If you have been in a motorcycle accident, the next step is filing an injury claim for the damages incurred. Unfortunately, New York's no-fault law doesn't extend to motorcycles because they aren't categorized as motor vehicles. That means no-fault insurance coverage won't pay for your medical treatment if you're injured. Issues like these make motorcycle accident cases tricky to navigate. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, here are six ways to maximize your compensation.
Hire an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accidents often lead to severe injuries because no metal body protects you from impact. When recovering from an accident, the last thing you need is to follow up with insurance companies and the liable party to get compensation. It's best to work with competent legal aid, like Garden City motorcycle accident Lawyers from LiLawyer.com, who understand New York City and state laws. They will know how to navigate the legal process and maximize your claim.
File an Injury Claim as Soon as You Can
It's advisable to file a claim as soon as possible. First, the New York statute of limitations requires you to file a claim within three years. That means you have limited time. Secondly, the sooner you file the case, the sooner you recover your rights. And the longer you postpone the case, the harder it will be to collect the evidence needed to support your case.
Once you file the claim, the attorney must inform the other party. This will protect you in the future. They can't claim you took a long time to inform them of the injuries.
Collect Evidence to Support Your Case
According to motorcycle accident statistics, riders are more likely to die or be severely injured in an accident compared to motorists. You need as much evidence as possible to strengthen your personal injury lawsuit. While an attorney can help you in gathering evidence, you can also collect evidence at the scene immediately after the accident. Of course, that's assuming you aren't severely injured and are in a position to.
Take photos of the motorcycle, the car that hit you, and other important details at the scene, like debris from the crash and intersections nearby. You should also take photos of any physical injuries you have and collect witnesses' contact information.
Get Medical Care
You should seek medical care immediately, even if the injuries seem minor or you can't see any. Sometimes, the adrenaline coursing through your veins prevents you from feeling pain. In other cases, you may have internal injuries, but you assume you're fine. Medical records show the nature and extent of the injuries.
The medical reports from your treatment are part of the evidence you'll need. They'll give the other team a clear picture of the damage the accident caused. While physical injuries like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are easy to prove, others, like pain and suffering, are more tricky to calculate. A medical document shows the type of care you need to recover from the injuries you have sustained.
Avoid Social Media Until the Case Is Settled
Avoiding social media doesn't mean you can't scroll through the timeline. It just means you should avoid posting anything related to the case. The insurance company has hired attorneys who are collecting evidence against you. That can include whatever you post on your timeline. If you post videos of yourself dancing at a carnivore dancing or skiing, yet you claim to have limited mobility, you'll be compromising your claim. It's best to avoid social media until your case is resolved.
Don't Rush to Accept the First Offer
Even if the first settlement is enough to cover expenses, accepting it is only sometimes advisable. This sends a message that you won't just accept whatever is offered and are serious about getting the right compensation. Understandably, your medical expenses may be stacking up, and you're worried about how to cover them. But the truth is that motorcycle accident claims do take time. Your attorney will inform you whether the amount you're being given is reasonable or to continue negotiating for a larger settlement.
When recovering from an accident, the last thing you should go through is being compensated unfairly. As long as you have evidence and an experienced motorcycle attorney, you can maximize your compensation.
