Did you know that more than 8 percent of households owned a motorcycle in the United States of America in 2018? Motorcycles offer an exciting and liberating way of getting around and traveling. They’re often fast, fuel-efficient, and a blast to learn how to ride.
The reality is that you run the risk of getting involved in a car accident when riding your motorcycle, and this could put you through the motorcycle accident claims process. If that is the case, it’s your responsibility to learn more about the best ways to proceed for your own well-being.
The good news is that you’re in the perfect place to learn all about the claims process with motorcycle claims and the best way to proceed after you’ve been in an accident. Keep reading to learn more today!
1. Check Yourself for Injuries
The first thing that you should know about motorcycle accident claims is the fact that your health comes first. It’s always important to check your health and ensure that you don’t have any serious injuries after you’ve been in an accident. You should also check on anyone else that is involved in the accident to see that they’re unhurt.
Once you’ve confirmed that everyone is stable, you should always call 911 and report the accident. You won’t get held responsible for the accident when you’re going through the motorcycle claims process on account of calling for help.
2. Understand the Importance of Photos
The more evidence that you can gather after your motorcycle accident the better chance you’ll stand of coming out on the other side of motorcycle accident claims with a settlement in hand. Always make sure that the scene of the accident is safe and secure before you start gathering up the photo evidence. It’s best to use a smartphone camera since that is likely to be on your person.
Try to get pictures from a wide variety of angles to capture the scene of the accident. You should also get plenty of pictures of your motorcycle to document the damage that occurred as a result of the car accident.
Get pictures of the other vehicles that were involved if you get a chance. This evidence could pay big dividends when you start moving through the claims process. You will arm yourself with the evidence to win a court case and move quickly through the claims process.
3. Get Off the Road
Once you’ve documented the scene of your motorcycle accident, take some time to move your bike off of the road and out of harm’s way. Always check to make sure that the situation is safe before you move your bike. It’s likely that approaching drivers won’t be aware of your accident so they won’t know to slow down.
Leaving your damaged motorcycle in the middle of the highway creates a dangerous situation for other drivers that could result in another accident. Debris from accidents and abandoned vehicles are major causes of accidents and injuries. This is especially true if your motorcycle accident happens at night.
4. Gather Information
The process of gathering information is vital for the motorcycle accident claims process. The goal of insurance companies is to avoid paying you money for your injuries and property damage, but gathering information is the best way to protect yourself and your best interests.
It’s important to call the police so that a law enforcement officer can draw up an accident report. This report is a crucial piece of evidence that you’ll use to build your case and prove that you weren’t responsible for the accident. Gathering the right information is the best way to protect your health and your finances.
Always get the contact information of the other parties who are involved in the car accident. This means their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. It’s also wise to get information about the vehicles that were involved in your accident. License plate numbers, and make and model are all great ways to go if you want to gather more evidence.
The name and badge number of the police officer is another nice piece of information to have up your sleeve. The experts at Alpha Accident Lawyers can use this information to build a strong case that helps you get the settlement that you deserve.
5. Get Your Insurance Company Involved
Another good step to take for the motorcycle accident claims process is to get in touch with your motorcycle insurance agent. Make sure that you provide them with all of the information that you’ve gathered after the accident. This will allow for an efficient and streamlined process that results in you getting the money that you deserve sooner.
Don’t give the insurance company estimates of your injuries or property damage until after you’ve visited a hospital and had a mechanic look over your bike. You could short yourself money by taking a guess at the damage before getting the answers that you need.
6. Consider Hiring an Attorney
It’s not a bad idea to consider hiring an attorney who has experience with motorcycle accident claims to build and fight your case. It’s possible that other parties will claim that you were the cause of the accident, and an attorney will know the proper steps to take to defend your rights and reputation.
It’s also possible that your insurance company will deny your motorcycle claims. An attorney will stand up to the insurance company on your behalf to ensure that you receive the money that you’re owed. This is especially true if you’ve experienced serious physical injuries as a result of your accident.
Make the Most of Motorcycle Accident Claims Today
If you’ve been in a recent accident then it makes a ton of sense to learn more about how to proceed with motorcycle accident claims. It’s best to document everything about the scene of the accident and to gather information about the other parties that are involved. You should also contact your insurance company and consider hiring an attorney with motorcycle claims experience.
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