MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS ATTORNEY IN SAN BERNARDINO & REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA
Motorcycle accidents are similar to a car accident, but the potential of SERIOUS INJURY is so much worse… A motorcycle accident can leave you dazed, confused, bleeding, often with broken bones or the very least, unable to protect yourself from further injury. You will be quite upset, scared, and feeling extremely vulnerable. You must be your own advocate when it comes to situations involving accidents of any kind, especially motorcycle accidents until you can contact a qualified PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY.
The LAW OFFICES, STEFAN ROBERT PANCER, P.C. has SUCCESSFULLY represented hundreds of Claimants in their pursuit of compensation against the insurance companies for damages that they received in an accident that was not their fault.
If you can, lock down the facts of the accident at the scene; take photos showing the position of the other vehicle(s), the position of the motorcycle in the roadway, and of course, photos of the injuries that you sustained because of the crash.
Don’t forget to exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident and take cell phone photos of their license plate, Driver’s license, Registration, Insurance card, etc. If you are unable to do so, make sure you know who the investigating police agency is, so you can eventually obtain the above information from the report. California Highway Patrol (CHP), County Sheriff, local Police Department, etc.
Look after yourself by agreeing to receive treatment at the scene so you can survive the incident. Don’t worry about the cost, as your life is the most important factor in this situation. After photos, gather all the information relating to witnesses, including names and contact information. If you are unable to write down the information, ask anyone who stops to give you aid to write their contact information down and also ask them to jot down some notes as they recall what they saw and who they believe was at fault for the accident. (They could turn out to be your very supporting witness down the road when the other party’s insurance company tries to blame you for the accident).
The next step you should take after collecting everything at the scene of the accident, you should learn and understand your legal rights, by hiring an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
Contact, LAW OFFICES, STEFAN ROBERT PANCER, P.C. for more information and to learn your legal rights regarding your claim.
USE YOUR OWN RESOURCES
At the time of the accident, although you may be in a state of shock, if you managed to take any pictures (even with just a smartphone) of your motorcycle or the other party involved, this could prove to be very beneficial for you. Try to forward the photos to an email account in case the emergency personnel or someone else breaks or misplaces your phone. At least the photos will be preserved.
PHOTOGRAPHS of the actual accident scene as well as the vehicles and people involved can be a huge help to avoid the old “he said, she said” type of scenario later on when your lawyer is dealing with the other party’s insurance carrier. Any pictures or anything you may have written down, such as license plates number and make and model of the other vehicle involved, should be all put into a folder to take to your motorcycle accident attorney.
WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO:
At the scene, if you are able, get the other party to admit fault. (preferably in front of someone else who can be your future witness, if needed. Or, have them write down on paper, sign and date, that they were at fault in the accident. (along with what they did wrong. Turned left in front of you, came into your lane, rear ended you, ran the “red light” ran the “Stop Sign”, etc.
At the accident scene or at any time, do not be aggressive or physical and/or use inappropriate language towards the other party. After all, you are the victim and you are looking for explanations as to what happened.
Do speak with the investigating police officer. Statements made at the scene are generally considered more truthful than someone changing their mind later and attempting to change the story and blame the other guy.
Don’t exaggerate; keep the story simple, direct, and very factual. If you don’t remember certain facts, do not make them up. It’s ok to say, “I don’t remember”, especially if you had a head injury.
While you are trying to recover from your injuries and get back to pre-accident status, you need to know that you are more than likely in a vulnerable state whether you realize it or not. Remember that it is your right to refuse to speak to another party’s insurance company if they contact you. Usually they come across as wanting to be your friend but remember, they are working for a multi-million-dollar company who wants to reduce the amount of money they spend on claims and the caller’s job is to somehow limit or deny you any monetary recovery.
Usually, it is better to get photos of your motorcycle before the damage is repaired. Once repaired, it no longer shows what you may have suffered as a result of the impact. (Either from another vehicle, fence or wall, or the ground) Try not to immediately bring your motorcycle to get repaired and all polished up. You should wait for the other party’s insurance to write an estimate and take photos of the damage, which will help you in receiving proper compensation for the damage done to your bike. If you have collision coverage on your bike, you can go through your insurance to cover the loss.
If your helmet shows the impact with the ground or any other object, it is good to shoot a photo of the helmet. Also, torn clothing or “leathers” will help establish the impact and your injuries. Photos of bleeding are also necessary to show your injuries.
Remember, this is your case. The PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER must work with the information that is available. The more information you can provide to the Lawyer, the better your chances are to obtain a satisfactory SETTLEMENT.
Learn more about what to do after a car or motorcycle accident.
THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS
To have an attorney for a MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT is of utmost importance. Whenever you are dealing with any type of injury motorcycle accident, you want to create a strong professional team. In San Bernardino County and Riverside County, there are many attorneys ready to help you with your accident case and some may even be willing to help you in a Court of Law, if you need to file a Law Suit or already have one filed. Because many cases do not settle, and a Law Suit may be required to protect your rights, it is important that you do not speak to or answer questions from the other party or their insurance adjuster involved in the accident with you. If they should approach you, do not speak with them until you have your lawyer present and then only if your Lawyer believes it is in your best interests to have that conversation.
Gather and organize as much documentation as possible from the accident, including photos. Try to obtain a copy of the traffic accident police report. You will receive estimates of the property damage as well as medical bills and records. You should also provide your attorney with a copy of your own insurance policy, including the “declarations” page showing your coverages. (the law requires that you only operate a motor vehicle on a public roadway or highway while carrying an appropriate amount of “Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Coverage.”
As for INSURANCE COVERAGE, the LAW OFFICES, STEFAN ROBERT PANCER, P.C. ALWAYS RECOMMENDS THAT: you carry; Medical Payments Coverage (as high a limit that your company will allow) and Uninsured Motorist Coverage from your Insurance Company, (again, as high a limit that your company will allow) as these coverages protect you when the other party is either, Uninsured or Underinsured and that other party caused the accident and your injuries and damages.
Other than to the police, emergency medical personnel, your doctor, and your lawyer, it is usually best not to give any written or oral statements to anyone else regarding the accident.
All the above-mentioned items should be collected and saved. Remember, you have rights. Don’t go through this alone. Contact a San Bernardino County or Riverside County Personal Injury Attorney who has motorcycle accident experience and do so promptly. You will be doing yourself the favor of making your unfortunate experience just a little bit brighter. Of course, the LAW OFFICES, STEFAN ROBERT PANCER, P.C. will be able to give you some free telephone time in which you can make an intelligent decision as to how to proceed on your Motorcycle Claim against any and all parties who caused you injury.
If you, or someone you know, has been injured in a motorcycle accident, and it was not their fault contact, the LAW OFFICES, STEFAN ROBERT PANCER, P.C. today. We stand up to the insurance industry, on your behalf, helping that you are appropriately compensated for your damages and injuries in your motorcycle accident case.