Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer after a Motorcycle Accident?
Androscoggin County residents were involved in 269 motorcycle accidents between 2008 and 2012, according to the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. This is a significant number, and even more concerning is the number of injuries and the severity of injuries that can occur when you are injured in a motorcycle accident. Here are some steps you can take immediately following an accident:
- Contact local law enforcement: Whether you are in Lewiston, Maine, or anywhere else, contact local law enforcement and advise them of the accident. While some accidents do not require reporting in Maine, it can be important to have a record of any accident. Report the accident to the local police.
- Seek medical care: Even if you do not think your injuries are serious, seek prompt medical attention. Going to the closest medical facility will help ensure that you get the care and attention you need. Do not delay taking care of yourself or your loved ones after an accident.
- Notify your insurance carrier: Regardless of who was at fault for the accident, notify your insurance company about the accident. This can help ensure that your claims are paid in a timely manner. If another party was at fault, your insurance company will likely deal directly with the responsible party’s insurance company.
Contacting a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
After you have reported the accident to the police and to your insurance company, and after you have sought appropriate medical care, consider contacting a motorcycle accident attorney for guidance if you think someone else was responsible for your accident.
There are statutes of limitations that impose deadlines for filing lawsuits. Sometimes there are deadlines for filing notices of claim. These deadlines and statutes of limitations vary depending on the type of claim and the potential defendant. . An experienced attorney can investigate the cause of the accident, identify the responsible persons, and determine how best to proceed.
Determining Fault is Important
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). estimates that 80 percent of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death to the motorcyclist and that 43 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol.
Maine has a comparative fault statute as well. If a victim is partially at fault for an accident, that fault could bar or reduce the amount of compensation. Your attorney can investigate to determine fault in your particular case.
If you are a motorcycle accident victim or you have recently lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, consider consulting a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer. Call Fales & Fales, P.A. at 207-786-0606 or 888-526-9408, for a free consultation. Unless we are successful in recovering compensation, you pay nothing for our services.
