Whether you are driving a car or riding a motorcycle at the time of an accident, one thing remains the same—insurance companies never want to provide injury victims with full compensation. It is important to remember this if you are ever injured in an accident. You also want to remember that you never have to settle for what the insurance company offers you. Sometimes, insurance companies like to play up the idea that motorcycle riding is risky and those that choose to ride a motorcycle are risk takers who make poor choices. The insurance company may even be hesitant to accept that the rider was not the at-fault party. The good news is that there are things injured riders can do to make sure that they receive maximum compensation for their injuries. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, please keep in mind these four important tips:
- Never sign anything without first consulting with an attorney. The goal of any insurance company is to pay as little as possible for a claim. With that goal in mind, the insurance company tries to get individuals to sign off on settlement amounts, often for small sums. Sometimes an insurance company will put pressure on the individual to sign, even suggesting that he or she may get less or nothing at all if they delay signing. However, do not let the insurance company’s fear tactics work on you. Before you sign anything, always, consult with an attorney first.
- Hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. If you remember that the insurance company always wants to pay as little as possible for every claim, then you already know that the insurance company is not looking out for your best interests. If you are seriously injured, you need proper compensation to pay for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and the list may go on and on. Do not trust the insurance company to help. Instead, hire an experienced injury attorney who has handled numerous motorcycle accident cases, understands injury victim’s rights, and will fight for full compensation.
- Seek immediate medical attention. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention. Failing to seek medical attention in a timely fashion after an accident is not only harmful if you are indeed injured, it will also be used by the insurance company against you. The insurance company will argue that since you did not have immediate medical needs, your injury is not that serious or was the result of an event that occurred after the accident. Again, the goal of the insurance company is not to pay.
- Follow your doctor’s orders for treatment and rehabilitation. Once you seek medical treatment, your doctors will come up with a care plan for your treatment. It may involve immediate items, like surgery, for example, and long-term items like rehabilitation. It is important to understand your doctors’ care plans fully and to follow through. If you stop treatment without consulting with your doctor beforehand, the insurance company may try to argue that your injury is not as bad as it seems, because you did not follow through with treatment.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a motorcycle collision, the seasoned Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our experienced team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. Trust the Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you as they have helped countless motorcycle injury victims around the area, in both Kansas and Missouri. To schedule a consultation with one of our skilled injury attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.