An accident with a motorcycle may transform your life in a few seconds. One month you're riding along Portland and the next you are experiencing pain, medical bills, and insurance calls that you never thought of. You should understand how the insurance companies actually operate, and why talking to a Portland motorcycle accident lawyer early could save you hundreds of dollars in making some very expensive errors that you may not even know you're committing.
Motorcycle accidents aren't treated similar to car accidents. The riders are usually blamed unfairly, more severely injured, and harder to cover by insurance. What you utter immediately after a crash can be more significant to your case than you believe.
Everybody will be surprised about the speed at which insurance adjusters contact them following an accident. In some cases, they make follow-ups. They can speak in a very amicable and concerned manner, but they are only trying to shield the bottom line of their company.
The insurance companies are quite quick since the claims on motorcycles may be costly. The riders will tend to incur serious injuries, lengthy recovery periods, and irreparable damages. The adjuster would like to have your statement fixed before you can see the entire picture.
They may say things like:
⦁ We just need a quick statement.
⦁ This will help speed things up.
⦁ We want you paid within the shortest time possible.
What they fail to communicate is that whatever you tell them may be used to downplay or deny your claim in the future.
Injured riders believe they will be honest and cooperative to be helpful to their case. Unfortunately, that’s not how insurance companies work. Even innocent comments can be twisted against you.
Common mistakes include:
⦁ Saying you're okay or not that hurt
⦁ Guessing how the accident happened
⦁ Apologizing or taking partial blame
⦁ Downplaying pain or symptoms
⦁ Agreeing to a recorded statement too soon
Motorcycle injuries often get worse over time. Adrenaline can hide pain, and symptoms may not show up for days. If you say you feel fine early on, the insurance company may later argue your injuries aren’t related to the crash.
Once those words are recorded, you can’t take them back.
Motorcyclists face challenges that drivers of cars usually don’t. There’s a long-standing bias that riders are reckless or take unnecessary risks. Insurers are aware of this and they utilize it to their benefit.
Motorcycle accident claims are different because:
⦁ Injuries are often more severe
⦁ Medical costs are usually higher
⦁ Riders are more likely to miss work
⦁ Fault is more aggressively disputed
In cases where the accident is evidently caused by the driver, the insurers might claim that the rider was over-speeding, changing lanes, or not visible enough. These are also arguments that are frequently employed to make a reduction in payouts or avoid blame.
Without appropriate guidance, the riders will have a feeling of being pressured into a settlement that falls far short of meeting their long-term basis of needs.
You need to take precautions before you even have a conversation with an insurance company in detail in order to guard yourself and your claim. Such measures can be significant in the outcome of your case.
You should:
⦁ Seek medical attention immediately, even when the injuries appear trivial.
⦁ Observe all treatment plans and record keeping.
⦁ Do not use social media to publish details of the accident.
⦁ Take photographs, videos, and information of contacts at the scene.
⦁ Speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer before giving statements
A lawyer can handle communication with insurance companies so you don't have to. They are also able to determine the true worth of your claim as further medical attention, lost earnings, suffering, and the impact of the injury on your lifestyle.
Local knowledge matters too. The Portland based attorney knows Oregon laws, traffic and the way the insurance operations are run in the region.
Insurance companies begin to insure themselves once a motorcycle accident has taken place. Otherwise, you will have to pay a price in the future. What might be a mere chat could cost you thousands of dollars in compensation without you being aware of it.
Collaboration with a well-established company such as Rizk Law can be a way to make the playing field even. You should also be able to prevent some of these pitfalls, defend your rights, and concentrate on recovery rather than dealing with insurance claims representatives by making the right choice.
To find out how legal assistance can assist you in making a step in the right direction, click here. You have been injured on the motorcycle in Portland, and you don't have to hurry into a conversation that may destroy your case.
