Motorcycle accidents can be very severe, leaving the victim with serious injuries. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. However, you must go through several important steps to claim damages. You need to collect evidence by negotiating a settlement, which can be difficult in most cases. Nonetheless, the quality of your evidence and how you present it can make all the difference when you pursue compensation for the motorcycle accident. And with professional legal advice and an aggressive approach, it is possible to get the monetary compensation you deserve.
Six types of evidence in a motorcycle accident case
Sometimes it can be challenging for a victim involved in a motorcycle accident to collect evidence due to the severe injuries. In most cases, the victim’s top priority is to quickly get medical attention. Although if the victim can gather enough evidence, he or she should safely and quickly do so. If you do not respond quickly, the evidence may be destroyed or lost, and your memory of the incident may be distorted. If you want to claim compensation in a motorcycle accident case, you need to make sure you gather these 6 types of evidence.
Police report
The police report is very important in a motorcycle accident case. When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you should call the police at the accident scene. A police officer will have to conduct a crucial investigation which aids in creating a well-detailed police report that can be used to convince the insurance adjusters to compensate you. Such as the following:
● The date and place of the crash
● Contact information from all accident participants and witnesses
● Statements of the motorcyclist, the eyewitness, and you
● The police officer’s conclusion of how the accident occurred and who was at fault for causing it
● Any issued traffic citation
Eyewitness testimony
It is very important to gather the contact information of any eyewitnesses. This includes the name and phone numbers of everyone who saw the accident. You don’t have to wait for the police to come. You can gather the necessary information by conducting a quick interview with the witnesses while their memories are still fresh. Eyewitness testimony is very important in order to prove to the insurance company that its insured caused your motorcycle accident injuries.
Photos and videos
Photos and videos are one of the best ways to prove your claims in a motorcycle accident. You should take photographs and videos using your cell phone camera immediately after the crash. You need to take pictures of motorcycle damage, motor vehicle damage, the crash scene, the weather conditions, the road, and your injuries. If you are to be hurt, you can ask someone to help you to do this for you so you don’t lose evidence that can help you prove the other driver’s negligence.
Medical records
Medical records are usually necessary to obtain a fair settlement in a motorcycle accident. Start keeping medical notes as soon as your treatment begins. It will assist you in showing the severity of your injuries.
Loss wages
You are entitled to be compensated for the income you lost from your job while you were off work healing from your injuries. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you should demand records documenting your absence at work to serve as evidence to seek lost wages from your employees.
Your clothes and motorcycle
Victims involved in a motorcycle accident should ensure that their clothes, helmet, and bike are kept in the same condition after the accident. The damage to your motorcycle can help you prove the other driver’s negligence. Bloodied, turned and ruined clothing and helmets can be compelling evidence to show the jury if your case goes to trial.