Motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than car accidents. Even worse, over 45% of motorcycle accidents result in a lot more than minor injuries. Riders undergo hefty medical bills, missed wages, and tons of pain and suffering.
Now, if you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident and are going through all this, you need to get compensation. To get as much compensation as possible, you need a professional motorcycle accident attorney and the proper documents to prove your case.
This guide explores the ultimate motorcycle accident record checklist that you need to present to your lawyer to get a better shot at winning the case.
A Police Report
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, the first thing you should do is get the police report. Chances are, the police were called to the scene of the accident and created a report. This report will be necessary for your motorcycle accident attorney as they build your case.
The police report will include information such as the date of the accident, the time of the accident, what led to the accident, and the names and contact information of any witnesses. It’s also essential to get a copy of the driver’s license information for all drivers involved in the accident.
If you are unable to get a copy of the police report, you can contact the police department where the accident occurred and ask for a copy. Understand that there may be a fee associated with obtaining a report.
Photo and Video Evidence
If you have any photos or videos of the accident, make sure to bring them to your meeting with your lawyer. These can help illustrate what happened during the accident. Photos can show the damage to both vehicles, skid marks on the road, and where the vehicles ended up after the collision.
Videos can show the aftermath of the accident and how everyone involved reacted. If you do not have any photos or videos, try to find witnesses who may have taken pictures or videos of the accident. If you are able to get copies of these, be sure to bring them to your meeting with your lawyer.
These are, by far, some of the most essential documents on this motorcycle accident record checklist. Having this evidence can help your lawyer understand the accident and how it happened. This can help build your motorcycle accident case.
Witness Information
If there were any witnesses to the accident, be sure to get their contact information. Witnesses can provide valuable information about what happened during the accident. They may have seen things you did not see and can help corroborate your story.
Be sure to ask for their full name, address, phone number, and email address. Have them write a statement about what they saw if they’re willing to. Statements from witnesses can also be helpful to your lawyer.
Medical Records
After sustaining a motorcycle accident injury, you likely went to seek medical treatment. It’s important to keep track of all your medical records related to the accident. This information is always very helpful to personal injury lawyers.
Your motorcycle accident attorney may want to see copies of your
- Medical bills
- Diagnostic test results
- Prescriptions
- Notes on Treatment
Keep all of these records together and bring them to your meeting with your lawyer. This information can help your lawyer understand the extent of your injuries and how they may have been caused by the motorcycle accident.
Insurance Information
If you were not at fault in the accident, you might be able to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company. It’s imperative to have all of your insurance information handy when meeting with your lawyer. This includes:
- Your car insurance policy number
- The name of your car insurance company
- The name of your insurance agent
If you’ve been injured in the accident, you may also need to file a claim with your own insurance company. Be sure to have the following information: Having this information will help ensure that your lawyer has all the information needed to start building your case.
Lost Wages Documents
If you have had to take time off from work because of your injuries, be sure to keep track of all of the related documents. This includes:
- Copies of your pay stubs
- Letters from your employer stating that you are on leave
- Time cards or other documentation showing the hours you worked
- Bills or other documents related to expenses incurred because of missing work
Bring all of these documents with you when meeting with your motorcycle accident attorney. This information can help prove how much money you have lost because of the accident.
Repair Estimates
If your motorcycle was damaged as a result of the accident, you’ll need to provide repair estimates to your lawyer. These are vital aspects of your motorcycle accident record checklist. You see, they help determine how much money they can seek in damages.
Most insurance companies have a preferred body shop that they work with. If you go to one of these shops, they may not give you an accurate estimate. It’s important to get estimates from at least two different body shops.
Be sure to include the cost of labor and parts in your estimate. Also, ensure you have a copy of the invoice for the work that has been done. This will be important if you need to file a claim with your insurance company.
Evidence of Premium Payments
Your lawyer will likely want to see proof of your premium payments if you have motorcycle insurance. This is an essential document on the motorcycle accident record checklist. It’s critical because it can help show that you had insurance at the time of the accident.
Your lawyer may also request copies of your insurance policy and any correspondence with your insurance company. All of this information can help build your motorcycle accident case.
Tickets Received by Drivers Involved in the Accident
If any of the drivers involved in the accident have received tickets, your lawyer will want to know about them. Tickets can be essential pieces of evidence in a motorcycle accident case. They can show that the driver was negligent and at fault for the accident.
If you are able to get copies of the tickets, provide them to your lawyer. If you are unable to get copies of the tickets, contact the court that issued them and ask for a copy. There may be a fee associated with obtaining a copy of a ticket.
The Only Motorcycle Accident Record Checklist You Need
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s crucial to have all of this information handy. This will help ensure that you have everything your lawyer needs to build a strong case for you.
If you’re unable to get any documents on this motorcycle accident record checklist, contact the appropriate authorities and ask for help. Having this evidence can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.
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