After being involved in a serious motorcycle accident, you may be terrified, traumatized, and unsure of what to do next. Fortunately, when you have an experienced South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm on your side, you do not need to worry.
Your legal representative can handle every detail associated with your case, from investigating and calculating the value of your claim to dealing with the insurance company. However, there are some steps you can take in the aftermath of your collision that could help you build a powerful case against those responsible.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Immediately after your motorcycle wreck, there are specific steps you can take to protect yourself and begin building a claim against the liable party that is sure to win. The steps include the following:
1. Call for Help
The very first thing you need to do after being involved in a motorcycle accident is called the police. You should also be sure to ask that emergency responders arrive at the scene of your accident. This way, you can file a police report and obtain a medical evaluation.
The liable party may attempt to get you to avoid calling the police. This may be because they are driving without a license, lack sufficient insurance coverage, or for any other reason. However, it is almost always in your best interests to get the police at the scene of the accident.
When police file a crash report, they will include a significant amount of information that could lead to or be used as evidence against the liable party. Since the burden of proof in civil claims is based on a preponderance of the evidence, making sure you have access to the evidence you need is crucial.
2. Collect Evidence
Regarding evidence, while you wait for police and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to respond to your accident. You must do everything possible to collect as much evidence as you can. Some of the most powerful types of evidence that could be available include:
- Photos of your injuries
- A detailed account of how the accident occurred
- Video footage of the collision from your dashcam
- Photos of the traffic conditions at the time of the crash
- Photos of surrounding property damages
- Personal journal entries regarding how the accident occurred
- The names and contact details of witnesses and other involved parties
- A description of the color, make, and model of the vehicles involved
If your motorcycle accident injuries are catastrophic and you are unable to collect evidence at the scene, do not worry. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct an in-depth investigation into your accident which will uncover valuable evidence and information we can use to prove negligence and liability for your damages.
3. Get Medical Attention
As soon as emergency responders arrive at the accident scene, get the medical attention you need. Although you may initially feel fine or believe your injuries are minor, the truth is without a medical diagnosis, you may be dealing with untreated invisible injuries. These could result in catastrophic injuries and damages if you do not receive the necessary treatment.
Furthermore, without getting medical help right away, you can expect the liable party to argue your injuries were caused in another way or that you are exaggerating the extent to which your injuries have affected your life. By getting medical help right away, you can begin documenting the severity of your injuries, which will go a long way to prove you are entitled to the compensation you seek in your insurance and civil claims.
4. Consult a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The sooner you get a motorcycle accident attorney working on your case, the better. Although there is no legal requirement that you have a lawyer on your side, the benefits of a powerful legal advocate are undeniable.
While you focus on healing from your injuries, your lawyer can work on investigating, calculating the value of your claim, negotiating with the insurance company, and preparing your case for trial. This way, you do not need to be burdened by the overwhelming and intimidating feelings associated with motorcycle accident cases. Instead, you can start to move forward and rebuild your life now while simultaneously demanding justice.
5. File a Claim with the Insurance Company
After you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer, you can prepare to file a claim with the insurance company. South Carolina generally follows a fault insurance system. The liable party’s insurance coverage should apply. However, it may not be enough to fully cover your needs. This is because bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage are designed to only cover vehicle repairs and medical bills.
Other types of damages may not be available through the insurance company. Further, your insurance settlement could be limited by how much coverage the policyholder purchased. If they did not purchase enough coverage to compensate you for every loss, you may need to explore alternative options for financial recovery.
6. Prepare to Go to Trial
Sometimes insurance settlements are not enough. There are also instances where motorcyclists suffer injuries caused by uninsured drivers. If this sounds like what you are going through, you should be prepared to move forward with a civil lawsuit against the liable party.
Here, you will not face the same limitations as you would by filing an insurance claim. Instead, you will have the opportunity to recover your damages in full without the same restrictions that follow insurance claims. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will prepare every legal detail of your case and be ready to advocate for your right to total financial compensation in court.
Connect with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in South Carolina Today
In the immediate aftermath of your motorcycle accident, your initial sense could have a substantial impact on your ability to identify the liable party, maximize the compensation you recover, and prove liability and negligence. You do not need to handle the complex legal matters of your case when you have an experienced South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney advocating for your rights.
Our legal team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm can guide you through the claims process every step of the way so you can focus on recuperating. Schedule your free consultation as soon as today when you fill out our online contact form or call our office to get started.
