How You Can Increase Your Motorcycle Accident Settlement

One of the challenges of filing a lawsuit for a motorcycle accident is that you will most likely ride alone. Therefore, if there is an accident, you will be responsible for providing all of the evidence necessary to prove that the other motorist was negligent. Since you have a duty of care, if you were responsible for the accident, you may receive no compensation for your injuries. To make sure this doesn't happen, you must gather adequate evidence.

Keep Your Helmet

Since you are usually required by law to wear a helmet, keep your helmet with you and do not alter it. Your helmet can be used as evidence that you did not contribute to your injuries by clearly having worn it. There might be blood, damage or markings that are consistent with the injuries you experienced. But even if you weren't wearing a helmet, you will still likely be able to recover some damages. You will be considered partially liable for your head injury.

Get Treatment

While you are waiting for medical assistance, you should photograph the area around you. Photograph the bike and paint that transferred to the bike as a result of the collision. Have a medical professional conduct all of the necessary medical tests to determine whether you have a head injury and the extent of your head injury. Your doctor should be able to prove that the injury you suffered was consistent with a motorcycle accident. Also, if you fail to obtain necessary medical treatment, you may have your claim or your settlement denied if this contributes to your medical expenses.

File A Police Report

File a police report as soon as possible. Not only is this required, but the police report will be used as evidence in court. The police officer will interview witnesses and will also include a notation explaining the driving conditions.

Return To The Scene Of The Accident

Return to the scene of the accident to look for evidence. There may have been a witness, such as a nearby resident, who may have seen the accident. Especially helpful is surveillance footage. Quite a few gas stations have surveillance cameras and one may have captured your accident.

Be Careful Whom You Discuss Your Case With

Make sure that you do not discuss your case online or through social media. Comments that you use can be used to dismiss your case if they are not consistent with your sworn testimony. Instead, you should only discuss your case with a motorcycle accident attorney.

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