Cleveland News

Summer’s coming, and that means that millions of Americans in colder climates will rediscover the joys of the outdoors after months of snow and layer after layer of clothing. For many, warmer temperatures and vibrant roadside greenery mean leisurely weekend rides or pleasant weekday commutes on their motorcycle.

As nice as it can be to feel the wind on your face, motorcycles carry the inherent risk of a high-speed collision without the protective features of an automobile. This can lead not only to injury, but to expensive property damage, namely the motorcycle itself.

It’s a fact of American life that, when there are high-dollar losses, you need to reach out to an attorney. Whether you ultimately decide you need a lawyer or not, here’s a checklist of things you can do in the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident to ensure that you have the strongest claim, whether to an insurance company or in a courtroom.

First, check yourself and anyone else involved in the crash for injuries. Whether it’s other riders or drivers, before you do anything else, ensure that emergency services aren’t needed. If they are, call 911 right away to request an ambulance. Otherwise, call 911 and ask for police to respond to the scene so you can make a report.

Get people and property clear of the roadway. If possible, photograph the scene and any damage to your property. Note the time of day, weather, road conditions, speed limit, and other relevant details. Your smartphone is a great tool for capturing notes like this, or even voice memos that describe the scene.

 Get contact information for others involved in the wreck, as well as things like license plate numbers, makes and models of vehicles, and insurance information. It’s normal to assume that the police will collect all of this for their report, but it’s all too common for police reports to miss key elements, or include incorrect information through human error.  This may leave you high and dry if you need to track down a crucial witness or another party from the accident.

 Speaking of the police, you’ll make things a lot easier on yourself if you make sure to write down the name and badge number of the police officer, and depending on how far from home you are, the police department they work for. You can also ask for a business card from the responding officer and the police report number.

 One key thing to keep in mind in the immediate aftermath of an accident of any kind is that you should not apologize for a wreck, or admit fault. This is true when you contact your insurance company later, as well. Be very cautious in how you talk about the crash to your insurer, because the agent you speak to will specifically be looking for reasons to deny any claims you make related to it.

 If you’re not sure how to talk to the insurance company, or if the insurance company is giving you the run-around after a motorcycle crash, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney right away. If you’ve followed the steps above, you’ll have good documentary evidence describing the events of the day.  And the professional local attorney you retain will have a lot to go on in getting you the best payout outcome.

Louis Gertler is a Partner with the Gertler Law Firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. The law firm represents plaintiffs in personal injury matters and focuses on succession planning as well. The information above is not legal advice and we urge you to consult with a local attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.

Gertler Law Firm
935 Gravier Street,
Suite 1900
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 581-6411
www.neworleanspersonalinjury.com