A neglectful motorist can turn your next ride into a fight for your life. However, while their mistakes may have left you hurt and burdened with thousands of dollars in unexpected costs, your own errors could only make your situation worse.

In this article, we take a look at a few missteps you should avoid when filing a motorcycle accident claim:

1. Admitting Fault

While you might think you contributed to the wreck in some way, vocalizing these thoughts to the insurer or another opposing party could compromise your case. It’s possible, after all, that evidence might show that you played no role in causing the accident, or that your contribution was relatively minor. In almost all cases, you should only have such conversations with your attorney.

2. Accepting the Insurer’s First Offer

The insurance company may give you an offer early into proceedings, and—as your costs are probably adding up at a rapid pace—you may be tempted to accept. However, unless you’ve achieved maximum medical improvement, doing so could leave with a settlement that doesn’t account for the full extent of your losses. Your attorney can assess the insurer’s offer to determine whether it is fair or not, taking the necessary steps to counter if it is unfavorable.

3. Failing to Preserve Evidence

To build a strong motorcycle accident claim, you will need to gather compelling proof to support your case. The accident scene is a treasure trove of potentially useful proof—provided you act quickly before such evidence disappears. As such, you should use your smartphone to take pictures of the scene, making sure to document elements such as road markings, damage to the vehicles involved, and debris. If you were physically unable to take these steps, an attorney can do so on your behalf—as long as you contact them as soon as possible.

4. Not Prioritizing Your Health

As a claimant, you are expected to take reasonable measures to mitigate your losses. As part of this duty, you should undergo a comprehensive medical assessment as soon as possible after leaving the accident scene. However, this responsibility extends beyond your doctor’s offices, as you will have to make sure that you take your recovery seriously once you’ve received a diagnosis. Any signs that you deviated from your treatment plan could be used by the insurer to dispute your claim.

Discuss Your Case with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Las Vegas

Building a convincing personal injury claim can be a demanding undertaking. Between filing the necessary paperwork, gathering evidence, and navigating proceedings, it’s incredibly easy to make serious mistakes that could jeopardize your chances of recovering a fair settlement.

At Maier Gutierrez & Associates, we can help guide you through the weeks ahead, providing aggressive representation at every stage. Contact us today at 702-629-7900 or head over to our contact page HERE to lock in a free case review with a Nevada motorcycle accident attorney.