What You Should Do If Your Motorcycle Accident Causes Property Damage

If you have been in an accident on the road that caused property damage, you may be experiencing a shock. If you are in an accident and all that damage belongs to another person, it’s important that you know what steps to take after the accident. This article will guide you on what to do if you are responsible for a motorcycle accident involving property damage.

Get An Attorney

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important that you get legal advice right away. State laws differ. If you are in an accident involving property damage, you should file the lawsuit within the time limit. After the expiration of the statute of limitations, you won’t be able to do anything about the property damage you suffered. The longer you wait to contact an attorney, the harder it will be to solve the case.

Gather Property Repair Costs

It’s important that you gather repair estimates of the damages in the accident. You will need this information when negotiating with the defendant, the insurance company, and, if necessary, the court. The more estimates you have, the better. Good estimates will give you a clear picture of what the repairs will cost.

This is why it is important to document every single expense you make following an accident. By documenting your expenses, you will have a clear estimation of your damages. You need to collect your medical bills and other bills for repairing your property. If you fail to provide solid proof, insurance companies will invalidate your claim.

Know Your Insurance Options

Different motorcycle policies handle motorcycle accidents differently. Knowing what to expect from your policy after an accident involving property damage is in your best interest. You should also know who to call at your insurance company and how much time you have to make a property claim. The last thing you want is for someone else to take advantage of your confusion about the process after an accident involving property damage.

Contact The Defendant

Before filing a claim, try to speak with the defendant. In some cases, the defendant will be willing to pay you for the damages they have caused. If the settlement they are offering is fair, it would be best to accept the offer. Before accepting the offer, ask your attorney to review the offer to see if it is a fair offer or not. 

Remember, never ever contact the defendant on your own. It will always backfire. The defendant may claim that you threatened them and make your claim invalid. Always speak to the defendant through your attorney. Your attorney will take the proper action and will negotiate a settlement.

Report the Accident to the Law Enforcement Agency

If you have been involved in an accident on the road, your state may require you to report a police officer or other law enforcement agency that responds to the accident. This report helps law enforcement agencies collect information about the accident.

It is important to report the accident to the authorities immediately. Any delay in reporting the accident can work against you. In addition, when reporting the accident to the authorities, be as specific as possible; pay attention to details. The police report can be used as evidence. So, be clear and truthful about the accident in the report.

Appeal The Law

If you believe that the accident happened differently from how it actually did, you can appeal the police report. This is important if you are involved in a motorcycle accident involving property damage. It’s also important because your insurance company may use the police report for evidence before paying out your claim.

Also, Check – Why it is Important to Hire an Experienced Lawyer for a Personal Injury Case

Talk To Witnesses

If there are witnesses who saw what happened in the accident, try talking to them. You should ask them if they will provide a written statement and contact information. Their statements may be helpful in your case later down the line. You can also indicate on your police report that there were witnesses and give their contact information.

Once you feel fine and ready to file a case against the negligent party, give the contact information you collected to your attorney. Your attorney will speak with the witnesses on your behalf and will nudge them into testifying. Witnesses are an integral part of any case. They can help you win the case without any hassle.

Final Thoughts

Doing all the aforementioned things by yourself following an accident without any legal background is not possible. To win a personal injury case, you need to have prior experience in personal injury law, or you should have a lawyer by your side. In conclusion, if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you should contact an attorney who has experience in motorcycle accidents. The attorney will help guide you through reporting the accident and ensure you don’t miss any details.