Flint Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Driving a motorcycle can be an exhilarating leisure activity, as well as an effective method of transportation for thousands of Americans. They can represent freedom, individuality, and the call of the open road. Regrettably, they can also lead to serious accidents, as motorcycles are some of the smallest and most dangerous vehicles on the road at any given time. If you are ever injured in a motorcycle accident, you should reach out to a skilled Flint motorcycle accident lawyer.

Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim

Depending on the details of your motorcycle accident, you might be dealing with severe injuries that could require ongoing medical care for the foreseeable future. In these extreme cases, pursuing legal action with the help of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at Wigod & Falzon might be your only option for paying for that medical care. Aside from medical costs, you may want to hold your injurer accountable in a court of law just for your own peace of mind. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help.

Before pursuing legal action in a personal injury case, such as a motorcycle accident case, it is important to remember that the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Michigan is three years. That gives you three years to establish a claim, build a valid case, gather the right evidence to support it, contact a lawyer, and file a claim for compensatory damages. If you are unable to file before three years have passed, you may not be able to file at all.

If you miss the deadline, there is a good chance that your case may be dismissed entirely, and your only opportunity to seek damages may pass by. Building a personal injury case can take more time than you might initially think, so it may be wise to start building your accident case as soon as you possibly can. You may want to consider bringing what you have so far to a motorcycle accident lawyer, who can then tell you if you have a strong case.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Surviving a motorcycle accident has the potential to change the way you look at the world, provided you survive the accident. With increasing motorcycle accident stats in Michigan, it is a clear signal to wear helmets and drive cautiously. It is important to note that Michigan state law does not require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet to protect themselves if they are over 21 years old or carry at least $20,000 in medical insurance.

Getting into an accident without a helmet on could result in significantly worse injuries, but it is ultimately your choice if you are old enough. Here are some steps you can take after an accident to help protect your accident claim:

• Try not to panic. A motorcycle accident is going to be a terrifying ordeal, especially if you were struck by a vehicle much bigger than yours. The accident may feel sudden, unpredictable, and out of your control. You will likely want to panic, but it is imperative that you hold yourself together. Try your hardest to keep a cool head, take a few deep breaths, and gather yourself before assessing your situation.
• Check yourself for injuries. Depending on the details of your accident and whether or not you were wearing a helmet and padded clothing, you might be seriously injured. You could also be dealing with shock, which might delay the impact of those injuries. Once you’ve calmed down, you should start checking yourself for any injuries. Look for red spots, wet spots, bruising, sprains, protrusions, and broken bones.If you had anybody else on the motorcycle with you, you should check them for injuries, too. If you are in pain but unable to find an injury, you should mention that to the EMTs. It’s possible your injuries are internal. If you are too injured to move, simply stay put and wait for the EMTs.
• Call 911. If you are not too injured to do so, you should call 911 and notify them of the accident. You will want to make sure police officers and EMTs reach the scene of the accident as quickly as possible. You will need to file an official police report with the cops, and it may feel better to have the authorities on the scene securing it.
• Move your bike. Depending on how injured you are and the damage done to your bike, you may want to consider moving your bike out of the road. The last thing you want is to accidentally cause another accident because oncoming drivers failed to notice your motorcycle in the middle of the road. If your injuries are too severe or the bike is too damaged to move, you can just leave it there for now.
• See the EMTs. Once the EMTs arrive, you should go to them and get checked for injuries more thoroughly. Remember to tell them about any pain you may be experiencing. Let them do their thing and check you for any potential injuries, including a concussion, broken bones, internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injury.
• Talk to the cops. In the event that you aren’t too injured to speak, the police will want to have a word with you. Be honest and transparent with them about the accident, but do not admit fault in any way.Even if you are completely aware that your actions caused the accident, say nothing about it. Admitting fault, even partially, can seriously hurt your chances of seeking compensation and could even result in legal action against you. Apologizing to the other driver could be viewed as accepting fault. Don’t do it.
• Document the scene. Once you have talked to the police and been given the all-clear by the EMTs, you can start documenting the accident scene for your own records and gathering evidence to support your future accident claim. Be sure to take plenty of photographic evidence. Take photos of your injuries, the damage to your bike, the damage to the car that hit you, the road conditions, and any street signs.
• Speak to witnesses. Be sure to speak with any witnesses who may have seen the accident. If they are willing to provide you with their help, get their contact details.
• Exchange information. Be sure to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver involved in the accident. You should get their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance carrier info. Give them the same information. If you are too injured to do any of this, don’t worry about it. The police will likely gather this information and put it in their police report, which you can access later.
• See a doctor. It is vital that you see a doctor once you’ve been cleared to leave by the cops. A doctor can give you a more thorough examination than the EMTs and might even find internal trauma that they initially missed. Additionally, you will want to have a detailed medical report of your injuries that you can use for your claim.
• Notify insurance. You will have to tell your insurance carrier what happened. Be sure to notify them as soon as you can. Provide them with the evidence you may have gathered thus far, but continue to not admit any fault for the accident. If you are contacted by the other driver’s insurance, which may happen, don’t give them any information they might use against you. Advise them to talk to your lawyer.
• See a lawyer. One of the most important decisions you make for your case is hiring the right motorcycle accident lawyer in Flint, MI. You want someone you can trust who has experiences with cases like yours and is empathetic to your cause.

FAQs

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Case?

Technically, no, you do not need to hire a lawyer to handle your case. You are well within your rights to handle your case yourself without retaining legal counsel. Still, it is recommended that you seek out and hire an experienced lawyer. After all, having someone on your side who understands the complexities of the law and can anticipate setbacks can only help you in the long run.

How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Case Take?

There is no telling how long your case may take to settle. A motorcycle accident case takes as long as it needs to take to fully finalize. There is no set timeline. Every motorcycle accident is different and will be influenced by the details of the case. The severity of your injuries, the amount of evidence involved, and both parties’ willingness to compromise will all play a part.

What Should I Do If I Am in a Motorcycle Accident?

If you are ever in a motorcycle accident in Michigan, you need to take the proper steps to protect not only yourself but your future accident claim. Don’t panic; check yourself for injuries, call 911, talk to the authorities, and consult with a lawyer to start working on an accident claim. Along the way, you should see a doctor and notify your insurance carrier about the accident.

How Do I Deal with an Insurance Adjuster?

If you are notified by an insurance adjuster, be sure to clarify what company they represent. If the adjuster is from your carrier, it is probably fine to discuss the accident. If they are from the other driver’s company, say nothing. They are likely to try to find a way out of paying you a settlement. Refer them to your lawyer.

Contact Our Flint Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Team Today

The legal team at Wigod & Falzon can help you build your case, gather evidence, and protect your interests. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help.