The moments after any vehicle accident can be chaotic. You’re on your bike one moment, perhaps cruising down Garden Highway just before sunset, enjoying the view, with everything under control. The next thing you know, you’re on the ground. It’s shocking both physically and mentally, and that’s if you have remained conscious throughout the impact. Then, you look around and…nothing. No “other driver” or even a vehicle pulled over to the side of the road. The situation is still not making any sense. You try to piece together the last thing you remember, but it’s unclear.
Even for experienced riders, an ordeal like this results in anger, fear, and confusion, not to mention the physical pain. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a motorcycle hit-and-run accident, you have rights and legal options for securing compensation.
Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys can help. However, it’s essential to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident, as critical evidence is at stake. For a free consultation with no obligation, call our office at (916) 438-1819. If we take your case, you pay nothing up front or at all unless you win a settlement.
Learn more about our Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorney Services.
The Unique Challenges of Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accidents
Due to the obvious lack of protective gear, motorcyclists are the most physically vulnerable motorists. Without the existence of “the other driver,” whom do you even contact?
The good news is that motorcycle policies often include a safety net for hit-and-runs. Uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is often included in a policy without the policyholder’s knowledge.
If you have been in any motorcycle accident, especially a hit-and-run, there are some clear-cut steps to follow to ensure the best possible outcome of your claim.
Step 1: Contact a Sacramento Motorcycle Attorney
You will need help getting the maximum compensation possible; insurance companies won’t sympathize with your situation. They will stall, try to minimize your injuries and property damage, and do everything they can to lessen their payout to you. An aggressive, experienced motorcycle attorney will know how to push back and negotiate a fair and full settlement. If those negotiations still don’t result in a fair settlement, your attorney will take the case to court.
Remember: Your attorney, not the insurance company, will decide what fair compensation is for your accident.
Step 2: Document Everything with the Help of a Motorcycle Attorney
Your attorney will immediately begin collecting all evidence, such as the accident or police report, emergency room report, dashcam or helmet cam footage, photos of the accident scene, and witness statements. They will gather medical reports as they are generated with every appointment or procedure and track down eyewitnesses, among other things. Your attorney will also make contact with your insurance company and direct the investigation.
Step 3: Record Your Condition in the Days Following the Accident
Motorcycle accident injuries are often severe and complicated. While your attorney is handling the investigation, you should keep a written record of your physical and mental state as you heal. Jot down the dates of your doctor appointments and ensure you have records of each visit, either on paper or electronically. Also, take note of what you can and cannot physically do.
Step 4: Know Your Rights After a Hit-and-Run
In California, the penalty for leaving the scene of an accident you were involved in is severe. If the person who fled the scene can’t be found, your attorney will explain to you how UM or UIM coverage works. It should cover the cost of repairs or replacement of your property, medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering, regardless of whether the other driver is ever identified. Repairs, lost income, and your pain and suffering—even if the at-fault driver is never identified.
Support for Victims of Motorcycle Accidents
The support of fellow riders can be valuable during your recovery and beyond. In addition to physical injuries, emotional trauma is a very real possibility for motorcyclists. Consider contacting the Fallen Riders Support Network or BikerDown for assistance. These online-based organizations also have chapters and in-person meet-ups and events across the U.S.
Hiring an Affordable, Skilled Sacramento Motorcycle Attorney is Possible
Like many attorneys, we work on a contingency basis, which means you only pay a legal fee to us if you win a settlement and pay nothing upfront. Even the consultation is free.
Call Eason & Tambornini in Sacramento at (916) 438-1819 to schedule your free case review. We will get you on the road to recovery and fight for maximum compensation for your damages.