The minutes and days after a motorcycle crash are a blur for most riders. You’re hurt, your bike may be totaled, and people are suddenly asking you questions you aren’t ready to answer. That’s understandable. But some of the choices made during that stretch can follow a case for months.
Our friends at The Galliher Law Firm discuss how riders often face an uphill battle after a collision, partly because insurers are quick to assume the motorcyclist was at fault. A motorcycle accident lawyer sees the same handful of missteps again and again, and most of them are easy to avoid once you know what they are. We’ve pulled together the ones that tend to cause the most trouble.
Skipping Medical Care Because You Feel Okay
Adrenaline is powerful. Plenty of riders walk away from a crash, shake it off, and decline the ambulance. Then the headache starts two days later.
Some injuries, including concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage, don’t show up right away. Getting checked out promptly protects your health first. It also creates a medical record that ties your injuries to the crash. When there’s a gap of a week or two between the accident and your first doctor visit, an insurance adjuster will almost certainly argue that something else caused your symptoms.
Apologizing or Guessing at the Scene
Most of us say “sorry” out of habit, even when we did nothing wrong. After a crash, that habit can hurt you.
A quick “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you” can be twisted into an admission of fault. The same goes for guessing about your speed or what happened in the seconds before impact. Stick to the facts you are sure of. Exchange information, cooperate with police, and leave the question of blame for later.
Not Gathering Evidence While It Still Exists
Skid marks fade. Debris gets swept up. Witnesses drive off and become hard to track down. If you’re physically able, or if someone with you can help, try to collect:
- Photos of the vehicles, the road, traffic signs, and your injuries
- Names and contact details for any witnesses
- The other driver’s insurance and license information
- The police report number
Hang on to your damaged gear, too. A cracked helmet or torn jacket can say a lot about the force of the impact. Don’t throw it out or repair the bike before the damage has been documented.
Giving a Recorded Statement Too Soon
Within a day or two, you might get a friendly call from the other driver’s insurance company. They’ll ask how you’re feeling and whether you’d mind giving a quick recorded statement. You are not required to agree.
Adjusters know how to frame questions in ways that shrink a claim. A casual “I’m doing alright” may later be used to suggest your injuries weren’t serious. It is perfectly reasonable to decline politely until you’ve had a chance to get advice.
Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Early offers can look tempting, especially when medical bills are piling up and you’re missing work. But a first offer is rarely the insurer’s best one. And once you sign a release, you usually can’t go back and ask for more, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected.
Before accepting anything, think about the full picture. That includes future treatment, lost income, and the pain and disruption the crash has brought into your daily life.
Posting About the Accident Online
We get it. Friends and family want updates, and social media feels like the easy way to share them. The problem is that insurance companies look at those posts. A photo of you smiling at a barbecue can be used to argue you aren’t really hurt, no matter how you felt that day.
Stay quiet online about the crash and your recovery until your claim is resolved.
Waiting Too Long to Act
Evidence gets harder to find with each passing week, and memories fade. There are also time limits on how long you have to bring a claim. Waiting to see how things play out can leave you with fewer options than you would have had otherwise.
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash and have questions about what comes next, we encourage you to connect with an attorney who can review the details of your situation and help you understand your options.
