If you are wondering what to do after a motorcycle accident in Altoona, your first priority is always to ensure the safety of all parties involved. If possible, move the vehicles from the roadway to prevent further accidents. Call 911 to request medical and police assistance. Even when an ambulance is not necessary, contacting law enforcement is essential as they can assist with clearing the scene and documenting physical evidence, such as the locations of vehicles and skid marks. The police will also help you and the other driver exchange information, including driver’s licenses and insurance cards.
After the scene is cleared, make sure that you seek medical attention to assess the severity of any injuries sustained during the accident. Often an injured party will not realize the extent of their injuries until the day after the collision occurs. In particular, Motorcycle crashes can result in severe injuries requiring extensive follow-up care.
After your immediate needs are addressed, you should enlist the help of a local legal professional following a motorcycle collision in Altoona. A well-practiced lawyer can advise you to seek medical attention to check for injuries and warn you not to speak with the opposing insurance company. They can also help identify and preserve any crucial evidence, such as video surveillance footage from nearby businesses or data from the electronic data recorders in the vehicles involved, which could be lost if not obtained promptly.
A skilled attorney can also establish liability for the wreck by using various types of evidence—such as video footage and testimony from third-party witnesses—to recreate the scene of the accident. They are familiar with the legal procedures and rules of evidence, ensuring that the lawsuit is filed promptly and that all possible defendants are named correctly. Additionally, a committed attorney can help identify other potential sources of compensation beyond the at-fault driver, such as a bar that over-served the driver or the driver’s employer if they were working at the time of the accident.
Unrepresented victims are held to the same standard as lawyers in following legal procedures and rules of evidence. Not knowing these rules can have serious consequences for the case. Capable legal counsel can help you avoid these pitfalls and ensure your case proceeds as smoothly as possible.
Contacting an Altoona attorney promptly after a motorcycle wreck is crucial because the earlier they are retained, the more options they have to help you. For instance, if a lawyer is not retained until three months after the accident, the evidence might have been lost or destroyed—nearby businesses may have overwritten video surveillance, cellphone carriers may have erased call logs or message logs, and the vehicles may have been scrapped or totaled.
In addition, you might have unintentionally given false testimony, and medical bills could have been sent to the wrong insurance company. All these issues can be prevented by involving an experienced lawyer early on in the case, who can navigate the legal process, handle paperwork, and focus on getting you the compensation you need and deserve.
It is important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident in Altoona. Insurance policies often require prompt reporting of accidents. However, you should avoid speaking with the other driver’s insurance company at any point. Opposing insurance companies often request recorded statements from victims, which can lead to confusing and inaccurate statements being made in response to misleading questions. These statements can become a source of confusion if the case goes to court.
If you retain legal counsel, the opposing insurance adjuster will not be allowed to contact you directly, and all communications will go through your attorney. Therefore, while promptly notifying one’s insurance company is important, you should never speak with the opposing insurance company without a legal professional.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, then time is of the essence. Don’t wait! Reach out to a qualified lawyer at Marcus & Mack today.
