How to File an Insurance Claim After a Motorcycle Accident
In a recent year, there were over 6,200 motorcyclist fatalities in the United States. Many motorcyclists assume that they will be compensated for the full cost of their medical expenses, lost wages, and bike repairs, but oftentimes, this could not be further from the truth. Recovering damages in a motorcycle accident requires that you take the right steps to protect your rights, as explained by the Nashville motorcycle accident lawyers at Raybin & Weissman.
Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
If you are experiencing shortness of breath, uncontrollable bleeding, or chest pain, you should seek medical attention immediately. If you have only sustained minor injuries, such as cuts, bruises, or sprains, you should visit an urgent care facility or even schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. Generally, you should be evaluated by a physician or other medical provider within three days of your motorcycle accident. Failing to receive medical treatment or any noticeable gaps in your treatment may result in the insurance company stating that your injuries are due to another incident and denying your claim.
Report Your Accident to the Police
Tennessee law requires that motorists report an accident to law enforcement if there are any injuries or deaths or if property damage exceeds $50. Additionally, you must file a written accident report if there is more than $1,500 in property or vehicle damage.
Gather Evidence and Get Witness Statements
If you are physically able, take any photographs of your injuries, damage to your bike, and a wider shot capturing the final resting position of your bike and other vehicles involved in the crash. Location shots are important, so it is important to snap photos of any nearby intersections or landmarks.
If there were any bystanders who witnessed the crash, ask for their names and phone numbers and if they are willing to provide a brief statement. Additionally, see if they got any video footage of the collision. Even if there are no eyewitnesses who took a video of the incident, take note of any businesses that have an unobstructed view of the accident scene.
Report Your Accident to Insurance
As soon as possible, notify your insurance company that you have been in an accident. If you are asked to provide details or a statement, refrain from doing anything before you have spoken with a Nashville motorcycle accident lawyer.
Contact a Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Contacting an attorney immediately after a crash is key to preserving your rights. While we think of having insurance as a security blanket, covering our costs in times of trouble, this is rarely the case. The reality is that insurance adjusters are only interested in padding their bottom line. While an adjuster may seem friendly on the phone, they will use any tactic necessary to avoid paying your claim.
Thankfully, at Raybin & Weissman, our legal team has years of experience dealing with claims adjusters, allowing us to know what to say (and not say) to protect your interests. Any response you give must be straightforward since the insurance company will take various approaches to get you to admit some degree of fault. When you work with our motorcycle accident attorneys, we handle insurance communications completely, permitting you to focus on healing.
Injured? Speak with Our Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
The reasons for a motorcycle crash can vary, from a driver not seeing you due to a blind spot issue, distraction, or inclement weather. No matter the reason, a motorcycle crash can cause severe and long-term injuries, forcing you to miss out on the things you love. While there is no reverse button to undo a motorcycle wreck, physical and emotional recovery cannot be rushed, often taking several months.
Recovery involves accessing the financial resources you need to recoup lost income for surgeries, treatments, rehabilitation, and home modifications. Our Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys will help establish the at-fault party’s liability while calculating your total damages to obtain fair compensation to cover these costs. We know what your case is truly worth, and we will not accept anything less from the insurance company. To get started, contact us online or give us a call at (615) 256-6666 today to schedule your free consultation.