Arizona’s sweeping landscape is a motorcyclist’s dream, offering the chance to enjoy soaring skies and great weather. Riding a motorcycle can, however, be dangerous.
Having two wheels instead of four makes it easier for motorcycles to tip over. Additionally, not having the armature that a car has can lead to drivers getting seriously injured. If you have been in an accident, you may not know when to file a report. However, when you go to report a motorcycle accident in Arizona, there are several guidelines that you need to be aware of.
To help you, Gerbert Injury Law has information on the steps you need to take after a motorcycle accident in Arizona. We will also share why reaching out to a motorcycle injury lawyer is essential.
How to Report a Motorcycle Accident in Arizona
Every year in Arizona, there are 3,000 motorcycle accidents on average. A crucial step you have to take if you’re involved in one of these accidents is to immediately report it.
In Arizona, you are legally required to report an accident if it results in injuries or death or if the accident causes $2,000 or more in property damage. If you fail to report an accident that results in any of these consequences, you could be charged with leaving the scene of the accident.
A police report is a crucial piece of evidence because it shows insurance companies that you obeyed the crash-reporting laws in Arizona. Most of the time, when the police show up at the scene of the accident, they report the accident. But if you don’t speak with the police or aren’t sure whether they filed a report, contact them.
You will need to get a copy of the report for your insurance company. An Arizona crash report is a written document detailing the accident that a law enforcement officer completes. It includes information on the vehicles involved, as well as the road conditions, the visible damage the accident caused, and more.
To be able to get a copy of the report, you need to know which agency investigated the accident. You can then visit your local police precinct and request a copy.
If you’re not sure which agency investigated the accident, however, you may have to contact several until you find the report. You can also rely on your attorney to do this for you, saving you time and energy.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Arizona
The first thing you need to do after a motorcycle accident in Arizona is try to get to safety if you’re on the road. Once you and others are safe, you have to call the police. Don’t assume someone else will do so. Keep in mind that the sooner the police get to the scene, the better your chances of preserving evidence.
Give a clear statement to the police. Be as detailed as you can. A police officer’s report doesn’t necessarily always prove fault, but it is a crucial piece of evidence that insurers will pore over. Thus, getting the facts clearly stated is essential.
When emergency medical services arrive, let them assess you. Even if you feel fine or don’t notice any injuries, you still want to have a medical professional give you the all-clear. You could have internal injuries that may not be apparent to you. In addition to protecting you, a medical assessment also helps ensure that there are clear records of any injuries right from the start.
Another of the most important steps to take after a motorcycle accident in Arizona is to get information from the other parties involved. You shouldn’t talk about the accident itself; just get their contact information. That includes any witnesses who are still present.
Witness statements are very useful because they may have seen things you didn’t. For example, suppose that you were in a hit-and-run. In that case, a witness may have seen the make of the car or may have even taken a picture of the license plate.
Take the time to also get pictures of the accident. If you’re incapacitated because of injuries, have someone else do this. Although the police will also take pictures, it’s important for you to get as many as you can from as many different angles as possible.
The next step you should take is to reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer. People often try to navigate the process of filing a claim on their own, but that’s never a good idea.
Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible, so they may quickly make a low offer that they’ll pressure you to take. If you don’t have legal representation, it’s likely that you won’t get the compensation you deserve.
When you turn to an experienced attorney, they can negotiate on your behalf. From the get-go, they will speak with your insurer to let them know of the accident. They will then file a claim against the other driver if the accident was someone else’s fault.
This is when the photos and police report come in handy. Your lawyer will use them to prove that the other driver caused the accident. They will also use any medical records of the injuries you sustained and the treatment you received for it to help you get compensation for pain and suffering as well as medical bills.
Another benefit of hiring a personal injury lawyer is that they’ll have contact with expert witnesses. These witnesses can recreate accidents and share their knowledge if there are questions on fault. They can also offer their testimony in court.
If you have injuries, the next step is to get the medical care you need while keeping records of everything you have to do as treatment. From medications you purchase to physical therapy sessions you have to participate in, ensuring you have records means having a better chance of getting compensation for your care.
Why Choose Gerber Injury Law for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?
You can’t depend on just any lawyer to represent you after being in a motorcycle accident. These types of collisions can be complex, especially if there are many parties involved, so you need to rely on people who have decades of experience.
At Gerber Injury Law, we have been helping clients receive the compensation they deserve for over 25 years. We have recovered more than $100 million in verdicts and settlements since 2001, making us a trusted firm ready to help those in need.
One of the reasons we’re as effective as we are is that we’re trial lawyers. We don’t hesitate to take a case to court if we feel our clients are not being treated as fairly as they deserve. Because we exclusively practice personal injury law, we have an edge over firms that overextend themselves in other practice areas.
We’ll guide you from the start so you don’t have to go through this difficult process on your own. When you turn to the team at Gerber Injury Law, you’ll always be treated like family. With people who respect you and are there to help you, you can have a better chance of getting the justice you deserve.
Don’t wait to get quality representation after being in a motorcycle accident in Arizona. Contact Gerber Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation.
