Depending on the severity of the accident you might find yourself dealing with the RCMP or another police force, ambulance/fire personnel, hospital personnel, insurance company and adjusters, lawyers, towing companies, physio therapists and a whole host of people.
Too often, far too often, I get letters and calls from riders who have had horrible experiences. They get called organ donors or the first thing a police officer looks at is your helmet to make sure its DOT approved – and has an attitude that you are just a dirty biker. I don’t know why there is such prejudice, but it’s there and we have to deal with it.
Dealing with insurance adjusters – they are NOT on your side – remember that, they are representing the insurance company…not you.
Tow truck drivers can also be very pigheaded to deal with and often times have little regard for your motorcycle – lodging complaints with the towing company and the insurance company will help ensure that if there are too many complaints, that towing company will get dropped or they will fire the offending driver to keep the contract.
It’s a lot of work fighting for your life, your health and your rights. You have to protect your interests and unfortunately sometimes that means getting a lawyer involved.
Depending on your situation, one of the first things you or someone who can work for you like a family member or spouse needs to do is get you an injury and or criminal lawyer. Some times the best and only way to look after your rights is having a lawyer guide you.
Keep your mouth shut and write down everything you can. Keep a journal that clearly says on it “MY (Your Name) PRIVATE JOURNAL” then no one but your lawyer is entitled to see what is written there.
Document EVERYTHING - how you are feeling, who visits you, when your medications change, which Dr is looking after you – document everything that you can – then when your memory fails you – or if your lawyer needs information about something, you have something to fall back on. AGAIN - Make sure the Journal says it is Your Private Journal – protect yourself.
If anyone you don’t know comes to your room at the hospital and starts asking questions that make you uncomfortable – don’t answer them, ask them for a card or info and then tell them you are too tired and need to go to sleep – then write down their name and info so that your lawyer has it.
PROTECT YOURSELF!
Have you ever heard of the Alliance for Injured Motorcyclists of Canada? Her is the link to their brand new web site which is still under construction (AIM-Can) Here is the link to the old web site....http://www.aimcan.com/
Have you had an accident with your motorcycle?
What was your experience like?
How were you treated?
Do you have any advice to pass on?
Talk to me….
Stay safe, by riding like everyone around you is blind and can't see you, stay hydrated and PLEASE, use respect with that right hand.
Belt Drive Betty
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