If you are one of the 80,000 motorcycle riders in San Diego, California, and consider it your primary mode of transportation, you should know what to do in case of a road accident. The risk of a fatal accident is 35 times higher in motorcycles compared to four-wheel vehicles. One of the most important things to do is have a credible Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer in San Diego who can help you settle incident liabilities.
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Steps To Take After A Road Accident
It is common for people to judge motorcycle riders during accidents and think they are to blame for any road mishap. To protect yourself from judgments and biases, here are the initial steps to take if you get into a road accident in San Diego.
1. Assess injuries and call for medical help.
Assuming you are not severely injured, you should check yourself first for any neck pains, headaches, bleeding, numbness, back pains, or any changes in your speech, sight, and personality. If you believe you are okay, check the other people involved in the accident to see if anyone needs immediate medical help. Then call 911 or a loved one who could help call for any medical assistance.
2. Call your personal injury lawyer.
Gathering evidence fast right after a vehicular accident is crucial if you believe you are not at fault and want all possible legal claims. There are many things involved in an accident, and you may be facing medical bills, lost wages, and property damages. You can get compensation from all these if you have a lawyer who can help you argue the settlements.
Lawyers are most important if all evidence points to you being at fault. Call your lawyer immediately to learn what to say to the police reports and avoid making any statements to anyone on the scene of the accident. As you are surely still feeling rattled, avoid any kind of settlement before your lawyer addresses the case.
3. Take photos and exchange contact information with the drivers involved in the incident.
Take photos of the scene of the accident before they move anything. Take pictures of the location of accident, the position of the vehicles in different angles, the damages, and property damages, if any. These can be very important as evidence in case you need to bring the incident to the court.
4. Call your insurance company.
California state law mandates that all vehicles should have insurance. If you’re planning to get anything from your insurance company, be sure to inform them immediately of the incident. Talk to your lawyer before you do this to get your story straight. Never show any signs to the insurance company that you may be at fault, or else you lower your chances of getting insured.
5. File a report with the California DMV or the nearest police station.
You can file a traffic collision report at the San Diego Police Department or the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Before you do, prepare your driver’s license, valid identification card, vehicle insurance information, license plate number, and the other driver’s vehicle and insurance information. It is crucial to file this report for documentary purposes you may need for insurance claims and possible court hearings.
6. Get a body shop estimate for vehicle repairs.
After filing police reports and driver information exchange, you can drive the vehicle or hire a tow truck to bring it to a car shop and get an estimate for repairs. This estimate is an essential document for insurance claims or any kind of settlement. Get at least two or three estimates from different shops for comparison. This is to make sure you are getting the right vehicle diagnosis and the correct amount in case one is overcharging. Ask that they put in writing the complete breakdown of cost for parts and labor.
Takeaway
Accidents involving motorcycles and vehicles are usually more complex. Such accidents typically do more damage to the driver than on the motorcycle and cars. You can expect higher medical bills due to personal injury, and it can be more challenging to prove who is at fault. That is why having a lawyer to guide you during such incidents will help you get the compensation you fairly deserve and the insurance claims you need.