Motorcycle Accident Investigations: How Lawyers Collect Evidence for Strong Cases
Investigating a collision between a vehicle driver and your motorcycle is a complex legal matter. If a motorcycle accident lawyer represents you, they can handle the investigation, including proving and documenting the at-fault driver’s negligence. A lawyer can also prove the elements of negligence and the specific negligent action the at-fault driver committed.
Motorcycle accident investigations take time, focus, and attention to detail. A local law firm can explain how attorneys gather evidence to build strong cases. They also explain the importance of building your case with compelling evidence. They also explain the steps they take to help you get compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
The Value of Gathering Evidence in a Motorcycle Accident Investigation
To recover compensation after an accident, it must have been caused by negligence, so your evidence collection will prove its elements, including:
- Duty of care: The driver’s responsibility to share the road safely
- Breach of duty: The driver’s failure to meet their obligation
- Causation: Proof the collision was caused by the driver’s action
- Damages: The subsequent costs of your injuries and related costs
In addition to proving negligence, your evidence collection will help your driver settle your case without going to court. That typically happens when it clearly outlines the at-fault driver’s negligence.
Evidence Gathering in Motorcycle Accidents Starts With Your Police Report
Insurance companies like to see objective evidence when determining their policyholder’s negligence. When your attorney gathers evidence, it typically starts with your police report, which provides objective data, including:
- The accident’s date, time, and location
- It’s causes and contributing factors
- Points of impact on both vehicles
- Contact details for accident witnesses
- First responder notes and diagrams
- Police-generated photos and videos
Your attorney will order your police report and all other supporting evidence, so you can focus your time and energy on feeling better.
A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Investigation Tools Include Photos and Videos
When police arrive at an accident scene, they may take pictures and videos to support their observations and provide evidence for forensic investigation. Pictures can also come from residential and commercial video, traffic cameras, and bystander smartphones.
Your lawyer’s investigation will include photos of:
- The accident scene and surrounding area
- Both vehicles from a variety of angles
- Your injuries and their severity
As needed, the investigation may include accident scene reconstruction. The report it generates can include photos and video that tell the accident’s story.
Strong Case Building for Motorcycle Accidents Includes Expert Consultations
Your Motorcycle accident law firm Fort Lauderdale will consult various experts to help build your case. Depending on what happens and on you, your family, and your financial circumstances, expert consultations may include:
- Medical experts and specialists
- Economists and financial planners
- Motorcycle retailers and manufacturers
- Collision and forensic experts
- Rehab and therapy specialists
Your legal team will consult the necessary experts and work with them to prepare verbal and written statements and testimonies that support your right to financial recovery.
Recoverable Damages After an Effective Motorcycle Accident Investigation
Florida Statutes § 768.81 describes the types of damages you can recover from an accident. Economic (tangible) damages you can recover include:
- Lost income and loss of earning potential
- Motorcycle damage or destruction
- Medical bills throughout your recovery
- Disabling and disfiguring injuries
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
Part of investigating your accident and recovering damages is filing your lawsuit on time. In general, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a). The wrongful death statute of limitations is also generally two years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d).
Your Fort Myers motorcycle accident attorney will investigate any factors that might change the filing deadline and help you file your lawsuit on time.
Gathering Motorcycle Accident Evidence Helps Your Attorney Reach a Settlement
Most personal injury and wrongful death cases after a Miami motorcycle accident attorney are settled out of court. To guide your case toward a settlement, your motorcycle accident lawyer in Boynton Beach will submit your compensation request and review and reply to any responses.
The law firm handling your case will assess the pros and cons of the offers that are sent on your behalf and explain their feasibility. They will also send counteroffers until an acceptable agreement can be reached. If one is not forthcoming, you can take your case to court for a final resolution.
Call (954) 633-8270 for Help Investigating Your Motorcycle Accident
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, or someone you love was fatally injured, our law firm will represent you against the at-fault driver and their insurance company.
We will take on motorcycle accident investigations and clarify how attorneys gather evidence to build strong cases and how hard we will go to bat for you. Get started on your compensation request by contacting our consultation team at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today.
