Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Motorcycle Accident

Injured in a Los Angeles motorcycle accident due to someone else's negligence? Contact Countrywide Trial Lawyers for a free consultation. Our skilled attorneys are dedicated to securing the justice and compensation you deserve.

​​Being involved in a motorcycle accident is often a life-altering event. Amidst the physical pain and emotional stress, dealing with insurance companies can feel like an additional burden. You might find yourself confused by complex policies, overwhelmed by paperwork, and frustrated by delayed or inadequate responses from insurers. This is a common struggle for many injured motorcycle riders who deserve better support during such a challenging time.

Insurance companies often prioritize their bottom line over your well-being. They may offer settlements that barely cover your medical expenses, vehicle repairs, or lost wages, leaving you to face mounting bills and ongoing recovery without the necessary financial support. The tactics they use can be intimidating, making it difficult for you to stand up for your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation.

This is why you need an attorney. At Countrywide Tria Lawyers, we understand the unique challenges motorcycle accident victims face and are dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve. Our experienced attorneys specialize in negotiating with insurance companies, and we take several steps to ensure that your case is handled with the utmost care and expertise. We take the stress off your shoulders by managing all the legal complexities so you can focus on healing and getting your life back on track.

Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of your situation. Let us provide the personalized support and legal expertise you need to secure the justice and compensation you’re entitled to. Contact a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer at our law firm today for a free consultation and take the first step towards reclaiming your peace of mind.

The Role of Insurance Companies After an Accident

Insurance companies play a crucial role in motorcycle accident claims, but their primary objective is to protect their profits by minimizing payouts. Whether dealing with your own insurance provider or the other driver’s insurance company, understanding their motives and processes is essential for navigating the claims process and seeking fair compensation.

1. Minimizing Payouts: Insurance companies prioritize their bottom line. Their goal is to pay as little as possible on motorcycle accident claims, even when the accident results in serious injuries and significant losses. This often includes offering quick settlements that fail to cover the full extent of medical expenses, lost income, and property damage.
2. Investigating Claims: Insurance adjusters are tasked with investigating claims to determine fault and coverage. They analyze accident reports, recorded statements, and medical records to identify opportunities to deny or reduce payouts.
3. Determining Fault and Liability: Insurance companies evaluate fault by reviewing traffic laws, police reports, and witness statements. They aim to shift blame to the injured motorcyclist or other parties to minimize their client’s liability.

Different Parties Involved

Dealing with insurance companies when there are different parties involved can be quite challenging.

• Your Insurance Company: Your own insurance company handles claims under your policy, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments, or collision coverage. While they are supposed to act in your best interest, their priority is limiting payouts.
• The Other Party’s Insurance Company: The other driver’s insurance company is responsible for compensating you if their client is found liable. However, they will vigorously defend their policyholder to avoid or reduce payments.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: If the other party lacks sufficient insurance, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Steps to Take Before Contacting Insurance Companies

Taking the right steps immediately after a motorcycle crash can strengthen your claim and protect your legal rights.

• Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, seek medical treatment promptly. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, may not present symptoms immediately but require urgent care.
• Document Your Injuries: Medical records provide crucial evidence for your claim, establishing the connection between the accident and your injuries. You should take photos of the accident scene, damaged vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries. Try to gather witness contact information to support your version of events. You should also obtain a copy of the accident report from the responding police officer.
• Gather Information: Exchange insurance and contact details with all drivers involved. Note the make, model, and license plate numbers of all vehicles.
• Avoid Admitting Fault: Do not apologize or make statements that could be interpreted as admitting liability. Even casual comments like “I didn’t see you” can be used against you during the claims process.

Tips for Communicating with Insurance Adjusters

Dealing with insurance companies after a motorcycle accident can be challenging, but it’s important to know what to do and not to do to protect your claim.

• Be Cautious with Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters may request a recorded statement about the accident. Politely decline without consulting an attorney, as these statements can be used to dispute your claim.
• Stick to the Facts: Provide only factual information, such as the date, time, and location of the accident. Avoid speculation or offering opinions about fault or the extent of your injuries.
• Don’t Accept the First Settlement Offer: Initial settlement offers are often lowball amounts designed to close the claim quickly. Consult a motorcycle accident lawyer to evaluate the settlement’s adequacy before accepting.
• Keep Detailed Records: Document all communications with the insurance company, including dates, times, and the names of representatives you speak with. Retain copies of emails, letters, and any forms you submit.
• Do Not Sign Anything Without Legal Advice: Insurance adjusters may pressure you to sign a settlement agreement or release of liability. Consult an experienced attorney before signing any documents to ensure your rights and future claims are protected.

Insurance companies often push for quick settlements after motorcycle crashes to limit their financial exposure. These settlements may not account for the full scope of damages, including:

• Ongoing Medical Bills: Future treatments, rehabilitation, and medications.
• Lost Income: Wages missed during recovery and diminished earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.

By consulting an attorney, accident victims can evaluate the settlement offer against their actual losses and pursue fair compensation.

Common Tactics Insurance Companies Use Against Motorcyclists

Insurance companies often employ various strategies to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether, especially in motorcycle accident cases. Understanding these tactics can help motorcyclists protect their rights and pursue fair compensation.

Claiming Contributory Negligence

Insurance adjusters often argue that the motorcyclist shares some responsibility for the accident. Under contributory negligence claims, the insurance company might assert that the rider’s actions, such as speeding or lane splitting, contributed to the crash.

• Impact: In states like California, which follow a comparative negligence rule, this tactic can significantly reduce the compensation awarded to the victim. For instance, if a motorcyclist is deemed 20% at fault, their compensation is reduced by that percentage.
• How to Counteract: Collect and preserve evidence from the accident scene, such as photos, witness statements, and police reports, to demonstrate that the other party was primarily at fault.

Using Stereotypes to Portray Motorcyclists as Reckless

Insurance companies often leverage societal biases that portray motorcyclists as reckless or dangerous riders. This stereotype can unfairly influence how claims are evaluated.

• Impact: Adjusters may argue that the motorcyclist was weaving through traffic, speeding, or ignoring traffic laws, even without solid evidence.
• How to Counteract: A skilled motorcycle accident attorney can present evidence, such as helmet use, adherence to speed limits, and compliance with traffic laws, to challenge these stereotypes and demonstrate responsible riding behavior.

Delaying Claim Processing

Another common tactic is intentionally delaying the claims process. Insurance companies may drag their feet on investigations, requests for documentation, or settlement discussions.

• Impact: These delays create financial pressure on accident victims, especially if they face mounting medical bills or lost income, leading them to accept low settlement offers out of desperation.
• How to Counteract: Keeping detailed records and working with an experienced attorney can push the insurance company to act in a timely manner or risk legal action.

Disputing the Severity of Injuries or Necessity of Medical Treatments

Insurance companies often question the extent of injuries sustained or the necessity of ongoing medical treatments. They might argue that injuries were pre-existing or exaggerated.

• Impact: This can result in reduced payouts for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
• How to Counteract: Maintain thorough medical records and follow all prescribed treatments. An attorney can work with medical experts to validate the severity of your injuries and the necessity of your care.

Calculating Fair Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident

Achieving fair compensation after a motorcycle accident requires a comprehensive evaluation of all damages incurred, including economic and non-economic losses.

Economic Damages

These are tangible, measurable losses resulting from the accident:

• Medical Expenses (Current and Future): Includes emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and anticipated future treatments.
• Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity: Compensation for income lost during recovery and for any reduction in earning capacity due to long-term injuries.
• Property Damage: Covers the cost of repairing or replacing the motorcycle and any other damaged property.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages account for the intangible impact of the accident on the victim’s life:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain resulting from injuries.
• Emotional Distress and PTSD: Addresses the psychological impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Punitive Damages (If Applicable)

In cases involving gross negligence, such as a drunk driver causing the accident, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.

Reasons Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accident cases are complex, often involving biased assumptions and aggressive insurance tactics. A motorcycle accident attorney can level the playing field and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Experience in Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Attorneys understand the tactics insurance adjusters use to devalue claims and can counter these strategies effectively. They handle communications with the insurance company to protect your best interests.

Knowledge of Motorcycle Accident Laws and Bias

Motorcycle accident lawyers are familiar with traffic laws, helmet requirements, and common biases against motorcyclists. They can challenge unfair assumptions and build a strong case based on evidence.

Access to Resources

Lawyers have access to resources that can significantly increase your chances of winning your case. For example, they can work with accident reconstruction experts and medical experts.

• Accident Reconstruction Experts: These specialists can recreate the motorcycle crash to determine fault and counterclaims of contributory negligence.
• Medical Experts: Professionals who can provide expert testimony on the severity of injuries and the necessity of treatments.

The Ability to File a Lawsuit if Necessary

If settlement negotiations fail, an attorney can file an effective personal injury lawsuit and represent you in court to pursue maximum compensation.

Contingency Fee Basis

Most motorcycle accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs. Attorneys only receive payment if they secure compensation for you, making legal representation accessible even during financially challenging times.

Contact a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, reaching out to a dedicated motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial for protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. At Countrywide Trial Lawyers, our experienced Los Angeles attorneys specialize in handling motorcycle accident cases with the expertise and compassion you need during this challenging time.

When you contact Countrywide Trial Lawyers, you can expect a free, no-obligation consultation where we will thoroughly evaluate your case. We listen to your story, gather essential information, and develop a strategic plan tailored to your unique situation. Our commitment is to fight tirelessly on your behalf, ensuring that you receive fair and just compensation.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact a Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyer at Countrywide Trial Lawyers today and take the first step toward reclaiming your life. Call 844-844-9119 today to schedule your free consultation and let our expert team support you through every phase of your recovery.