If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to know what to do next. The steps you take right after the accident can impact your ability to recover damages later. Contact a Washington, DC motorcycle accident lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today for a free consultation. We value the attorney-client relationship, and we will work to protect your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Call Law Enforcement
After a motorcycle accident, the first thing you should do is call the police. Do not leave the scene of the accident until they have arrived. The responding police officer will write an accident report that you may access later if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
It is important to later get a copy of the police accident report. This document will contain basic information about those involved in the crash and insurance information that you will need to reference later.
Seek Medical Treatment
Getting medical attention right away if you have been injured is important, as motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. Do not wait to see if your injuries will improve on their own. Go to the emergency room or your doctor to get the treatment you need.
Gather Information and Evidence
You will also want to gather information and evidence at the accident scene. This can include:
- Taking photos of the accident scene,
- Getting contact information from witnesses
- Pictures of damage to your car and your injuries
- The other driver’s name, license number, insurance information, and phone number
Contact Your Insurance Company
You will also need to contact your insurance company to inform them about the accident. They will send an insurance adjuster to investigate your case. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to say something that will damage your personal injury claim. It’s important that you do not give a statement to your insurer or the other driver’s insurer without a lawyer present.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
One of the most important things you can do after a motorcycle accident is to seek knowledgeable legal counsel. If you have a serious injury or want help filing your claim, a lawyer can help you deal with the insurance company and protect your rights.
What Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Do For You
The Washington, D.C. motorcycle accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success in helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motorcycle accident, gathering evidence to establish negligence and other forms of liability. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has obtained more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
Damages You Can Recover After a Motorcycle Crash
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may also be available.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
For more than 50 years, the Washington DC lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have successfully represented motorcycle riders and families who have been injured or lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. Here is a small sample of some of our successful verdicts and settlements:
- $3.5 million for a man who suffered a brain injury when a District of Columbia police officer opened his door into traffic and “doored” him.
- $6 million on behalf of a man who suffered a brain injury due to a rear-end collision.
- $5 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a 14-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury due to a doctor’s inappropriate chemical product use.
- $4.8 million on behalf of a severely injured man when his motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a minivan.
- $4.5 million for a woman who was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident after being hit from behind by a transit bus in a crosswalk.
- $600,000 verdict was obtained against the United States Postal Service due to the negligence of one of its drivers, who pulled out from a stop side in front of our client’s motorcycle.
See additional examples of our case victories and settlements on our “Case Results” page.
What If The Driver Is Uninsured?
If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage comes into play when the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance to cover the amount of damage to you or your vehicle.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you are looking for the highest level of representation available for your motorcycle accident claim, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.