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Auto and motorcycle accidents are rampant and sometimes, tragic. Most individuals who have managed to walk away alive from such accidents always look back upon the moment of the accident as a life-changing moment. From physical injuries and trauma, to psychological and emotional scarring, accidents can have lasting effects on the lives of the people involved in them. However, if handled the right way, you might be able to win accident awards that will make your life easier down the road. Read on to find out how we help our clients win awards for the two most common road accidents in Buffalo NY.
Car Accidents
Generally, auto accident injuries include: head, neck, and back injury, whiplash, paralysis, joint, muscle or bone injuries, and brain injury. In order to make a car accident claim, you must provide medical records that show the injuries were the direct result of the accident. Usually, accidents are handled by the individual’s insurance company, and solved rather quickly. However, it’s important to remember that insurance companies are a business.
Cases are won and lost on the evidence from the accident. The following information should be kept for your future use in case of an accident:
- The other driver’s name, address, telephone number, and date of birth.
- The other driver’s license number and insurance company name, including their policy number.
- The attending police officer’s name and badge number.
- If there were any witnesses at the scene you want to have their names, addresses and phone numbers.
- Make sure you see a doctor or visit a hospital to document any injury.
- Jot down notes regarding the car accident as soon as possible.
- Put together a diagram of the car accident – make sure you note the street layout, arrangement of the vehicles and location of witnesses.
- And get a photograph of the car accident scene if possible so you can document damage to the vehicles, and any of your injuries.
Please be sure to take a look at our car accident checklist also.
One last piece of advice which really should be your Golden Rule when dealing with insurance companies: the insurance company is not your friend. Their ultimate goal is to make sure they pay out the least amount of money possible. And they do just that by putting a team of adjusters, investigators, and attorneys to work immediately.
The insurance company is always represented by an experienced car accident lawyer. If you choose not to be represented by a qualified attorney, you will face a very powerful company – by yourself. And here’s something else to keep in mind. Insurance companies pay nearly three times more money in cases where you, the victim, has a lawyer.
Summary:
- Make sure to collect and document the information you will present as evidence.
- Remember, insurance companies are not your friends, they are not on your side. We are.
Motorcycle Accidents
The most recent statistics from the federal government indicate there were 123,000 motorcycle accidents in the U.S. In 2007 that resulted in injuries with 5,154 fatalities reported. At least 50% of these accidents were not the fault of the rider. In many of these accidents, the fault lies with the driver of the car, van or truck that caused the accident. Usually it’s a matter of the driver not being able to see the bike.
If you have been injured while riding your motorcycle, it’s important to take certain steps right after the accident. You should try to do the following:
- Call the nearest police agency immediately – or have someone on the scene call the police.
- Make sure a police report is begun as soon as possible after the officer’s arrival.
- No matter how minor the accident, seek immediate medical attention. You might have injuries you are unaware of.
- Get as much information as possible about the driver that caused the accident. That would include the license number, their personal information and insurance coverage details if possible.
- Ask that any witnesses provide details of the accident.
If you’ve been seriously injured, you’re not going to be able to gather this information – but your family can. We urge any family member of an injured rider to begin gathering this information as soon as possible.
Many of the injuries riders suffer in a motorcycle accident are permanent and life-changing. Perhaps the smartest thing you can do after gathering this information is seek professional legal advice.
Summary:
- As with auto accidents, make sure you collect all the information you possibly can.
- Because motorcycles are exempt from the No-Fault law in New York state, if you have been in a motorcycle accident, contact n experienced attorney at your earliest.
If you or a loved on has been involved in a car or motorcycle accident in Buffalo NY, please do not hesitate to contact Friedman & Ranzenhofer, Attorneys at Law.
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