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Close up of throttle control hand and brake lever motorcycle

In the wake of a motorcycle accident, there’s always a lot to do. From arranging for alternative transportation to visiting a doctor, most of these tasks can’t—or shouldn’t—be ignored.

As such, calling an attorney is probably at the bottom of your list, if it’s on your radar at all. Unless you were entirely to blame for the collision, though, you may be entitled to compensation, and an attorney can help you pursue it.

While your health should be your first priority, starting the claims process should be near the top of your to-do list. In fact, you should call a personal injury lawyer as soon as your condition stabilizes. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest reasons why:

1. Valuable Evidence May Be Altered or Destroyed

Your legal team will want to start gathering evidence right away because it may not be available indefinitely. If the wreck was captured by any surveillance systems or dash cameras, for example, the footage may be overwritten in a matter of weeks. Likewise, motor carriers are only obligated to retain their truckers’ logs for six months. Finally, eyewitness testimony becomes less reliable as more time passes.

2. The Insurance Adjuster May Try to Manipulate You

As soon as you enlist legal help, you can refer the opposing party to your attorney. If you hire a lawyer right away, that means the insurance adjuster won’t get the chance to manipulate you into jeopardizing your claim.

For example, they won’t be able to pressure you into giving a recorded statement. Doing so before confirming the cause of the crash or the extent of the damages could lead to discrepancies, which will give the insurance adjuster reason to challenge your credibility.

3. Damages Will Start Accumulating Immediately

From medical bills to lost wages, most motorcycle accident victims start incurring losses on day one. By calling a lawyer immediately, you can ensure none of the damages you suffer in the days immediately following the crash are overlooked.

4. There Are Strict Filing Deadlines for Going to Court

If for some reason the insurance adjuster refuses to offer you a fair settlement, you may have to sue for the damages you deserve. Should this end up being the route you take, you’re going to have to commence the proceedings before the applicable statute of limitations has passed. While Minnesota’s standard filing deadline for actions founded on negligence is six years, there are some exceptions, so it’s best to confirm the timeline with an attorney as soon as possible.

Call 320-259-5414 to Discuss Your Claim with a St. Cloud Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

At Bradshaw & Bryant, we’re equipped to go up against even the largest insurance corporations on behalf of accident victims. If you were seriously hurt by a drunk, distracted, or otherwise reckless driver, we’ll help you fight for the maximum payout possible. Call 320-259-5414 or use our Contact Form to set up a free case review with a motorcycle accident attorney in St. Cloud.

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