Why Gathering Evidence After a Motorcycle Accident Is So Important
Motorcycle accidents can be devastating. The bike operator doesn’t have the protective metal shell that a car or commercial truck driver has, and therefore, their injuries are often catastrophic and life-changing.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle collision, gathering evidence after the accident can critically impact the outcome of your settlement or motorcycle accident injury lawsuit.
Why Should You Gather Evidence After a Motorcycle Accident?
Perhaps the accident wasn’t your fault. In this case, you could be eligible to file a claim for damages against the other driver.
If the police report and other evidence indicate that the collision was the other driver’s fault, then they may be responsible for covering your:
- Medical bills, including surgery or physical therapy
- Cost of repairing or replacing your bike
- Compensation for pain and suffering from your injuries
- Compensation for loss of your abilities, if your injury is disabling
However, the other party’s insurance company often won’t pay a claim unless your motorcycle accident lawyer can build a strong case on your behalf. And that means using objective evidence that the other driver was to blame.
What Kind of Evidence Should You Gather After a Motorcycle Wreck?
Evidence in bike accident cases can take many forms. The moments after a collision can be painful and chaotic, so collecting valuable evidence at the scene may be challenging. Some of the things your lawyer can use in your case may include:
- The police accident report
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photos or videos
- Dashcam footage
Any details about potential witnesses are valuable to your lawyer. You may recall that a business near the accident scene — like a bank — had cameras, which can help your attorney determine whether any CCTV footage of the wreck exists.
How Will a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Use the Evidence You Gather?
Your lawyer builds a case that the other driver caused the wreck. They may use photos of the wreck to reconstruct the accident, noting that the damage to your bike indicates that the other driver hit you.
The police report narrative may note key details about the circumstances of the accident, such as that the other driver ran a red light or was texting and driving. This, too, can be important evidence in your case.
Have You Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle collision, you may have a strong case to collect damages from the driver that hit you. The experienced team at Harlan Law can help.
We have served as a passionate voice for injury victims in the Portland and Vancouver metro area since 2006. Aggressively pursuing our clients’ claims to secure maximum compensation and documenting the results.
Contact Harlan Law today for a free case review with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer.