Treatment
After an accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Never delay medical attention even if you do not feel seriously injured. Because often severe injuries are not immediately apparent. They may appear hours or days after the accident. Even if you are wearing a helmet, there is a concern that head trauma may occur and symptoms may only appear days later. Don’t forget to document your injuries for evidence. If you do not document your injuries as soon as possible, the insurance company may not believe you.
Also, if you don’t seek medical attention immediately, it will be harder to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident. Call the police immediately and request any emergency assistance you need at the scene of the accident. Then get yourself checked by a doctor. Get X-rays done to reveal any injuries you may not have realized. Remember to keep receipts of your medical expenses. You will need it when you want to file an insurance claim. The more documentation and evidence you have, the better your chances of getting compensation.
3. Not Staying at the Accident Site
When you’re in a motorcycle accident, you’re bound to panic. Sometimes, you even run away from the scene to avoid trouble, because you’re afraid of being blamed. When you are involved in a motorcycle accident and you leave the scene, you are making a mistake. No matter what the situation is, you should stay at the scene of the accident. By law, you are required to stay at the scene until the police arrive. Leaving the scene can make you look guilty, even if you are not. Therefore, it is important that you stay at the scene of the accident, so that you can describe how the accident happened. Also, if you are injured, you should not leave the scene until medical help arrives. You can move to a safe place near the scene.
4. Not Documenting the Accident Location
When you have a motorbike accident, don’t forget to take several photos, such as photos of the incident location, the injuries you suffered and photos of the damage to your vehicle. Of course, this is very useful as evidence. Apart from that, you must also save all damaged parts of your motorbike and do not repair them before they are checked by the authorities. However, remember that this is only done if you can do it. If your injury is serious, and you can’t take photos, then don’t do it. Maybe this also seems to happen frequently because motorbike riders often suffer injuries after accidents so they are unable to take pictures of the scene of the incident, the injuries they experienced and photos of the damage to the vehicle. For this case, you might also be able to ask people who were around the accident location (witnesses) to take several pictures related to the accident.
5. Don’t Assume You Are Guilty
To increase your chances of getting compensation from the insurance company, you should never assume that you are at fault. The point is that you don’t need to admit your mistake or apologize for the accident because you really weren’t at fault. If you do this, it will definitely harm you. It is possible that you will have difficulty getting compensation or compensation from the insurance company. You may say that you are sorry because someone who was involved in an accident with you was hurt or injured. However, don’t say that this is all your fault. Especially if you get a more serious injury.
6. Providing a Statement to the Insurance Agent
After an accident, you may be contacted by the insurance company of the driver who hit you and asked to provide a statement. Usually the perpetrator will try to trick you into saying something that could harm you. In this case, you must be careful not to make statements that will harm yourself. Refer all insurance company representatives to your attorney and again never provide recorded statements to anyone or you will regret it.
7. Talk to the Other Person’s Insurance Company or Attorney
For your own good, don’t talk to other people’s insurance companies or attorneys at all. Provide the police and your insurance company with the facts until you speak to a lawyer who will help you with your case. If you talk to the insurance company or someone else’s attorney and say more than necessary, it could hurt your case. Also remember not to admit wrongdoing to anyone. Because this is really not your fault, and you are just a victim. Then, if the insurance company asks about your vehicle damage or injuries, just tell them you’ll get back to them after you’ve been seen by a doctor and after your bike has been checked by a professional.
8. Posting on Social Media
Apart from giving a statement to the insurance provider, you should also not post anything on social media regarding the accident that happened to you. Any social media post can be found easily. It is feared that insurance actors will use this against you. Therefore, do not post anything about your accident or injury on social media and at this time also do not accept new friend requests on social media that you fear will harm you.
9. Not Hiring a Lawyer
When you are the victim of a motorcycle accident, not hiring a lawyer is a big mistake. This means that you must immediately contact a lawyer who is truly experienced in motorbike accidents and knows the ins and outs of motorbike accident claims. In these cases, you need an attorney who truly understands the nuances of motorcycle riding including driver distraction, visibility issues, counter steering, the use of hand signals during group riding, and more.
It’s not a good idea to handle a claim on your own, especially while you’re recovering. It’s time for you to look for a reliable lawyer. An experienced lawyer will be able to do various things that can help you, such as:
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- Evaluate your claim
- Organize and present evidence or costs of your treatment
- Negotiate with the insurance company to get you the most fair compensation possible
- Take your case to court if you feel it is necessary
With the help of an attorney, you will likely get a better solution with legal representation. You also don’t have to pay attorney fees until your case is won.
Conclusion
There are several common mistakes that often occur when someone is involved in a motorbike accident. These mistakes include not calling 911, not immediately seeking medical treatment, not staying at the accident location, not documenting the accident location, not contacting a lawyer, etc. To increase your chances of getting compensation from the insurance company, avoid these mistakes. Remember that submitting your insurance claim will be easier with a reliable lawyer.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
