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As a motorcycle driver, you’re probably careful to avoid accidents. After all, your helmet and leathers are the only things protecting your body from injury in a motorcycle crash. However, other drivers aren’t always as careful as you and can cause you harm.
The law firm of Bryan Garrett, PLLC, describes your options after an Oklahoma motorcycle accident below. Learn more about what to do if your insurance company denies your claim, what compensation you could receive, and how motorcycle accident attorneys help their clients.
My Insurance Company Says I Was at Fault for My Accident—What Now?
Many insurance companies underpay or outright deny legitimate injury claims before having all the facts. As soon as you report your accident to the appropriate authorities, you should begin interviewing local motorcycle accident lawyers to determine who will be a good fit for your case. Your attorney can begin gathering evidence for your claim, including:
- Getting surveillance footage from nearby businesses
- Collecting witness statements recounting the events of the accident
- Requesting medical records of your injuries
- Gathering forensic evidence from damage to your bike or the other vehicle (s)
- Reconstructing the accident events to determine negligence and liability
Try to avoid speaking with an insurance company without your attorney present. The insurance adjuster for your claim is looking for any information that indicates you were partly to blame for your accident or injuries. Let your attorney answer any of the insurance claims adjuster’s questions and defer any inquiries to your attorney if the adjuster contacts you.
What Compensation Can a Motorcycle Driver Expect To Receive After a Crash?
After an Oklahoma motorcycle accident, you may have medical expenses, repair or replacement costs for your ride, and lost wages from being unable to work with your injuries. If the insurance company underpays or denies your claim, you can seek compensation through a lawsuit against the negligent driver who caused the accident and your injuries.
Compensation may help offset economic, non-economic, and punitive damages against the negligent driver. Economic damages have a definitive value, such as medical expenses, travel costs to get to treatment appointments, repairs to your motorcycle, and lost wages. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and mental anguish.
The court may also award punitive damages if they find the defendant was particularly reckless, malicious, or intentional in their actions that led to your injuries. These damages are designed to punish and deter such behavior rather than compensate you for your injuries, so it’s helpful to know the difference before going into a case.
What Do Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Do?
Your attorney knows the stigma many people hold against motorcycle riders and the bias against motorcyclists when determining fault or liability in a motorcycle accident. Your attorney can:
- Gather the necessary evidence to recreate the accident and develop a timeline of events
- Speak to the insurance company on your behalf
- Explain the safety training and steps you learned to protect yourself and others when getting your Oklahoma motorcycle endorsement to a jury of non-riders
- Gather witness testimony to help the jury determine the negligence of the other driver
Call the Law Offices of Bryan Garrett, PLLC, for Your Oklahoma Motorcycle Accident Case
If you suffered injuries in an Oklahoma motorcycle accident, turn to the law firm of Bryan Garrett, PLLC, with offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK. Our law firm has served injured people for over 15 years in Central Oklahoma, including bikers and their loved ones. Call us today at 405-369-7723 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation.
