What Should I Do in the Event of a Motorcycle Accident?
- Contact Police: Give a brief statement to the police officer giving your side of the accident. Admit nothing, sign nothing. Even if you think you were in the wrong, the other driver may be equally responsible. Make certain that a Police Report is filed.
- Identify the Driver: Obtain the other driver’s name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle driven. Ask to see their driver’s license and the name of the insurance company and the policy number.
- Seek Medical Treatment: If you are the injured party, seek medical treatment immediately. Maintain records of all medical services provided and the bills for those services. Be sure to have all medical providers bill your health insurance, Medicare, Tricare, etc.
- Witnesses: Get as much information as possible from everyone who observed the accident. Their name, phone number(s), address, etc. Ask the witnesses write down a statement of what they observed regarding the accident.
- Insurance: Contact your Insurance Agency as required. DO NOT speak to the other driver’s Insurance Company!
What Does LawBike Do?
- Our office will initially investigate your motorcycle accident case. The investigation includes obtaining photographs and/or video of the motorcycle accident, witness statements, police reports, and any other information that may be available to determine how the accident happened, and who is responsible.
- As the investigation is being conducted, our office will prepare a letter to all the available insurance companies, requesting available coverages. This includes the other driver’s company, your motorcycle insurance, and any other policies you may have available.
- UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE. There are situations where the driver of the other vehicle had no insurance or had insurance in the least amount that can be carried by law. You are permitted to make a claim under your own insurance policy if you have uninsured motorist coverage. Sometimes this coverage may be the only source of recovery for yourself or your family for the negligence of another driver. It is also important to report the motorcycle accident to all insurance polices of motor vehicles in your household as soon as possible (this includes automobile polices and policies of household relatives).
- Any inquiries from the person responsible for your injuries or their representatives, including their insurance company, should be referred to our office. DO NOT discuss the details of your motorcycle accident or your injuries with people who are not entitled to that information. If an insurance company representative contacts you, inform them that you are represented by our law firm and refer them to us for any information they seek. DO NOT MAKE STATEMENTS TO THEM. If you have already made statements to any insurance company representative or anyone else, notify us immediately of these statements so we can obtain a copy of them
- We will send a letter requesting medical records and bills from all the medical providers. Please provide us with an accurate and updated list of doctors as you complete your recovery. Photographs of your injuries may be requested, beginning with the initial injury through the healing process, and of any permanent scarring. It is important that you communicate with us during the course of your medical treatment and with any questions you may have regarding your treatment.
- You should continue to go to a doctor as long as your injuries continue to bother you. Cooperate with your doctor in every way, and relate to him truthfully and fully all symptoms that you have that were a result of this accident. Answer completely all questions that he asks you. Medical treatment often takes time to produce results. Please be patient with your recovery progress, and continue to obtain the medical care you need.
- If you have had prior injuries, particularly to the same area of the body, you must let us know. This information often appears in medical records, and it is not in your best interest to attempt to hide that fact. As long as we are made aware of any prior or subsequent injuries, we can deal with them.
- We will also settle your property damage claim at no cost to you. This means we will get the best possible value for your motorcycle and personal property that was damaged in the accident. If possible, provide receipts for any custom/addon parts and accessories on your motorcycle, and any gear, or personal property.
- The Settlement Demand. We will exhaust all resources to settle your motorcycle case with the insurance companies. In order to recover the maximum amount possible, we wait to see the full extent and permanence of your injuries before we decide on a specific amount. This way, we are able to recover an amount proportionate to the nature and extent of your motorcycle injuries. If a fair offer is not tendered, then we will file a lawsuit against the negligent parties. We will NEVER settle your claim without your permission, and we are bound to advise you of any offers of settlement that are made to us on your behalf.
- In the state of Georgia, you are permitted to file a lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. This time period is provided for by law and once that time period has elapsed, you are forever barred from pursuing your claim. We usually will not initiate a lawsuit until the permanency of your injuries becomes known or until this time period is about to elapse, whichever comes first.
Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions you may have. We will do our best to represent you fairly and aggressively and will keep you informed of the progress of your case.