Though you may want compensation right after a motorcycle crash, avoid settling too soon into negotiations. As time passes, we may receive larger offers, so being patient is crucial. That said, allowing settlement talks to continue for too long is inadvisable, and we can take motorcycle accident lawsuits to court in such scenarios.
Whether you settle or get a jury award, we can seek compensation for current and future damages. You may have ongoing medical expenses and lost wages from an injury, and you should recover them from a lawsuit. To help prove your case, take photos before leaving the scene. You should photograph your motorcycle, the other driver’s car, your injuries, and the general area. Give any pictures you took to our lawyers, and we may use them as evidence in your lawsuit.
Call the motorcycle accident lawyers of The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for help with your case.
How Long Will My Motorcycle Accident Case Take?
How long your motorcycle accident lawsuit takes depends on several factors, like whether you settle your case or take it to trial in Queens.
If it Settles
Plaintiffs often assume settling is the fastest way to get compensation, but that is not always true. You could accept the first settlement offer and end your case quickly, though the settlement may be far lower than what you deserve. Let us negotiate a fair settlement for as long as it takes. Rushing to accept a proposal could leave you responsible for paying future medical bills or other damages, which our lawyers can help prevent.
Building a strong case helps expedite settlement negotiations, as defendants may be wary of going to court, knowing the weight of evidence against them.
If it Goes to Court
The more witnesses and evidence involved in a trial, the longer it may take to complete. Still, personal injury trials generally last only a few days once they reach the court docket. That takes time in and of itself, which is something to consider if you need compensation almost immediately.
Going to trial does not always take significantly longer than obtaining a fair settlement, which may come as a surprise to some plaintiffs. Even after going to court, you may accept a settlement offer from the defense that ends the trial prematurely.
What Should I Say to the Police After a Motorcycle Accident?
When police officers arrive at the crash site, tell them what happened. Give them your name and insurance information, and explain what the at-fault driver did wrong to cause the accident.
You should also tell officers if you are injured. If paramedics have not yet arrived, law enforcement can request medical first responders at the scene.
Do not apologize for the accident in any capacity, whether when speaking with the police or the other driver. That can be misconstrued and used against you, so the defendant does not have to cover all your damages per New York’s pure comparative fault rule, which lowers damages proportionally to liability.
Suppose you must go straight to the hospital and cannot speak much to the police. In that case, our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you follow up with law enforcement in the following days so they can complete the crash report.
Can I Get Current and Future Damages from a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
While you may have already incurred damages by the time we file your lawsuit, additional costs may be forthcoming. Injuries that require long-term medical care or prevent plaintiffs from working for extended periods may result in future damages, for which we can seek compensation in your lawsuit.
We will use bills, invoices, and income records to prove your damages to date. Report all medical expenses and out-of-pocket costs, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
To calculate your future damages, we may use medical experts. They can testify during trials about scheduled surgeries, anticipated physical therapy needs, and other costs associated with your injuries. This helps us argue for future lost wages, too, as doctors can testify that you will not return to work anytime soon, if ever.
You can also get compensation for current and future non-economic damages in a motorcycle accident case, which our lawyers can also calculate and help prove in Ridgewood.
What Pictures Should I Take After a Ridgewood Motorcycle Accident?
Pictures are some of the strongest evidence in motorcycle accident lawsuits, so make sure you take plenty before leaving to go to the hospital.
Photos of Your Motorcycle
Always take photos of your motorcycle after a crash. Your bike is likely much smaller than the car that hit you, so it might be badly damaged after any accident. Photograph the motorcycle’s final landing point and its proximity to the at-fault driver’s car.
Photos of the at-Fault Driver’s Vehicle
Also, photograph the liable driver’s car. It may have minimal damage after hitting a smaller motorcycle, but you should still take pictures to document the incident.
Photos of Your Injuries
While photographing your injuries can be uncomfortable, it helps prove you were hurt during the crash. It also helps prove the initial severity of the injury, such as deep lacerations or compound fractures that leave broken bones exposed.
You may be unable to photograph your injuries on your own. Feel free to ask first responders or witnesses to take pictures on your behalf, and we can help collect them in the days and weeks to come.
Photos of the Area
Take photos of the area, including any nearby traffic signs that the other driver ignored. You can photograph the double-yellow line that the at-fault party crossed when they hit you and anything else that seems relevant.
Vehicle crashes leave broken glass, car parts, and other debris on the road, which you should also photograph. These pictures help jurors contextualize the car crash, so do not underestimate their importance.
Get Help from Our Ridgewood Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Call the motorcycle accident lawyers of The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review.
