How to Protect Your Rights After a Hit and Run Motorcycle Accident
If you’re involved in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident, it’s important to take the right steps to preserve your rights so you don’t end up suffering more than necessary for someone else’s mistake.
Here are the steps to follow after a hit-and-run motorcycle accident:
- Call 9-1-1
- Get medical attention
- Consult a motorcycle accident attorney
- Contact your insurance company
Call 9-1-1
A hit-and-run accident is a crime, and you should report it immediately. The faster you report the crime, the more likely it will be that authorities will identify the guilty party. In addition, you will need official reports of the accident to help document the accident for any future claims with your insurance company or the other driver’s. Mention if you have injuries and need medical attention – they can send an ambulance, which is better than you trying to make your way to the hospital injured and on a damaged bike.
If you are able or if you have someone with you, canvas people nearby to see if anyone witnessed the accident.
When the police arrive, give them all the information that you have, even if this means repeating what you told the 9-1-1 operator. Remember to stick to a factual description of the events. Emotional commentary or attempts to guess the other person’s motivations will not help your case. Let the police know if you have pictures or video, and if you have located any witnesses.
Get Medical Attention
If you didn’t ask for an ambulance via 9-1-1, your next step should be to get medical attention. Do this even if you think you’re fine.
Getting medical attention right after your accident can help you identify injuries that might not be obvious at first. A doctor will be able to assess your condition to detect injuries that you aren’t feeling yet. They can also instruct you about symptoms to watch out for that indicate hidden injuries that can develop and worsen over time, so you’ll know when to seek follow-up care. In addition, immediate medical care will help you prove that your injuries are related to the accident, which will make it easier to get compensation from insurance or the hit-and-run driver.
If you do have any injuries, the earlier you start treatment, the more effective your care will be. Early treatment can head off chronic complications that could lead to permanent pain or disability.
Finally, it’s important to get documentation of medical care to help with the process of dealing with your insurance company. If you don’t seek medical care immediately, your insurance company may use this as evidence to deny coverage for symptoms that develop later.
Consult a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Once you’ve dealt with serious injuries related to your accident, you should consult a motorcycle accident attorney. The aftermath of a hit-and-run accident can be complicated, and the way things play out depends on a diverse array of competing interests.
Police may not be interested in solving your hit-and-run. They are often overworked, and this crime may not be high on their priority list. Even if you provide them with all the information they need to find the driver, they may not pursue the criminal. Insurance companies are concerned about their bottom line, and they benefit when they can deny or devalue your claim. They might help you track down the other driver to recover their costs, but they might not do anything to help you recover your costs.
You need someone who understands the process to advocate for your interests. A motorcycle accident lawyer will fight to ensure you get all the compensation you’re due under your policy and under the law.
It’s important to talk to a motorcycle accident attorney before you contact your insurance company because the company is evaluating every interaction to determine how much compensation they might have to pay. If you don’t understand their approach, you might inadvertently give them reasons to deny your claim. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you protect your rights from your very first interaction with your insurance company until you are fully compensated for all your losses.
A motorcycle accident attorney can also help you pursue compensation directly from the other driver, even if the police fail to follow up on the information you gave them.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Finally, it’s time to contact your insurance company. If you have uninsured motorist insurance, you are automatically covered in the event of a hit-and-run accident. In Colorado, this type of insurance is automatically included in motorcycle insurance policies unless you reject it in writing.
However, even if you have coverage, your insurance company may try to reduce the amount they pay you. They will look for excuses like pre-existing injuries, your fault level in the accident, and other reasons to avoid paying you. They might also delay payment, making it hard for you to pay medical bills and other expenses.
A motorcycle accident attorney can help you hold your insurance company up to the terms of the policy and give you advice and/or help dealing with bills while you’re waiting for the insurance company to pay.
Why Contact Pushchak Law After Your Hit and Run Motorcycle Accident in Denver
Motorcycle accidents are complicated. Hit and run motorcycle accidents are even more complicated. If you’re involved in one, you want to work with an attorney who is focused on motorcycle accidents. Brian Pushchak has made motorcycle accidents a key focus of his practice – he has helped many people get the compensation they deserve after their motorcycle accident. He will help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case by holding responsible parties accountable and getting you the full compensation you’re entitled to by law.
At Pushchak Law, we follow our unique Informed Decisions™ Approach. This means that we put our legal expertise at your service. We will help you understand all your options, but you are always in charge of your case. In addition, we care about our clients, and we always make ourselves personally available to you. You’ll have our contact details, and you can reach us any time you have a question or make a decision about your case.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Pushchak Law serves clients in Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
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