Dealing with a Motorcycle Accident: Do’s and Don’ts

If you’re unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident with an uninsured motorcyclist, there are some things you should and shouldn’t do.

Here are some tips on how to deal with a motorcycle accident:

Dos

Call the Police

Even if the accident doesn’t seem serious, it’s always best that you give the police a call. They will create a report of the accident, which will be helpful if you need to file a claim with your insurance company. If you don’t call the police, the uninsured motorcyclist may try to leave the scene or deny that the accident even happened. If they leave the scene, you won’t have any way to track them down.

Get the Motorcyclist’s Personal Information

If the motorcyclist is cooperative, get their name, address, phone number, and insurance information (if they have any). This will help when filing a claim with your insurance company. If they’re not cooperative, try to get their license plate number so you can at least identify them later.

Document the Accident Scene

If you have a camera phone, take shots of the scene, including the vehicle damage and the other driver’s motorcycle. If you don’t have a camera phone, jot down some notes about what happened and draw a diagram of the scene. This will be helpful information when you talk to your insurance company.

Call Your Lawyer

If you have been involved in an accident in Chicago with an uninsured motorcyclist, you should call a skilled Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer like Adam Zayed. A lawyer based in Chicago will be familiar with the local laws. Only a lawyer who knows the local laws can help you get the deserved compensation. So, hiring a local lawyer for your case is always recommended.”

Don’ts

Don’t Admit Fault

Even if you think you may be at fault, don’t admit fault to the other driver or the police. Let the insurance companies sort out who is at fault. Admitting fault could end up costing your money in the long run. The other driver may use your admission against you to prove that you’re liable for the accident.

Don’t Accept a Cash Settlement

Politely decline if the other driver offers to settle the matter with cash. Once you accept a cash settlement, you may be on your own when paying for damages and injuries. It’s always best to let the insurance companies handle these matters.

Don’t Forget to Follow Up with Your Insurance Company

Be sure to follow up with your insurance company after the accident. Even if you don’t plan on filing a claim, you should notify them of the accident. If you plan on filing a claim, be sure to have all of the accident’s documentation ready. The insurance adjuster will need this information to process your claim.