A motorcycle accident can leave you dealing with serious injuries, medical treatment, missed work, motorcycle damage, and insurance questions all at once. When you are trying to recover, it can be easy to overlook the importance of keeping accurate records.
Documentation can play an important role in a motorcycle accident claim. Police reports, photographs, medical records, income documentation, insurance correspondence, and other evidence can help establish what happened, who may be responsible, and how the accident affected your life.
This is especially important in motorcycle accident cases because injured riders may face disputes about visibility, lane splitting, right of way, road conditions, or safety equipment. Lionsgate Law Group APC represents motorcycle accident victims in Sherman Oaks and throughout the San Fernando Valley and investigates the circumstances surrounding each claim.
Here are some of the most important documents and records you should preserve after a motorcycle accident.
Police Report
The police report is one of the most important records created after a motorcycle accident.
It may contain information about the location and circumstances of the crash, the vehicles and people involved, statements from drivers or witnesses, and the responding officer’s observations. While a police report is not necessarily the final word on who is legally responsible, it can provide useful information when investigating a claim.
For example, a motorcycle accident may involve a driver who claims they did not see the rider, a disputed left-turn collision, or a disagreement about how the crash occurred. The information documented at the scene can help an attorney understand the initial version of events and identify areas that require further investigation.
Keep a copy of the police or collision report with your other accident documents.
Important Documents, Photographs and Video
Photographs can preserve evidence that may change or disappear after the accident and they are a part of Important Documents.
If your physical condition allows and it is safe to do so, take photographs of:
- Damage to your motorcycle
- Damage to other vehicles
- Your visible injuries
- The accident scene
- Road conditions
- Lane markings and traffic signs
- Debris or other hazards
- Skid marks or other visible evidence
- Weather or lighting conditions
- The location and position of the vehicles
Video can also be valuable. Traffic cameras, nearby businesses, residential security cameras, dashcams, and other sources may have captured part of the collision.
This type of evidence can be particularly important in motorcycle accidents involving visibility disputes or lane splitting. Lionsgate Law Group APC’s current motorcycle accident practice specifically addresses lane-splitting and visibility collisions and uses accident reconstruction evidence to challenge unfair assumptions about riders.
Because some video systems automatically overwrite older footage, evidence should be identified and preserved as soon as possible.
Medical Records and Bills
Medical documentation is essential after a motorcycle accident.
Keep records from every doctor, hospital, emergency department, specialist, physical therapist, or other healthcare provider who treats you for accident-related injuries.
Important records may include:
- Emergency room records
- Doctor’s notes
- Diagnostic test results
- Imaging reports
- Treatment plans
- Prescription records
- Physical therapy records
- Specialist evaluations
- Medical bills and invoices
- Records showing future treatment recommendations
You should also maintain a simple record of your appointments, treatment dates, symptoms, and limitations.
Motorcycle accidents can result in significant injuries because riders have much less physical protection than occupants of enclosed vehicles. The current Lionsgate service page notes that the firm’s motorcycle accident work considers medical evidence when addressing disputes about injuries and safety equipment.
Following your healthcare provider’s treatment recommendations and keeping your records organized can make it easier to document the medical impact of the accident, there are a part of Important Documents.
Proof of Lost Income
A serious motorcycle injury can affect your ability to work.
If you missed work, had your hours reduced, used paid leave, or experienced another employment-related financial loss because of your injuries, keep documentation showing the effect on your income.
Depending on your circumstances, useful records may include:
- Pay stubs
- Wage statements
- Employer letters
- Time-off records
- Employment records
- Tax documents
- Documentation of reduced hours
- Records showing missed workdays
If your injuries affect your ability to perform your previous job or may affect your future earning ability, additional employment or financial documentation may become relevant.
Accurate records can help establish the financial consequences of the accident instead of relying only on estimates, these are a part of Important Documents.
Insurance Documents and Correspondence
Keep every important communication you receive from an insurance company.
This can include:
- Insurance claim numbers
- Letters and emails
- Settlement offers
- Requests for information
- Medical authorization requests
- Recorded-statement requests
- Estimates for motorcycle repairs
- Communications concerning liability
- Documentation related to your insurance coverage
Do not assume that an insurance company’s first settlement offer represents the full value of your claim.
Motorcycle accident cases can involve disagreements about who caused the collision and the extent of the resulting injuries. The current Lionsgate motorcycle accident page notes that insurers may also attempt to reduce a claim by focusing on missing safety gear rather than the actions of the party who caused the crash. The firm addresses these disputes using accident reconstruction and medical evidence.
Before accepting a settlement or making statements that could affect your claim, consider discussing your situation with a motorcycle accident attorney, these are are a part of Important Documents.
Motorcycle Repair and Property Damage Records
Do not overlook documentation related to your motorcycle itself.
Take photographs before repairs are made when possible, and keep:
- Repair estimates
- Repair invoices
- Towing receipts
- Storage charges
- Motorcycle valuation documents
- Receipts for damaged equipment
- Records concerning replacement parts
Your motorcycle may also provide important physical evidence about how the collision occurred. For that reason, avoid disposing of or substantially altering damaged parts before they have been properly documented when a defect or mechanical issue may have contributed to the crash.
Lionsgate Law Group APC’s motorcycle accident practice also evaluates claims involving defective motorcycle components and dangerous road conditions. Depending on the facts, a manufacturer or public entity could potentially be investigated as another responsible party.
Witness Information
Witnesses can provide valuable information about what happened before and during a motorcycle accident.
Write down the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the collision, if you are able to obtain it safely.
A witness may have seen:
- A driver failing to yield
- An unsafe lane change
- A left-turn collision
- A vehicle failing to notice a motorcycle
- Distracted or otherwise unsafe driving
- The condition of the roadway
- What happened immediately after the collision
Witness information can become difficult to locate later, so preserve it as soon as possible, it can be a part of Important Documents that you do not consider at 1st..
Keep Everything Organized
After a motorcycle accident, you may accumulate a large amount of paperwork and Important Documents..
Create a dedicated physical or digital folder for your claim. Keep police records, photographs, medical documents, bills, employment records, insurance correspondence, repair documents, and witness information together.
You can also maintain a timeline that records:
- The date and location of the accident
- When you sought medical treatment
- Each medical appointment
- Days missed from work
- Insurance communications
- Motorcycle repair activity
- Changes in your symptoms or ability to perform normal activities
An organized file makes it easier for you and your attorney to understand the development of your case.
When Should You Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
You do not need to wait until you have collected every document before speaking with an attorney.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Sherman Oaks or the San Fernando Valley, an attorney can help identify what evidence may be important and what additional records should be preserved.
Lionsgate Law Group APC represents motorcycle accident victims throughout Sherman Oaks and the San Fernando Valley. The firm’s current motorcycle accident practice includes cases involving lane splitting and visibility collisions, left-turn and intersection crashes, defective motorcycle parts, dangerous road conditions, and insurance disputes involving safety gear.
The firm is based at 15303 Ventura Blvd, Suite 1050, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, and offers a free case review.
Contact Lionsgate Law Group After a Motorcycle Accident
The right documentation can make an important difference when you are trying to establish what happened and how the motorcycle accident affected you.
Do not throw away accident-related records or assume that a document is unimportant. Police reports, photographs, medical records, income documentation, insurance communications, witness information, and motorcycle repair records can all help build a clearer picture of your claim.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, Lionsgate Law Group APC can review your situation and explain your legal options.
Call Lionsgate Law Group APC at 818-574-5494 for a free consultation.
