CALL (800) 863-5312 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION WITH ONE OF OUR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
Motorcycle accidents often have serious consequences. In addition to physical injury, a motorcycle accident victim may also be left dealing with medical bills and property damage. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another driver, you may be able to pursue compensation for any losses you sustained as a result of a motorcycle accident. Zinda Law Group’s team of experienced New Mexico motorcycle accident attorneys is ready to help guide you through the claim filing process.
If you are interested in pursuing legal action after a motorcycle accident, or to learn more about your rights following an injury, call Zinda Law Group today to receive a free case evaluation with one of our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys.
what to do after a motorcycle accident in New Mexico
Although each motorcycle accident is unique, there are steps to take to ensure you receive the care you need—especially if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident. In addition to getting the medical care you need, be sure to follow all of these steps; this will help when it comes time to present evidence. These steps include:
Seek Medical Attention
In some motorcycle accident cases with serious injuries, you may receive medical treatment at the scene of the accident. In other cases, you may not receive treatment at the scene of the accident; however, you should still visit your doctor as soon as possible to determine whether you need medical treatment.
After you leave the hospital or doctor’s office, be sure to watch for any additional signs or symptoms that occur in the days following the accident. You shouldn’t ignore any signs or symptoms because you can experience the effects of an accident several days after it happens.
Report the Accident
After an accident, you should report it to the appropriate authority by calling the police and filing a report. A documented report of the accident may help strengthen your claim as it will contain important information about what occurred.
Document Your Damage
You may have been too injured or shaken to take photos of the damage at the scene of an accident. As soon as possible, be sure to take photos of the damage. This could include injuries you sustained in the accident, damage to a vehicle, or a defective product, among other damage that a personal injury can cause.
Keep Track of Your Expenses
It’s important that you keep track of all receipts and paperwork related to your accident. In order to seek the compensation you may deserve, it will be important to demonstrate how the personal injury financially impacted you. This could include:
- Hospital and doctor bills
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractor bills
- Documented time taken off from work due to any injuries
- Receipts for the repair or replacement of damaged property
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence and would like to seek compensation, you may need to file a lawsuit against the person whom you believe caused your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can help walk you through every step of the process. This may include:
- Ensuring you receive proper medical treatment
- Investigating the accident
- Interviewing witnesses
- Collecting crash reports
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Reaching a settlement
- Filing a lawsuit
- Going to trial
Our attorneys understand that an injury can leave victims with many questions about their case and the next steps to take. We want to be here to answer your questions, provide updates on your case, and ensure that you receive the compensation you may deserve.
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<![endif]–>HOW DO I FILE A CLAIM FOR A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?
1. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney
The first step in filing a claim for a motorcycle accident is to contact an attorney. Discussing the accident with the at-fault party or an insurance company before contacting an attorney may hurt the value and strength of your claim. Thus, contacting an attorney before making any important decisions may help protect your legal rights.
As part of your initial consultation, the attorney may speak with you in person or over the phone to gather important information. For example, the attorney may want to know when the accident occurred, how the accident occurred, and what injuries you sustained. If necessary, the attorney may then initiate the formal process of filing a motorcycle accident claim.
2. Investigation
An investigation is the second step in the motorcycle accident claim filing process. This step may consist of your attorney collecting evidence to strengthen the credibility and value of your claim. For instance, your attorney may track down and interview witnesses, review traffic camera videos, and account for each of your damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
3. Negotiation and Case Settlement
At some point during the claim filing process, the at-fault party or the at-fault party’s insurance company may try to settle your claim. During negotiation and settlement, your attorney may act on your behalf by negotiating with experienced claim adjusters. If the insurance company refuses to pay an amount that is fair, it may be necessary to take your claim to court. Should your claim go to trial, your attorney will advocate on your behalf in front of a judge and jury.
YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION
Motorcycle accident victims face an uphill battle, including significant hospital debt, pharmacy costs, physical therapy, and lost wages. Other non-economic losses, such as loss of enjoyment of life and pain and suffering, can be just as devastating.
If a negligent or reckless driver caused the accident which led to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your financial damages. For example, if a motorist rear-ended your motorcycle, you may be able to collect compensation for costs incurred as a result of your injuries.
Zinda Law Group’s team of New Mexico motorcycle accident attorneys is here to help you protect your rights. Our attorneys have years of experience handling motorcycle accident claims. We have the resources necessary to help build your case. In your free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, we may help you learn how to protect your legal rights after the accident and identify your best course of action for moving forward.
COMMON MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
Zinda Law Group’s team of motorcycle accident attorneys have years of experience handling motorcycle accident cases. Over the years, we have handled many types of motorcycle accident cases, including:
- Rear-end collisions
- Side-impact (T-bone) collisions
- Head-on collisions
- DWI accidents
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- New Mexico Department of Transporation accidents
- And more
FAQs
How much does a lawyer charge after a motorcycle accident?
Many lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients will not owe any money upfront. Once the case has been settled, the lawyers will take their fee (usually a flat percentage) out of the settlement. If they are unable to win your case, you will not owe them anything.
How much do you get for pain and suffering in a motorcycle accident?
The calculation of pain and suffering in a motorcycle accident is not an exact science. In motorcycle accident cases, juries can use a variety of factors to evaluate just how much pain and suffering should be awarded depending on the severity of the case.
What is the average settlement for a motorcycle accident?
There are so many factors involved in the calculation of a motorcycle accident settlement that it is difficult to provide an exact number for an average settlement. However, it is important to be aware that settlements for more serious injuries will be higher than those for minor injuries. The amount of damages you may seek after a motorcycle accident varies not only from case to case but also from state to state. Courts and juries generally look to a variety of factors when determining just how much compensation is available. They look to the severity of the injuries, property damage sustained, and who was the responsible party. Common areas of compensation in motorcycle accident cases include:
- Medical expenses – including physical therapy, cognitive therapy, ambulance fees, consultations, medical supplies, on-going treatments
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Read More: Key Requirements in a Motorcycle Accident Case
GET HELP FROM OUR NEW MEXICO MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS
If you are interested in pursuing legal action, or to learn more about your rights following an injury, contact the experienced New Mexico motorcycle accident attorneys at Zinda Law Group. Our lawyers are on standby, ready to work for you. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, our team is focused on protecting your rights.
If you have questions regarding your potential motorcycle accident claim, we have answers. Call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 to receive a free consultation with one of our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys. If we are unable to win your case, you will not owe us anything.
Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.
Additional Links:
- Alamogordo Personal Injury Lawyers
- Albuquerque Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Carlsbad Personal Injury Lawyers
- Deming Personal Injury Lawyers
- Las Cruces Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Los Alamos Personal Injury Lawyers
- Rio Rancho Personal Injury Lawyers
- Roswell Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Santa Fe Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Taos Personal Injury Lawyers