Lawyers’ Advice on What Not to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
There are several things a lawyer would advise you not to do after a motorcycle accident. The two most important things to remember are you should not admit fault for the accident, nor should you delay receiving medical care for your injuries. These two things can protect your right to fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in Florida can offer additional advice on what not to do after an accident. They can also assist you in building a personal injury claim to recover compensation for any pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages because of the accident.
Do Not Say the Motorcycle Accident Was Your Fault
After any motorcycle crash, your first response should be to call 911. When law enforcement arrives and asks questions for the accident report, limit your post-accident statements to simple facts. Don’t give your opinion on what happened. Don’t make accusations or inflammatory comments. Try to remain calm. And do not say the accident was your fault. Don’t even apologize to the other driver. Make sure everyone is okay, exchange information, and don’t say anything more.
Part of the reason motorcycle accident attorneys in Florida give this advice is that you may not know everything that happened. Your recollection is limited to what you witnessed and remember. After a traumatic event like a motorcycle accident, you may not recall everything. Witnesses may have seen other factors that contributed to your accident. Video footage could provide clues you were unaware of.
The other reason we give this advice is your statements could be used against you. The insurance adjusters assigned to investigate the accident could use your statements to place a greater degree of blame on you, which could affect the settlement amount you could claim. Under Florida Statutes § 768.81, if you are greater than 50% responsible for your own accident, you may not collect compensation.
Do Not Delay Seeing a Doctor After Your Motorcycle Accident
The next thing you should do after any motorcycle accident is to see a doctor immediately. Do not assume your health is fine. You may have internal injuries that do not present right away. Go to the hospital and have a medical professional check you out. If you delay, you could be risking your life to a hidden internal injury.
A motorcycle accident injury lawyer in Florida would also tell you that seeing a doctor protects your health and strengthens your case for financial compensation. If you delay seeing a doctor after your motorcycle accident, it causes the insurance companies to doubt the connection between your injuries and the accident. They could claim that your injuries were pre-existing, not as serious as you claimed, or were caused by some other event. It could give them an excuse to deny your motorcycle accident claim.
Other Things Your Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Florida Will Advise You Not to Do
A personal injury attorney would also advise you not to do any of the following:
Do Not Neglect Evidence Collection
If your injuries permit, you could help strengthen your claim for compensation by taking photographs of the following:
- The accident scene
- Your injuries
- Your motorcycle
- The other driver’s car
You and your motorcycle personal injury lawyer serving Florida can use this evidence to prove the severity of your injuries.
Do Not Talk About Your Accident on Social Media
Just like your statements at the accident scene, your posts could be used against you. Innocent comments, pictures of you smiling, anything you post could be taken out of context to place greater blame on you or undermine the severity of your injuries.
Do Not Sign Anything Before Reviewing It With an Attorney
Insurance companies will try to protect themselves and reduce their payouts, so be wary of any documents they ask you to sign. They may ask you to sign something that limits your ability to collect full compensation.
Give a Recorded Statement Without an Attorney
As before, your statements can be used against you. Talk to an attorney first before giving any written or recorded statements to your insurance company. They could prevent you from saying something that undermines your claim.
Do Not Accept the Insurance Company’s First Settlement Offer
The initial settlement offer is often the minimum amount the insurance company is willing to pay. Without knowing all your losses, you could risk leaving much-needed money behind. Your attorney will be able to determine the value of all your current losses and future expenses.
How a Motorcycle Attorney Near You in Florida Can Help
An attorney can be a great asset for a motorcycle accident victim after an accident. Most offer free case reviews. They can then investigate your accident, build your claim, and negotiate a fair settlement agreement with the insurance companies. If they cannot reach an agreement, they can represent your interests in a trial.
They can take all the work and stress of the legal process off your shoulders so that you can get the medical attention you need to recover from your injuries in peace. Keep in mind, though, that Florida Statutes § 95.11 limits your time to take legal action to two years.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato for Advice After Your Motorcycle Accident
The last piece of legal advice is not to hesitate. Call (954) 633-8270 or reach us online for a free case review. We work on contingency, so there is no financial risk. You only pay our fees if we win a settlement or court award. Let our legal team help you recover from your motorcycle accident.
