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What Steps Should I Take After a Florida Motorcycle Accident?
No one expects to end up in a motorcycle accident, and it can be hard to decide what to do while you’re shocked and disoriented. Should you wait for the police? Contact your insurance company? Call a Florida motorcycle accident attorney?
What you do in the first minutes and hours after a motorcycle collision where you have been injured by another will play a crucial role in the outcome. Take the following five steps to keep safe and protect your rights.
1. Move to Safety
Your health and safety are always paramount after an accident. If you can, move away from oncoming traffic and help others do so as well, if necessary. Call 911 or ask someone to do that for you. If you need emergency medical help, go to the hospital and let everything else wait.
2. Wait for the Police
Assuming you aren’t in immediate danger, it’s preferable to wait for the police at the accident scene. The reporting officer will document the collision’s time, date, place, and possible causes. If you’re present, you can give your input and clarify important details.
If you must leave the accident scene, you have up to 10 days to report a motor vehicle collision. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Florida can use this police report as evidence for your claim.
3. Gather Evidence and Information
Exchange contact information and insurance details with the other motorist. Note their license plate number. Stay polite, avoid confrontation, and don’t say anything that may sound like admitting fault.
If anyone else saw the accident, note their names and contact details. Take photos and videos of the accident scene from multiple angles while it’s intact. Save all this evidence to share with your Florida motorcycle accident attorney.
4. See a Doctor
Seek medical attention even if you feel fine or believe you only suffered minor injuries. You should see a doctor after any motorcycle accident for two reasons. Some significant injuries manifest days or weeks after the accident.
Internal injuries may be hard to detect, and you’ll need a thorough check-up for a full picture of your medical condition. Your medical records will be crucial for establishing your claim. A Florida motorcycle accident injury lawyer will review your medical bills, hospitalization records, and prognosis statements while drafting a demand letter.
5. Call Your Insurance Company and Consult a Lawyer
Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state, so after a motorcycle accident, you’ll first turn to your PIP insurance provider for compensation. You’ll typically need to call your insurer within 24-72 hours to preserve your coverage.
However, you should be careful when talking to insurance adjusters. Insurance companies look out for their interest, not yours, so if you suffered a serious accident, you have the option of delegating communication with your insurer to a Florida attorney who specializes in motorcycle accidents.
Don’t agree to give a recorded statement, since insurance adjusters may trick you into saying something that could hurt your claim. At times you may want to provide a non recorded statement to help the insurance company with liability, but never a recorded statement that can only be used against you. Avoid accepting any rushed settlement offer, even if your insurance company assures you it’s as much as you can expect. Instead, consult a Florida motorcycle accident lawsuit attorney to help you understand your claim’s worth.
Call Leaser Law Firm for a Free Consultation with a Motorcycle Wreck Lawyer Serving Florida
When a motorbike crash takes you by surprise, call Leaser Law Firm. Attorney Scott Leaser and the rest of our hardworking legal team provide efficient, reliable legal representation for motorcycle collisions in Florida. We’re here for all the steps of your claim, from sourcing evidence and calculating your damages to dealing with insurance companies. Call 954-233-3515 or fill out our online form for a free consultation with a Florida motorcycle accident attorney.