Some of the most important steps you can take to strengthen your motorcycle accident claim include calling emergency services and cooperating with authorities, documenting injuries and vehicle damage at the accident site, seeking medical attention after a crash even if you feel okay, and avoiding any admission of fault.
In the following article, the team at Bye, Goff & Rohde explains different steps you can take to strengthen your motorcycle accident claim. We’ll consider what to do immediately after a crash and what to do in the days after the incident. Our attorneys will also note various factors that could affect how much your claim is worth.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident and need legal representation, we can help. Serious injuries call for serious lawyers, and our firm has been Wisconsin’s personal injury powerhouse since 1974. To request a free consultation at Bye, Goff & Rohde, call (715) 425-8161 or contact our law firm online.
What to Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident
Here are a few important things you can do in the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle crash to ensure your safety and strengthen your legal claim.
Get Yourself Out of the Flow of Traffic
If you are able to do so, move out of the path of any vehicles. Lay down flares or other warnings to oncoming motorists that will notify them of the accident.
Call Emergency Services
When you are safe, call 911. Do not leave the scene of the accident. Wait for help to arrive and check on others involved to see if they are hurt.
Exchange Information with People at the Scene
Get information from anyone else at the scene of the motorcycle crash, and be sure to provide your information in return. Be sure to get the information of other motorists as well as witnesses to the accident or its aftermath.
You’ll want to take down the following info:
- Full name, phone number, physical address, and email address
- The other driver’s insurance company and policy number
- The other driver’s license number
- The license plate number of the other vehicles involved in the wreck
- The make, model, and color of all other vehicles involved in the collision
- The location of the motorcycle crash
- The time of the motorcycle accident
Avoid Admitting Fault
Do not apologize for the accident or admit any blame for what happened. If you admit that you are partially responsible for the crash, it could reduce the amount of compensation you receive.
Document the Crash and the Accident Site
Take photos and videos of the motorcycle crash. This includes your injuries, the damage to your motorcycle, the damage to other vehicles involved, and the accident site.
If there are skidmarks, debris in the road, or other aspects of the crash site that seem important, take photos and video of those as well.
Cooperate with the Authorities When They Arrive
When authorities arrive, give the facts of what happened and comply with all requests. The information they take from you and others will be part of an official report. This police report of the motorcycle accident is an important part of your claim.
What to Do in the Hours and Days After a Motorcycle Accident
In the hours and days after your motorcycle accident, there are a few things you can do to ensure you have the strongest claim possible.
Seek Medical Attention Even If You Feel Fine
Not all injuries are immediately apparent after a motorcycle crash. Even if you feel all right, be sure to see a doctor and undergo X-rays and an exam. Your doctor may find signs of a major injury and can start treatment as soon as possible. More importantly, this will create an official record of your injuries, which can increase the overall value of your claim. Invisible injuries like concussions may have unapparent or varying symptoms immediately after the accident, but later can pose serious health risks.
Furthermore, keep all documentation of medical treatment. Keep records of reports, prescriptions, and bills, as they are essential for insurance claims. Consider keeping a symptom diary to track your recovery and document the accident’s impact.
Notify Your Insurance Provider About the Motorcycle Crash
Let your motor vehicle insurance provider know about what happened as soon as possible. Stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault or any responsibility for what happened. Remaining factual is crucial to keep your claim strong.
Avoid Posting on Social Media About the Accident
Sharing what happened on social media could undermine perceptions about your injuries and the harm the accident has done. Avoid posting or sharing what happened on any public forums just to be on the safe side.
Speak with Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Wisconsin
Get in touch with Bye, Goff & Rohde as soon as you can to determine if you have a claim. Our lawyers can discuss what happened, assess if the duty of care was breached, and whether that breach led to your injuries and losses. Our attorneys can then let you know what steps to take next to secure compensation. For additional guidance, read our article, “Steps to Take after a Motorcycle Accident.”
How Much Is a Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
The value of a motorcycle accident claim can vary based on numerous factors. We can’t provide an estimate on how much your case is worth without discussing what happened, reviewing the evidence, and determining the long-term repercussions of the crash on your life and livelihood.
As we work on your case, the team at Bye, Goff & Rohde can help you understand how much your motorcycle accident case is truly worth.
Factors That Determine the Value of a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Here are some key factors that determine the value of a motorcycle accident claim:
- The Extent of Your Injuries: Our attorneys pursue personal injury claims for victims who have been physically or emotionally harmed due to someone else’s actions. Your claim will vary based on the ways in which you were injured in the motorcycle accident.
- The Severity of Your Injuries: People injured in motorcycle accidents are much more likely to face catastrophic injuries due to the lack of physical barriers or protection of the driver. After a motorcycle crash, you will likely have major medical bills and require physical rehabilitation that are costly and increase the size of your claim.
- The Long-Term Effects of Your Injuries: Severe injuries could cause limitations in mobility, disability, and changes in your cognitive function and mental health. These types of injuries could affect your ability to earn a living and to live independently.
- Partial Fault in the Motorcycle Accident: Wisconsin has a modified comparative negligence rule in place. This means you can still seek compensation if you are 50% or less at fault. However, the compensation you receive will be reduced by the percentage of your liability. This is why you need to avoid apologizing or admitting blame for what happened.
- Damage to the Motorcycle and Other Property: Depending on the nature of the accident and the level of insurance coverage that you and the at fault party have, property damage may factor into your claim. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will evaluate the accident and seek all possible avenues for compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Accident?
Below are a few parties that could be held liable for a motorcycle accident:
- The Other Driver(s): If you were hit by another driver or run off the road, the reckless motorist(s) can be held liable for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
- A Trucking Company or Commercial Entity: If you were hit by a trucker, delivery driver, or rideshare driver, their employer may be liable for what happened. In these situations, hiring practices or other company policies may have contributed to the motorcycle accident.
- Automakers or Parts Manufacturers: If your motorcycle accident was caused by poor vehicle design, shoddy manufacturing, or faulty auto parts, the maker of your motorcycle or the defective parts can be held accountable for the injuries you suffered.
- Repair and Maintenance Crews: When mechanics make mistakes, motorcyclists suffer harm. We can hold repair and service crews accountable for poor work that contributed to a collision.
- Local Authorities or Businesses: Some motorcycle accidents may be due to potholes, debris in the road, broken traffic signals, or other dangerous road conditions. In these situations, it’s possible to hold city or county officials or local businesses liable if they failed to fix a known hazard.
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the motorcycle crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in the State of Wisconsin. Once the three-year statute of limitations has expired, you will no longer be able to file a legal action.
Keep in mind that you may have even less time to take action if a government entity was involved in the motorcycle accident. That’s why it’s best to speak with our Wisconsin motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible. The team at Bye, Goff & Rohde can get an investigation underway and work toward securing fair compensation.
Why Choose Bye, Goff & Rohde for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Wisconsinites know that they can trust Bye, Goff & Rohde after a serious accident. We have a decades-long reputation for advocacy and strong counsel. We can help injured motorcycle riders seek fair compensation for their injuries so they can recover with strength and dignity.
Serving Wisconsinites Since 1974
Bye, Goff & Rohde has represented accident survivors all over Wisconsin for over 50 years. We’ve been around for decades because we focus on our clients, their families, their lives, and their stories.
More Than 215 Years of Combined Legal Experience
When you hire Bye, Goff & Rohde, you’re not just hiring an attorney—you’re hiring an army. Our lawyers have more than 215 years of combined experience, and we will use that collective knowledge to build a strong case.
A Reputation for Great Legal Results
Our law firm has fought to secure maximum compensation for motor vehicle accident survivors for over 50 years. We encourage you to view our past verdicts and settlements to get a sense of what we can do for you after a negligent motorist has hurt you.
Clients Don’t Pay Unless We Win
Recovering from a serious motorcycle accident may involve expensive medical treatments and long-term rehabilitative care. To help people in need, we accept cases on a contingency fee basis. That means clients don’t pay us anything unless and until we can secure a settlement or win damages in court.
Get a Free Consultation at Bye, Goff & Rohde
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Wisconsin, you need the team at Bye, Goff & Rohde on your side. We will help build a strong case so you can seek maximum compensation for your injuries. To request a free case review, call (715) 425-8161 or contact our Wisconsin law firm online.