After a serious crash caused by a careless driver on Highway 101, you should consider discussing your case with a California motorcycle accident attorney. You should know what your injuries are worth before an insurance adjuster tells you they are worth nothing at all.
Car insurance providers for an at-fault driver do just about anything to avoid having to accept financial responsibility. They’ll try to blame you for the accident or try to imply that your injuries aren’t all that serious. These tactics are meant to leave you with as little in compensation as possible, or nothing at all. Having an attorney on your side means you are protected from these tactics.
That protection is one reason why a skilled attorney can often get you much more in compensation than you may be able to secure by handling your case yourself.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Highway 101 Motorcycle Accident
Highway 101 is a favorite route for motorcyclists. Unfortunately, even along beautiful stretches of road, riders must beware of reckless drivers. A speeding driver or a distracted driver can make a mistake that sends a motorcyclist to the roadway to suffer a serious injury.
If you are sent into a collision, there are steps to take for your safety and to make sure the proof is there to show that a driver’s mistake caused your crash.
If you are forced into an accident along a busy route like Highway 101, see to your safety first. If you are left in the path of traffic, try to get out of the lanes. Then, check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries.
Call 911 and request an ambulance if anyone is hurt.
Once the scene is secure, if you left strong enough, consider gathering all the evidence you can. Some of that powerful evidence will disappear as soon as the accident scene is cleared.
Try to collect these details if possible:
- Tell the responding California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer everything you can remember about how your accident unfolded.
- Pull out your cell phone and take pictures. Show the damage to your motorcycle, clothing, and helmet. Take pictures of any visible injuries, including road rash, and damage to your clothing.
- Get contact information from witnesses. Your California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer will be reaching out to them for testimony.
- Exchange information with the driver involved if the CHP officer doesn’t provide it to you.
- Afterward, don’t dispose of your damaged clothing and shoes. It will all serve as powerful visual evidence of what you were put through.
- Alert your motorcycle accident insurance company about what happened.
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor. Get all injuries documented. Pay special attention to any pain that arises after the shock of your incident wears off. You may have injuries you weren’t aware of immediately after the crash. Do everything your doctor recommends. Save all medical invoices.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me Get More for My Highway 101 Motorcycle Accident Claim?
If your injury involves only some minor scrapes and bruising, you may not need the help of a lawyer for your case.
However, if your crash was caused by a reckless driver, and you receive a serious injury, like a bone fracture or a traumatic brain injury, a motorcycle accident lawyer may be an important safeguard.
Here are a few of the protections your lawyer will provide:
- Fully investigate your accident and the driver involved
- Has evidence ready when a car insurance company tries to pin the blame for the accident on you
- Has medical evidence ready if an insurance adjuster tries to downplay how serious your injury is or claims you injured yourself in a previous accident
- Negotiates to get you the maximum amount in compensation and secures the benefits insurance adjusters won’t always mention are available
- Has your case prepared for a lawsuit in case an insurer refuses to accept blame and provide you with a sufficient motorcycle accident settlement check.
- Handles the frustrating claims process while you are allowed to focus on healing so you can get back on your motorcycle as soon as possible
Contact a California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Contact Maison Law to talk with a real lawyer about your options in a free consultation. You’ll learn what your injury is worth and how to secure the compensation you need for a full recovery. There’s no obligation, but if you feel we can earn you much more for your claim, you’ll need no upfront money to hire Maison Law. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement an insurer must pay you.
