The hours and days after a traffic accident can seem like a blur, but in order to make the best decisions for your health and your potential future compensation, you need to act in a certain way after an accident. And while each motorcycle accident is unique, there are some common things that accident victims do that limits their ability to seek compensation after a crash. Below, we share five mistakes you’ll want to avoid after a motorcycle accident if you want to maximize your injury compensation award.
Avoid These Mistakes After A Motorcycle Accident
Here’s a look at five things you’ll want to avoid following a motorcycle accident:
1. You Admitted Fault – Even if you think you were partially or fully at fault for the accident, do not admit fault to the other parties. Minnesota is a no-fault state when it comes to automobile accidents, but admitting fault can still play a role in liability and damages. You can check on the other parties and make sure they are fine, but do not go around apologizing or taking fault for the accident, because it can expose you to additional suits or limit your ability to collect damages.
2. You Waited – Time is of the essence following a motorcycle accident, so don’t wait in any aspect of the case. Do not wait to seek medical attention, even if injuries aren’t all that bad at the moment. Do not wait to contact witness information or to write down your experience from memory. And certainly don’t wait days or weeks to reach out to a motorcycle injury lawyer, as off of these postponements can serve to hurt your case.
3. Talking With The Insurance Company – It’s very important to remember whose side an insurance adjuster is on. If they try to contact you, they aren’t just “looking for a little information” or “hoping you can answer a few questions about the accident,” they are looking for one thing and one thing only – to limit their liability. Every conversation with the insurance company should be handled by your personal injury attorney so you don’t say something that will work against your case.
4. You Assumed You’d Remember – Another way that people mishandle their injury case is by failing to document anything and everything in regards to your case. We always tell clients to write down their recollection of the accident so they have a hard copy version they can reference if needed. Even if you didn’t suffer a head injury, there’s no guarantee you’ll remember all the small details from the accident. But don’t just document your recollection of events, write down names, dates, witness contact information, who you talked with and any relevant information to your case so something doesn’t fall through the cracks.
5. Didn’t Hire A Lawyer – One final way that people screw up their injury claim is that they try to do it on their own. You might think that you’re saving money by not hiring a lawyer, but oftentimes a lawyer pays for themselves many times over by getting you a much bigger award. We can also help ensure any settlement offer is fair. We understand that you just want to move on and put the case behind you, but if you let us handle the case, you’ll be able to focus on your recovery while we focus on maximizing your award. One of the most common regrets people have about their injury case is that they didn’t hire a lawyer sooner, so let us help you right away following a motorcycle accident. Contact the experienced legal team at Margolis Law Firm today.
- How Is Wage Loss Calculated For Self-Employed Workers In Minnesota? - September 6, 2024
- What You Need To Prove To Win Your Minnesota Injury Case - August 27, 2024
- What To Expect After Sending A Demand Letter In Minnesota - August 22, 2024