Situated on the shore of Lake Champlain, Burlington is a great place to get out on your bike during the spring and summer months. Unfortunately, bikers face more risks when they are out on the road than any other person in a motor vehicle. With little more than a helmet to protect them, bikers face serious risks when they are involved in an accident. 

Other drivers do not watch for bikers the way they watch for other drivers. After a crash, bikers are often left with high medical bills, and they typically cannot return to work right away as they need time to recover. Motorcycle drivers are also often assumed to be at fault due to the biases some people have against motorcycle drivers. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash, do not hesitate to call our Vermont motorcycle accident lawyer to learn more about your legal options.

Motorcycle Accidents are Usually Caused by Drivers

Although motorcycles account for just two percent of the vehicles on the road, they make up ten percent of the crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle accident fatalities have decreased in recent years. Still, bikers are far more likely to be killed during a crash than other drivers. 

Drivers of passenger vehicles often view bikers as reckless and dangerous people. Juries, judges, and insurance companies often think that when a biker is involved in a crash, it was because they did not operate their bike in a safe manner. Generally speaking, this is not the case. Of all multi-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles, the drivers of passenger vehicles are at fault in 80 percent of cases.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Law enforcement will investigate the crash fairly thoroughly, but the blame is sometimes wrongfully placed on bikers in Burlington. To ensure the blame is not placed on you after an accident, it is critical to collect important evidence and take other steps that can protect your future claim for compensation. The most important steps to take after a motorcycle accident are as follows:

  • Collect as much information as possible, including the insurance and driver’s license information of all other motorists, and take note of weather and traffic conditions.
  • Locate witnesses and ask them for their names and contact information.
  • Seek immediate medical attention, even if you do not think you were seriously injured.
  • After the police have filed an accident report, obtain a copy of it.
  • Report the accident to your own insurance company, even if you were not at fault.
  • If the crash resulted in injury or property damage valued at over $3,000, file a report with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.

Just as there are steps you should take after a motorcycle accident, there are also things you should avoid doing after a crash. These include:

  • Provide a recorded statement to the insurer covering the at-fault party without first consulting with an attorney.
  • Fill out reports or forms from the at-fault driver’s insurance company without first speaking to a lawyer.
  • Sign a settlement offer made by the insurance company without first contacting a Burlington motorcycle accident lawyer.

How to File a Claim After a Motorcycle Accident

Vermont is a fault state, requiring all motorists on the road to carry auto liability insurance. Fortunately, this provides a means of obtaining financial compensation after a crash. It is important to know though, that when filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer, the adjusters and representatives you will work with are not on your side. They want to pay you as little as possible, even if it is not enough to cover the cost of your injuries, so they can retain more of their profits.

It is crucial to work with a Burlington motorcycle accident lawyer when filing a claim. A lawyer will accurately value your claim so you can receive the full compensation you need to make a full recovery. A lawyer will also know how to negotiate effectively with the insurance company, and will not allow them to use any deceptive tactics that could negatively impact your claim.

Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Burlington Will Fight for Your Rights

The time following a motorcycle crash is filled with stress and uncertainty. At Sabbeth Law, our Burlington motorcycle accident lawyer can help you make sense of the aftermath and will fight hard to ensure your rights are protected so you can claim the maximum damages you justly deserve. Call us now at (802) 457-1112 or reach out to us online to schedule a free review of your case with our seasoned attorney.