Pennsylvania motorcycle personal injury lawyer explains importance of evidence collection
When you first speak to a motorcycle attorney, they will seek to learn the facts about your accident to determine if you have a winnable case. One element of that determination is fault.
In order to effectively fight for your rights in a motorcycle accident, it is imperative that once your hire me as your Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer that we promptly work together on a thorough, comprehensive investigation of the causes and effects of your accident.
Our goal is to piece together the puzzle that proves you were wronged, hopefully through no fault of your own, and create the most effective accident claim we possibly can present to the at-fault party’s insurance company.
If necessary, we hire crash reconstruction experts to assist in re-creating the exact sequence of events, based on the physical evidence and witness testimony available.
An important part of a motorcycle accident claim
Evidence that the other party was completely, or at a minimum, mostly at fault is a critical part of a claim.
On the flip side, if you do not have solid evidence, it will be exponentially more difficult for even the most experienced motorcycle injury attorney to prove that the other party was wholly negligent in causing your accident.
The following items are all considered “evidence” and will help build the most effective case we can:
- Police reports
- Accident site photos
- Forensic inspection of the accident scene, looking at tire tracks, skid marks, blood stains, pavement damage, etc.
- Eye witness interviews
- Examination of the damage to involved vehicles, noting extent and angles of damage
- Photos and samples of torn or bloodstained clothing and gear
- Professional medical reports establishing the inventory, cause and extent of your injuries
Take an Active Role in Your Case
We do most of the work for you in your claim, however, you do not need to be a passive observer in the evidence collection phase of your motorcycle accident claim. You can actively assist in the building of a strong case, starting immediately after the accident.
If you are not critically injured, that is if your life is not in danger, and after you have called 911, take pictures of the scene with your mobile device to capture the conditions of the roadway, your injuries, and vehicles involved in the accident.
Get any names and contact information of all victims, at-fault drivers, and witnesses if you can. If your injuries are too severe for you to collect this evidence, try to have a witness help you.
Fresh evidence is one of the most valuable tools we can have in building a powerful case.
As soon as you get the opportunity, write down everything you can remember about the accident while the details are still fresh in your mind.
You can never have “too much evidence,” when it comes to protecting your interests. We may not need it all, but it is good to have everything we can get.
Additional evidence to build your claim
After the initial collection phase of your claim, additional evidence will continue to accumulate throughout the course of your recovery. Anything that establishes the extent of your personal injuries and the ongoing impact the at-fault driver’s negligence has had on your life will be useful for a higher motorcycle accident settlement amount. So no matter how small it may seem, note everything and share it with me.
Be sure to keep all medical records, bills, and correspondence that results from your accident, as these will help determine the final amount of your reimbursement. Time cards and pay stubs will assist you in establishing any lost wages you may be due.
Get a spiral notebook and use it to keep a running diary of your injury status and its effect on your life. Or, better yet, use your phone or a tablet to retain your thoughts. Include photos and even quotes from friends, family members and co-workers who observe you.
For example, if you have a newer iPhone, you can use the Notes App to simply speak your notes. Then, you can periodically email your notes to my wonderful assistant Tammy, who will compile them for me to review.
If you have not yet contacted an accident attorney, I invite you to contact me, Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer Lee D. Gaber at 888-292-5352 (888-CYCLE-LAW) any time before the two year anniversary of your accident (when the Statute of Limitations runs out).
This is my last blog article of 2016, so I want to take this time to remind you that as great as the holidays are they involve lots of drinking and driving. If you ride your bike this time of the year, be sure to be on high alert for intoxicated drivers this holiday season.