With its stunning desert vistas and year-round sunny climes, Nevada is prime real estate for motorcycling enthusiasts. It’s no wonder that thousands of riders flock to the state to enjoy its idyllic stretches of tarmac. However, like anywhere else in the United States, a serious wreck could be lurking around any corner. If you were injured while riding, turn to the Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyers at Maier Gutierrez & Associates to discuss your options.
You may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses and other losses by filing a personal injury claim. Our skilled legal team can assist with every aspect of building your case, from investigating the wreck to providing tenacious representation during trial. Contact us today at 702-629-7900 to request a free initial consultation.
What Should I Bring to My First Meeting with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Once you’ve scheduled a consultation with a personal injury lawyer, you may be wondering how best to prepare for this one-on-one meeting. Ultimately, sitting down to discuss your case with a Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer is a chance for you to get answers to your claim-related questions and find out how proceedings might unfold in the weeks ahead. Additionally, it’s also a chance for your lawyer to assess the evidence you’ve gathered so far and begin planning their investigation into the crash.
With that mind, let’s look at a few items you might want to share with your attorney during the case review:
- Pictures of the Accident Scene: From photographs of the vehicles involved to snapshots of road markings and street signs, taking pictures of the accident scene can help ensure you start off proceedings on a strong foot. Your attorney and/or an accident reconstruction expert may be able to use these images to determine what happened and who might be liable for your injuries. You should also take photographs of your injuries as these images might help tie your condition to the wreck and help provide context for your medical records.
- A Written Account of the Collision: What were you doing in the moments before the crash? What did the at-fault party say in the aftermath? Did you speak to any eyewitnesses? Did police arrive to investigate the wreck? Did you spot any surveillance cameras near the accident scene? Taking time to write a detailed account of what happened on that fateful day can help preserve these memories for later reference. Your motorcycle accident attorney may want to review your account of the wreck to help guide their investigation and identify important pieces of evidence that could be used to support your claim.
- Medical Records: When you visit the doctor, he or she will typically create medical records documenting the types of injuries you sustained, treatments you’ve undergone, and the care you’re likely to require in the future. As such, your medical records will likely play an important role in proving many of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. You should undergo a comprehensive medical assessment as soon as possible after the wreck as a prompt diagnosis will not only ensure that you receive treatment immediately but could also help connect your condition to the motorcycle accident.
- Financial Documents: Whether you received letters from your employer documenting the time you had to take off work to let your injuries heal or possess estimates for repairs, such financial documents can help you prove the damages you’ve incurred because of your injuries. You should make copies of these documents and store them in a safe place.
Can I Use Social Media During My Motorcycle Accident Claim?
In recent years, social media pages have become meeting places for many of Nevada’s avid bikers. It’s where riders go to show off their new steeds, vent about reckless motorists, and share their favorite routes in the state.
As such, it’s understandable if Facebook or Twitter are among some of your first pit stops in the wake of a collision. However, before you hit “post,” you need to consider the potential implications of discussing the wreck online.
The insurance company may monitor your profiles in a bid to find any evidence that could be used to challenge your case. Claims adjusters could take your comments out of context to dispute liability, or even use pictures you’ve uploaded to dispute damages.
In most cases, it’s best to deactivate your profiles for the duration of proceedings. However, if this isn’t possible in your situation, here are a few ways you can protect your claim next time you go online:
- Update Your Privacy Settings: If you haven’t taken time yet to adjust your privacy settings, it’s possible that anyone—including the insurance company—can view your posts. Fortunately, most social media platforms give you the option to decide who can view your pages, so you will be able to restrict access to only approved friends and followers. While there are still ways for opposing parties to circumvent these settings—i.e., they may be able to view your posts through your third-party connections—taking this step could arm you with an added layer of protection while your claim is pending.
- Screen New Follow Requests Carefully: A notification that you have a new friend or follow request isn’t usually a cause for alarm. However, if you have a pending claim, that next invitation to connect could be from someone employed by the insurance company. Hitting “accept” will give these individuals free rein to scour your pages for any posts that could be used to challenge your credibility. As such, you should abstain from approving new requests until proceedings have run their course.
- Keep Your Photographs Offline: While uploading snapshots to social media websites can give your loved ones a window into your treatment and recovery, such pictures could also hurt your chances of obtaining a financial award. For instance, the claims adjuster could use pictures of you at the park or out on a run to argue that you ignored your doctor’s orders to rest and thus aggravated your condition. You should not upload photographs to social media until your case has concluded as insurers are adept at leveraging seemingly harmless images to dismantle claims.
Discuss Your Case with a Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you were hurt in a wreck caused by someone else, it is in your best interests to speak to a Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney. At Maier Gutierrez & Associates, we can meet with you as part of a free consultation to answer your questions and determine whether you have grounds to file a personal injury claim. Dial 702-629-7900 or tap through to our Online Contact Page to lock in a free case assessment today.
