Choosing the right Motorcycle Accident Attorney can help you receive fair compensation for your injuries. An experienced attorney can also handle the complex legal process, eliminating stress and avoiding costly mistakes. Contact Baltimore Motorcycle Accident Attorney now!
An attorney will meticulously evaluate your case by sourcing pertinent information, assembling witness testimonies, and investigating the accident scene. They will also strategically time the filing of a claim until you reach maximum medical improvement.
Many victims of motorcycle accidents suffer from a variety of medical conditions. They may have broken bones, severe lacerations, strained ligaments, and abrasions, or even permanent scarring. These injuries require immediate and extensive medical attention to ensure the safety and health of an accident victim. A comprehensive physical exam and treatment plan also provide valuable information that will strengthen a legal claim for compensation.
Properly identifying and treating all injuries resulting from a motorcycle crash prevents the deterioration of the injury and enhances an injured victim’s chances of recovering maximum compensation. It is important to see a specialized accident doctor who will attend to the injuries, list them meticulously and assist with the process of filing an insurance claim.
A reputable medical professional will advise on X-rays, CT scans or MRI to provide a detailed visual interpretation of the internal condition of an injured person’s body. The medical specialist can help set the bones after a fracture, advise on the best course of treatment for soft tissue tear repairs and treat other nagging pains caused by the accident.
Many injured motorcycle accident victims are in shock at the time of the crash. They might ignore symptoms like a sore neck, stiff shoulders and a loss of coordination, thinking that it is normal to feel this way after such a traumatic event. However, these symptoms could be indicators of a soft tissue injury or a concussion.
Staying in contact with medical providers will allow them to make adjustments to a patient’s care plan as required by changes to an injured victim’s condition. It is a cliche to hear that one must follow their doctor’s orders after an accident, but it is essential not to skip appointments or interfere with your medical treatment.
Documentation
A police report is one of the most important documents in a motorcycle accident case. It includes an initial assessment of faults and violations, as well as witness statements. This information can help determine liability for the crash. It can also provide valuable information in legal disputes over the accident.
It’s also a good idea to gather contact information from eyewitnesses. Their testimonies can play a crucial role in determining liability, as they will confirm accident details from different perspectives. They can also help support your claim for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
Documentation of your injuries is also essential. You should keep receipts for all medical treatment and care you receive, as well as any transportation expenses associated with your injury. This information will allow your lawyer to verify the amount of money you have spent on medical bills and to make sure you are receiving full compensation for all the ways that the accident has affected your life.
If you have a motorcycle and are out of work due to your injuries, you will need documentation of lost earnings. This can include past pay stubs or tax documents. Your attorney will use this to calculate the amount of lost wages that you can be compensated for.
The most important document for your lawyer to have is a copy of the crash report. Your lawyer will review this carefully and use it to determine who is at fault for the accident. He or she will also use other evidence, such as physical evidence from the scene, witnesses’ testimonies, and expert testimony, to strengthen your case. A good attorney will have a firm understanding of personal injury law and the laws specific to bikers, as well as the ability to negotiate with insurance companies and win settlements or court judgments that are fair to their clients.
Witness Statements
Witness statements are an essential part of any accident case. They help corroborate events and provide a clear picture of the accident. In addition, witnesses are often able to shed light on the actions of parties involved, which can prove invaluable in establishing liability.
The best time to get a witness statement is at the scene of the accident. Before witnesses leave the scene, try to approach them and politely ask if they would be willing to give a statement about what they saw. If possible, record their statements or take notes on paper. If a person is unwilling to make a statement at the scene, it is important to contact them later so that they can be interviewed in private. In some cases, a witness may also be asked to testify in court.
Eyewitness statements are essential to any motorcycle accident case. They can verify key details such as the date, time, and location of the accident. They can also help establish the sequence of events and corroborate the victim’s account of the accident, which can be helpful in determining fault.
Witnesses can also play a role in demonstrating the severity of the accident and the extent of the injuries. Their testimony can also be useful in demonstrating economic and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
The motorcycle accident lawyers at Andrews, Bernstein & Maranto are experienced in interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence. They know how to ask open-ended questions that encourage witnesses to provide a detailed account without influencing their answers. They are also familiar with the types of documents that can be used in court, including written witness statements and video recordings.
Insurance Coverage
Whether it is an accident or another event, your attorney will help you obtain the proper coverage that is available to you. It is important to have sufficient insurance to pay for your medical bills, property damages and more. In addition to liability insurance, your motorcycle accident lawyer can also help you obtain no-fault and uninsured motorist coverage.
Liability insurance is required by New York State and provides protection against financial loss if you cause an accident that results in injury or damage to other people or their vehicles. Liability insurance will cover the cost of repairs up to your policy’s limit minus your deductible.
Collision coverage is optional but will reimburse you for the book value of your motorcycle minus any deductible after an accident. If your bike is financed, your lender will likely require you to have this coverage. Equipment coverage is an optional add-on to comprehensive coverage and will reimburse you for the cost of specialized parts, such as custom paint or chrome wheels.
It is recommended that motorcyclists also have personal injury protection or no-fault (PIP) and med-pay coverage as part of their motorcycle insurance. This coverage will pay for a rider’s medical expenses, lost wages and other incidental costs in the event of an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
It is common for insurance companies to try and convince motorcycle accident victims to accept a low settlement. Your attorney can provide detailed documentation of your losses and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. They can also file a lawsuit against the at-fault party when necessary to get you the compensation you deserve. In addition, your attorney will help you secure a medical lien to pay for your medical treatment before receiving compensation from the at-fault party.
Compensation
A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They will also work to ensure that other liable parties pay their fair share of the damages – including a rider’s own insurance company.
A lawyer will review your medical records, consult with your doctors, and take into account your specific circumstances when determining the appropriate amount to request in a settlement. They will also take into account how your injuries have affected your quality of life, such as the inability to drive, cook, or clean, which can impact your ability to provide for yourself and your family.
An experienced attorney can help you build a strong case by collecting evidence such as police reports, medical bills, witness statements, and physical evidence at the scene of the crash. They will visit the site to look for skid marks, tire treads, scrapes and scratches on the roadway and other items that may indicate who was at fault for the accident. They will also interview witnesses to gather their statements and determine their level of knowledge of the crash and its causes.
In New York, victims have three years to file a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful death resulting from a motorcycle accident. However, if someone was killed by a governmental entity (city, county, town, or state), the statute of limitations is two years from the date of their death.
Insurance companies are often reluctant to offer fair settlements for motorcycle accidents. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can navigate these negotiations and anticipate the tactics that insurance companies use to avoid financial liability. They can negotiate a fair settlement for you or take the case to trial if necessary to ensure that you receive the full and fair compensation that you deserve.