There are many things that happen after you have been in a motorcycle accident. One of the most important steps you need to take is documenting evidence so that it is preserved for your insurance claim.
Unfortunately, Washington motorcycle accidents are not uncommon, with one in five motorcycle crashes resulting in fatal injuries. Because of how motorcycles are constructed, there is an increased risk of both minor and severe physical injuries.
Facing the aftermath of an auto accident on your own can feel very overwhelming if you don’t know what to do next. At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, we are committed to defending the downtrodden and helping victims get the compensation they deserve. So, keep reading to find out what documentation you need and how to preserve it for your claim.
Why is Evidence Important for Motorcycle Accidents?
After a motorcycle accident, one of the most important steps is determining who is at fault. This is because the most at fault will be held responsible for compensation.
The primary way to determine fault is with evidence regarding the accident. Evidence can help with a distracted driving accident or if the person was speeding, which resulted in the collision.
Evidence will also help support your insurance claim and get you the compensation you deserve. It can help to show the extent of the damage to your personal property or bodily harm.
How to Document Evidence to Support Your Claim
Getting into an auto accident in Oregon or Washington can feel very overwhelming at the moment. There are many steps you need to take after the accident, and documenting evidence is essential, especially if it is time-sensitive.
There are certain types of documentation you want to focus on to build the strongest claim. This is just one reason why you should hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who could help you collect and safeguard important evidence.
Contact the Police
A crucial step after an accident is to immediately contact the police and have them come to the crash scene. You are required to report an auto accident, and the police will help you with this by filing their own report on the scene.
The police will document most of the evidence you need for your claim, which you or your attorney can later access. This does not mean you shouldn’t document your own evidence, but it does serve as a useful backup in case anything is lost.
Photograph the Scene
If you are not seriously injured, you will want to photograph the accident scene while everything is untouched. For instance, you can photograph tire marks and things like stop signs or red lights to document who was at fault.
You also need to photograph your motorcycle and any other kinds of property damage at the crash scene. You can do this with your phone so that the photographs are safely stored and easy to share with your attorney.
Photograph Injuries
Aside from photographing the scene of the accident, you also want to photograph any physical injuries. Injuries like cuts, bruises, and gashes are all important for documenting bodily damages for your claim. X-rays and scans also serve this purpose if you have more extensive injuries.
Get Medical Documentation
Even if you are not seriously injured, it is always a good idea to get medical attention after an accident. Many injuries may not be physically noticeable but still require immediate treatment.
This is also important for documentation since medical documentation can help with your claim. The hospital will document your injuries, which your attorney can later use to negotiate a fair compensation amount.
It is also a good idea to continue to get follow-up medical attention if you sustained injuries after the accident. Follow-up documentation will continue to show the physical damage as a result of the collision, strengthening your claim.
Doctors can also provide written statements as proof of the extent of your injuries if you have medical expenses or you’re unable to go back to work.
Find Witnesses
Most auto accidents will have witnesses, whether they are other drivers on the road or bystanders. It is a good idea to get information from these witnesses at the scene of the crash while everyone is still present.
Gather contact information from witnesses and request a brief statement about what they saw. This is information you can document on your phone and save for later to avoid the risk of it being lost. Police will also speak to witnesses and include this information in the report.
What Not to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Anything that you say or do after a motorcycle accident could be used against you as evidence later on. That is why it is so important to avoid doing certain things that could hurt your claim and your ability to get compensation.
An example of something you should not do is speak to the other driver’s insurance provider, as they may try to get you to agree to something. You do not want to verbally agree to anything or sign anything without having your attorney present. You should also avoid speaking too much to the other driver or apologizing, as this could indicate fault or guilt.
Another thing you should avoid doing is posting about the accident on social media. Anything you put online is visible to anyone, including the other parties who could use it against you. It is generally best to stay quiet online until your claim has been resolved.
Hire an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Navigating the legal process after a motorcycle accident can feel very stressful if you do not know what to expect. It is especially overwhelming if you are injured and need compensation to cover medical care or lost wages. Although this process may feel daunting, it does not have to rest solely on your shoulders.
At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, we have protected and won thousands of accident cases. We help our clients gather important evidence and compile strong claims that help them get the compensation they deserve.
Contact us today at Henderson Taylor Law Firm by messaging us online or calling us directly at 360-737-1478.
