As a personal injury attorney in Memphis for over 30 years, I know a motorcycle accident can be an overwhelming event. In addition to physical injuries, you might be angry, upset, and have trouble thinking clearly about the steps you need to take after the accident. But with motorcyclists involved in far more injury accidents than passenger car drivers, and warmer weather beckoning motorcycle enthusiasts back out onto the road, it’s more important than ever to know what to do if you are in an accident.
Motorcycle Accidents are time-sensitive issues.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle collision, the actions you need to take are time-sensitive, especially if you intend to file a lawsuit. Proving fault and cause of damage in these kinds of accidents can be challenging. If you were fortunate enough to walk away from a bike crash, and intend to file a claim, you need to do as many of the following things as you can immediately after your accident.
4 steps to take after being injured in a motorcycle accident:
- Contact Your Insurance Company
Before seeking compensation for your injuries, make sure you contact your insurance company about the accident. The insurer will earmark the treatments you receive for your injuries so they can receive compensation for your coverage. Unfortunately you risk premium payment increases if you fail to notify your insurer.
- Understand the Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is the maximum amount of time after an event in which legal proceedings may be initiated. Tennessee’s statute of limitations has one of the shortest windows for filing in the country. It gives injured victims just one year from the date of the accident or injury to file a complaint.
However, some jurisdictions extend the time for filing in special circumstances. For example, the time clock does not start for minors until they turn 18. Which means a 15-year-old will have one year from the date of his or her 18th birthday to file a claim. Unfortunately, there are other situations where you have considerably less time. If your accident involves a government entity, for example, you may only have a matter of months to file.
- Hire an Attorney
Injured bikers sometimes wonder: do I really need a lawyer? The short answer is yes, you do. Motorcycle accidents are complex collisions, especially regarding attribution fault. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will know the intricacies in motorcycle law as well as have access to resources you don’t. A good lawyer is vital when trying to seek compensation for your injuries.
- Don’t wait
Many victims believe they need to wait until after recovery to file a claim, and that is not the case. Remember: time is of the essence after a motorcycle collision. You want the scene of the accident surveyed and any witnesses interviewed as soon after the accident as possible. The more reliable the information gathered, the more likely your case will lead to larger judgements or settlements.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, speak to a Memphis attorney today for FREE.
Motorcycle accidents differ from car crashes, and the level of injury is often greater. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in the Memphis area, contact us online or call (901) 327-2100 for a FREE consultation – no strings attached.
Regardless of whether you choose to file a claim or not, seeking information and legal support early on is crucial. We are here to answer all of your questions and walk you through all the steps of the process. Then, if you do decide to file, one of our experienced attorneys will investigate your accident for you. While you focus on recovery, we can handle everything else: like negotiating with insurance companies and defense lawyers on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve.
Give us a call today to hear how we can help.