Motorcycle crashes are some of the most dangerous accidents for victims. Road rash, brain injuries, and paralysis are some of the most common and painful injuries victims suffer when struck while riding their motorcycles, all of which we can help them seek compensation for.
To protect your future case, make sure you report the motorcycle accident to the police. We can get and review the police report soon, possibly using it to get eyewitnesses’ contact information so we can schedule interviews. The police report tells us other important information, so always call 911. Let us start preparing your case right away so there is no chance of you missing the two-year statute of limitations
For a free case review from our motorcycle accident lawyers, call Cardamone Law today at (267) 651-7945.
Should You Report Motorcycle Accidents to the Police in Bethlehem?
Call 911 immediately right after a motorcycle accident. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3746(a) requires police reporting for any accident that ends in injury, death, or a vehicle being unable to operate safely. Negligent drivers might attempt to convince victims to not call the police and resolve the issue between themselves without involving law enforcement.
Never listen to these drivers, and always call the police.
Officers from the Bethlehem Police Department should arrive shortly. When they do, tell them what happened and how the other driver was negligent. Say if you are in pain or injured and if you need medical treatment from paramedics.
Police officers will write a report to document the crash, which our motorcycle accident lawyers can assist you in obtaining in the following days. Police reports help us get a clearer picture of an accident and its cause and can lead us toward strong evidence.
How Do You Get Eyewitness Statements for a Motorcycle Injury Case?
Eyewitnesses can give compelling testimony during motorcycle accident trials, so we prioritize interviewing them. Tell us if you spoke to eyewitnesses after the crash and if you got their names and phone numbers. You can ask for their contact information before leaving the scene and tell them our lawyers will be in touch soon.
If your injuries prevent you from talking to eyewitnesses, police officers may include their information in the report. Do not assume no one else witnessed the crash just because you did not see any other witnesses yourself.
Victims are also witnesses and may testify if their claims go to trial. We will make you feel comfortable testifying, running through the questions we plan to ask and those we anticipate the defense asking.
Do You Need Pictures for Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
Having pictures strengthens your case. Do your best to photograph damage to your motorcycle, its final landing point after the accident, and any broken glass, vehicle parts, or other debris left on the road. You should also photograph the other party’s vehicle and any visible damage.
Send all photos you took to us, even if you think they are irrelevant. Suppose you did not take pictures because paramedics took you straight to the hospital. In that case, we may get some from law enforcement or eyewitnesses.
Why Should You Go to the Hospital Right After a Motorcycle Accident?
Going to the hospital right after a motorcycle accident helps us prove you were injured during the crash and not some other event. The sooner you get medical attention, the sooner you start generating medical records that we can use as evidence in your eventual lawsuit.
You should not wait to go to the hospital if you are in pain or paramedics who arrive on the scene urge you to get additional medical attention. If you wait, an injury might worsen, and the defendant might argue against compensating additional damages.
Some injuries are underlying and do not cause pain or discomfort immediately. If you notice injuries hours or days after an accident, get medical attention then. Tell doctors how you were injured and closely follow whatever treatment plan they give you.
When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident?
You should contact our lawyers soon after a motorcycle accident. We can confirm you have a case, calculate your damages, and file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out.
The personal injury statute of limitations in Pennsylvania is two years, so that is likely how long you have to file your motorcycle accident lawsuit. Two years is not long, especially if you are busy physically and mentally recovering from an accident.
Some victims do not think their injuries warrant lawsuits and wait too long to reach out, missing the statute of limitations altogether. If a negligent driver injures you while riding your motorcycle and you incur damages as a result, you can likely file a lawsuit with our help.
Should You Settle Your Bethlehem Motorcycle Accident Case?
Whether your case ultimately settles without a trial depends on your total damages and the offers we receive. We will not advise you to accept a lowball settlement, and we can help prevent you from signing bad agreements.
We will assess all settlement offers and tell you if any are worth accepting. You should not settle a case to get some compensation quickly, as you may be leaving substantial damages on the table.
Initial offers may overlook non-economic damages, and we can continue negotiating until the offers improve.
If negotiations take too long or the defendant will not budge, you can go to trial. This is your chance to prove fault in court and make the defendant cover all damages without you having to make any concessions.
Plaintiffs have different goals for their personal injury claims, and we can help you achieve yours after a motorcycle accident in Bethlehem.
Call Our Bethlehem Attorneys to Talk About Your Motorcycle Accident
Call Cardamone Law’s motorcycle accident lawyers at (267) 651-7945 for help with your case.
