How to Claim Insurance After a Motorcycle AccidentÂ
Filing a motorcycle accident claim should be easy. So why is getting the money you deserve so hard? Motorcycle accident claims can get complicated, making it challenging to recover the money you need to cover your financial losses and medical expenses.
How do you file a motorcycle insurance claim after an accident? The legal team at Stokes Stemle, LLC, has practical advice to help you navigate the process of how to claim motorcycle insurance. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer at our firm today to learn more about the best way to proceed.Â
The First Steps Post-Accident
The first steps you take post-accident can significantly impact the strength of your motorcycle accident insurance claim. Taking proactive steps following an accident can help protect you and increase the likelihood of filing a successful accident claim.
- Contact the authorities and request a copy of the police report.
- Seek medical attention for your injuries immediately after the accident. Retain copies of your medical bills.
- When possible, exchange information with the other driver and document the accident scene extensively. Take as many photographs and videos as you can.
- Ask for the contact information of witnesses at the scene.
Although these are the first steps you should take following a motorcycle accident, they are not the last. In the days and weeks after the crash, you must follow the medical advice of your doctor, contact the insurance company and an attorney, keep all bills and receipts related to the accident, and avoid posting on social media.
Filing Your Insurance Claim
Alabama follows a traditional fault-based insurance system, meaning that after a motorcycle accident, you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company seeking compensation for your injuries and financial losses.Â
Start by contacting the insurance company and submitting a claim according to their rules. You can usually call the company or file a claim online. The insurance adjuster will want to speak with you about the accident and may schedule an inspection. Avoid offering the insurance company an official statement until you speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Submitting a statement to the insurer with inaccuracies, missing information, or other mistakes can hurt your claim and potentially lead to a claim denial.
Once the adjuster has the necessary information, they may schedule repairs and negotiate a settlement for your financial losses, such as medical expenses. Getting the maximum compensation you deserve after an Alabama motorcycle accident can be challenging. The insurer may attempt to pin the blame on you, allowing them to deny your claim altogether. Even if they offer a settlement, never accept one from an insurer without consulting an attorney.
Common Challenges in Motorcycle Accident ClaimsÂ
While filing a motorcycle accident insurance claim should be a straightforward process, there can be challenges to getting the money you deserve. Insurance companies are for-profit entities. It is in the insurance adjusters’ best interest to resolve claims quickly and cheaply. That may mean offering you, a vulnerable motorcycle accident victim, less money than your claim is worth, even if your insurance coverage should compensate you. The insurance agent may also use strategies designed to get you to apologize or admit fault. In Alabama, you cannot collect compensation if you were in any way at fault for the accident that injured you.
A knowledgeable attorney can fight against these tactics and build a solid motorcycle accident case that gives you the best chance of recovering maximum compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our Alabama Motorcycle Accident Attorneys for HelpÂ
Has a careless motorist injured you? It’s time to talk to an experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer. Contact Stokes Stemle, LLC today to set up a free consultation to learn more about your options for recovering the money you deserve.Â