When filing an injury claim for a motorcycle accident, there is always the question of whether you should or shouldn’t represent yourself.

Manipulating facts and acting on assumptions before meeting with your personal injury lawyer will not do much to help your case; it will only hurt it. People involved in motorcycle accidents usually make two mistakes:

  1. They attempt to file their own claim without legal advice or settle with the insurance company
  2. They underplay the injuries sustained or lie in their claim

Obviously, none of the above does them any good because they end up short-changing themselves and sacrificing their credibility. Don’t sign any releases or agreements that the insurance company might give you until your personal injury lawyer has thoroughly reviewed them. This is because the insurance company might not award you adequate compensation for your pain and suffering, loss of wages, injuries, etc.

How To File An Injury Claim For A Motorcycle Accident

When planning to file an injury claim for a motorcycle accident, you have to collect all the evidence that can be used to build your case. You should have a checklist of the things that you should do in case you are involved in a motorcycle crash. The following things should be on your checklist:

1. Take Photos Of The Accident Scene

It’s a good thing that nowadays our phones have cameras so make sure you take photos of the accident scene, damages and anything else you think could help build your case.

2. Witnesses

Only you and the people who saw the accident happen know who is at fault and should be held liable for your injuries. It is important that you contact most, if not all, witnesses that were present at the accident scene and saw what happened. You might need them to testify on your behalf in court. A neutral witness such as an accident reconstruction specialist can help shut down a testimony if the other party is lying.

3. Report Your Injuries

You should report your injuries as soon as possible. It’s very common for riders to walk away from car accidents feeling unscathed but wake up a few days later in pain. You should therefore go to a doctor immediately after your accident for them to diagnose any issues resulting from the crash and recommend treatment.

4. Find A Reliable Personal Injury Lawyer To Help You Make Your Claim

You should find a lawyer who has experience dealing with and handling claims for motorcycle injuries.

Reasons Why Motorcycles Are More Dangerous Than Cars

Motorcycles, even popular models like Harley Davidson, are riskier to ride than riding in a car. When compared to car accidents, motorcycle accidents are many more times likely to result in fatal injuries and even death. Motorcycle riders are more exposed than people riding in cars are and this is not the only risk that they face. Other risks include:

  1. Since they are smaller and easily obscured by other objects on the road, motorcycles are often less visible to cars.
  2. Little things such as potholes, uneven road, debris and other things can cause a motorcycle crash.
  3. Motorcycles offer less stability so during braking, swerving or speeding, riders may wobble and case an accident.
  4. High risk behavior tends to increase the chances of getting into motorcycle accidents. For instance, a powerful motorcycle like the Harley Davidson 2014 V-Rod, can encourage fast accelerating, speeding and other risky behavior.
  5. Unskilled riders contribute to the large number of motorcycle accidents. Keep in mind that driving a car requires less skill than riding a motorcycle.

These recent traffic statistics will show you exactly how motorcycle accidents compare to car accidents when it comes to road safety.


Motorcycle Accident Infographic

Infographic authored by Sutliff & Stout.

The good news is that you can take the necessary precautions and reduce the risk of being in an accident by not sharing lanes with cars, maintaining the bike, avoiding and being aware of road hazards and getting professional training on how to ride your bike. You can also reduce the risk of injury by wearing a helmet and protective clothing.

Getting Help

Your motorcycle accident injury lawyer will help you obtain the highest regulated amount that you are entitled to when you file an injury claim for a motorcycle accident. When you call us, you can be assured that you have someone on your side that is looking out for your best interest. We will help you preserve crucial evidence that you need to make your case and get your claim.

Call us today at (0800)200-7752 or fill out our contact form.