Motorcycle Accident Attorney Serving Salt Lake City, UT

The first and most important step to take after a motorcycle accident is to take care of your safety and the safety of others. If you are seriously hurt but still conscious and able to react, make sure you call 911 immediately.

If you are able to, gather information from the scene of the accident, such as license plate numbers and driver information for other vehicles involved. Taking pictures of the scene is also helpful. Try to take photographs that are clear and that show the entire location.  Also, keep a note of the exterior conditions of the accident scene: what was the weather like, what was the condition of the road, and was the road slippery. Also, you should take photos of the traffic signs indicating the speed limit, direction, etc.

You should also observe if there were any witnesses to the accident. You can go talk to them and ask them what they saw. Don’t forget to ask them for their contact information.

Keep in mind that if not gathered immediately, much of the evidence can go unnoticed and disappear, making it impossible to use later.

After the initial damage has been dealt with and the scene of the accident has been documented, you should call a motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss whether you have a case. Find a lawyer specialized in motorcycle accidents in Salt Lake City, Denver, or Phoenix at The Representatives.

The answer is simple – NO.

You don’t have to do any of that, especially not at the time when you are still under stress and subject to fear and anxiety after the accident. This particularly concerns the admission of guilt or signing medical or insurance releases.

The statements you make in that condition could result in severe problems in the future, and you should not do or sign anything before you are properly advised by your motorcycle accident attorney.

If you were in a motorcycle accident and are considering filing a personal injury claim, you should know that motorcycle riders must be less than 49 percent at-fault for causing the concerned accident in order to be eligible to seek compensation. This is also known as the “51% rule“. This means that if a court would determine that you are 50% at fault for the accident, you will not be able to successfully collect compensation.

If you are eligible to file a claim, there are many potential types of compensation for motorcycle accidents.

First, your vehicle will most likely be destroyed and in need of repair. If your motorcycle is your only means of transport, you won’t be able to use it and will be forced to pay the public transportation or car rental. Furthermore, if you are injured, you will need medical assistance and maybe even rehabilitation and occasional medical care. All this will create costs and bills that must be paid.

Also, during your time of recovery, there is a great chance that you won’t be able to work or perform your everyday activities. This could result in a loss of income, and damage to your general quality of life resulting in fear, anxiety, pain, and other forms of suffering.

All the consequences of accidents that are mentioned above can be recovered with financial compensation, and this is why it is very important to make your claim comprehensive and detailed. Initially, you will negotiate with insurance adjusters. In most cases, you will not receive an offer for full compensation.  This is why you should never be pressured to agree to the first offer, as it will most likely not cover all the expenses you’ll face.

If you are not satisfied with your offer for settlement, you can consider going to trial. Having a strong and experienced motorcycle accident lawyer by your side is of paramount importance.

If you are not satisfied with the offer for the compensation you’ve received from the insurance company and believe you deserve more, your motorcycle collision lawyer may recommend going to trial. These are the key takeaways you need to know about going to court to seek personal injury compensation.

The most important matter that will be discussed before the court is the level of liability for the accident. Make sure you hire an experienced lawyer who will assess your case properly and avoid unpleasant surprises in the future. This is the point when all the actions you’ve taken to gather evidence post-accident come in handy.

After your lawyer prepares the case, he will submit a lawsuit before the competent court and present your case. When the motions are served to all parties, and the process has begun, during the pre-trial process, the evidence and witness information will be gathered in a process stage that is called the “discovery.” This point can last for several months, it is not uncommon for the parties to submit themselves to arbitration, mediation, or other forms of alternative dispute resolution. If such attempts fail, your case will go to trial and the trial date will be set.

During the trial, all the evidence and witness statements will be presented to the judge who will decide if your claim is valid or not.

You need to know that winning the trial will most likely result in you receiving much higher compensation than the one offered by the insurance company, but there is always a risk that a jury will not rule in your favor.

Hiring a lawyer is highly recommended if you are pursuing a claim in court.

In Utah, you can represent yourself without the assistance of a lawyer. However, if you decide to do so, there is a great chance that your case will not take the desired direction, as there are many mistakes you can make, such as:

• Failing to react in time and falling under the statute of limitations,
• Accidentally admitting guilt or assuming more guilt than needed,
• Accepting a first low-ball offer under pressure,
• Not gathering evidence to support your claim, or
• Not understanding all aspects of your pain that are compensable.

Hiring an experienced and reliable lawyer makes those risks go away. A properly trained lawyer has spent years practicing personal injury law and fully understands how courts and insurance companies work and think. With their assistance, you will be able to seek compensation for the full extent of your injuries, possibly even the aspects you didn’t consider.

Also, when you represent yourself, you will most likely be emotionally engaged in the case. This can be detrimental to your capacity to think objectively and to deal with pressure. A reliable lawyer operates under a code of professionalism, ensuring that you are safe and well protected at any time.