You are much more exposed on a motorcycle than you are while driving in a car so if you get into an accident, your injuries are likely to be more severe. For this reason, it is very important that you take the necessary measures needed to protect your motorcycle accident settlement in New Bedford, MA.

You can receive a settlement if you file a personal injury claim after a motorcycle accident either as a passenger or as a rider. You can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident. However, whether you file a personal injury claim or a lawsuit, chances are very high that your case might be resolved by an out of court settlement. You are entitled to a certain amount of damages so the person responsible for your accident will be ordered to compensate you through their insurance carrier.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Motorcycle Accident Settlement

Protecting Your Settlement

You need to take a few steps following your motorcycle accident in order to protect your settlement. So here’s what you should do:

  1. Collect Evidence

You need to collect as much evidence as you can at the accident scene. Take as many photos as possible at different angles. If you can’t take pictures ask someone to do it for you. Photographic evidence is very important because it shows the extent of the damage caused, the condition of the road, the location of the accident and the weather.

You can also get the names and contact information of any witnesses present. Witnesses are very crucial in your case because they will describe what happened or the events that led to your accident. You should also get a copy of any police report that is generated.

You should, however, know that police reports are inadmissible if your case ever goes to court but that does not mean that it’s not useful. You can request for the police report from the police department the key thing is to note which enforcement agency came to the scene. You can also request for your report online.

The police report can be used to provide important facts such as the names of the witnesses in your accident, the weather, date of the accident, etc.

Even though they are admissible in court, you can still use police records for your motorcycle accident settlement negotiations. If the police report clearly shows that the other driver was at fault, you can use it as leverage to obtain a good settlement.

The reason why you can’t use a police report in court in most situations is because it’s considered as hearsay. It’s considered hearsay because the police did not personally witness the accident so they are relying on witnesses to give them information about your accident. Also, one of the major reasons why it can’t be used in court is because it can’t be used for cross examination in court.

  1. Get Medical Treatment

Get medical treatment as soon as possible even if you feel that your injuries are not that serious. We’ve seen cases of people complaining about feeling severe pain two days after a “minor” accident. Just because your injuries are not immediately evident, does not mean that they are not there. You might have suffered internal injuries, which take a while before they are noticeable.

If you do not seek medical treatment immediately, the insurance carrier will argue that your injuries are not as serious as you make them out to be or that you are faking your injuries. Otherwise, if you were seriously injured, you would have gone to the hospital immediately. Besides, going to the hospital will help you document your injuries much more accurately. The doctor will detail the extent of your injuries and how much your medical treatment will cost.

  1. Speak with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in New Bedford

You may not need to talk to a Motorcycle accident lawyer in New Bedford if your injuries aren’t that serious. However, if your injuries are severe, it’s a good idea to discuss your case with your lawyer especially if you are thinking about getting a motorcycle accident settlement. Having an experienced lawyer by your side could be the difference between a satisfactory outcome and a lowball settlement.

If you have been a victim of a motorcycle accident, contact one of our lawyers at Kevin P Landry Law Offices today by dialing 508-999-0800 for a free initial consultation or visit our offices in New Bedford.