You’ve just been involved in a motorcycle crash with another vehicle and you are unsure of what to do now. Stay calm, and focus on your immediately safety first. There are a few things you should do right after a motorcycle accident in Cook County to protect yourself, as well as a potential claim for damages. Our seasoned motorcycle accident attorney can further explain what your options are.
After a motorcycle accident in Cook County, it is first important to check on the health and the safety of yourself and anyone else who may be involved. After that, it is always important to call the police to make a police report. Without a police report, people may change their stories and it may make any financial recovery more difficult. You should also always seek medical attention even if you do not feel the effects of the injuries at the scene.
Following a motorcycle accident, it is important to document the accident scene, as well as the injuries. Sometimes witness testimony will fade, so photographs are great evidence and can be used in court. Most injuries will also fade after a time, including abrasions and bruises. A photo is good evidence to display the nature and extent of their injuries.
You should always report a motorcycle crash to your own insurance company. Even if you were not at fault, it is important to create a record. If the other driver was at fault, a lawyer could communicate with the other driver’s insurance company, which will try to minimize any potential claim and may do things which will be harmful to any injury recovery.
It is not necessary to have a lawyer prior to speaking to your own insurance company but it is advisable to have a lawyer prior to speaking to the defendant’s insurance company.
If someone in Cook County is involved in an accident on their motorcycle which was not their fault, the insurance for the at-fault driver should be responsible for their damages. However, if the other driver does not have insurance, then the plaintiff may be able to make a recovery under their own motorcycle insurance, referred to as uninsured motorist coverage. It is important to make a report to their insurance company, even if they believe the other driver has insurance, because sometimes the at-fault party may show the police an expired license. If neither party has insurance coverage, they may not be able to make any recovery.
No matter how serious a motorcycle accident may be, if there is no insurance coverage, there is likely no recovery. There may be other minor exceptions where an experienced personal injury lawyer could get them a settlement. All motorists must have liability insurance to operate legally on the streets, including motorcyclists. In reality, though, not everyone does.
Driving without insurance in Cook County can result in a ticket from the police. The minimum fine for no insurance is $500, and the mandatory fine increases substantially for a second or subsequent offense with no insurance. It is also possible for a judge to place someone in jail for driving with no insurance. The law is very strict in requiring every motorist to comply with the insurance safety requirements.
Medical treatment is priority number one, followed by getting contact information and collecting any evidence that you can. Then, call a legal professional who can take the case from there. McCready Law can explain everything you should do after a motorbike accident in Cook County.
