After a motorcycle accident, the first thing you should do is prioritize your own safety. Check yourself for injuries, get out of harm's way, and call for emergency services if needed. Start documenting evidence of what happened, taking photos and/or videos of the crash scene, the damage to your vehicle, and your injuries. Write down or record in a voice memo your recollection of what happened. Speak to any involved parties at the scene to gather their information—about their identity, their vehicle, their insurance, and how to contact them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor, even if you don't think you are injured. You will likely need to make a prompt report to your insurance, but if possible, reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer first, to prepare ahead of time for the claims process.

Don't leave the scene of the accident right away. Ensure you've done all the duties the state requires of you before leaving, such as making an accident report with law enforcement if required. Don't say anything that implies your own fault or minimizes the damage you've suffered—statements like, "I'm sorry," or "I'm not hurt" can damage your case. Lastly, don't delay too long on contacting legal assistance and beginning the claims process. Your motorcycle accident claim is subject to a deadline, after which point compensation cannot be recovered.

The time limit for motorcycle accident claims in Washington is typically three years from the date of accident. It's imperative to file your claim well before this date, if possible, to help the process run smoothly and maximize your compensation. A Washington motorcycle accident lawyer can help you streamline the process while strengthening your claim's value.

The exact compensation amount available varies depending on the situation, with a few major factors contributing to most settlements. The most important is the severity of the damage and your injuries, which can contribute medical bills and other related expenses to the total amount you are owed. If you have to take time off work due to your injuries, you may also be eligible for compensation to make up for lost wages. Compensation may also be offered for emotional damages, pain and suffering, and other damages which are not easily quantified. Contact a Vancouver motorcycle accident lawyer to get a more complete understanding of your case's potential value.

If an agreement can't be reached while negotiating with the at-fault party, it may be worth filing a suit. While it is usually preferable to settle out of court, if this isn't an option, it may be necessary to escalate. However, you should talk to a Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer before moving to this step—they may be able to help you obtain full compensation without having to go to trial, and if not, their skills and experience will be invaluable to help you prepare and file a suit for the full amount you are owed.

While a motorcycle accident lawyer is not absolutely required, their assistance can make a major difference in the outcome in your case. From the very beginning, partnering with an attorney can be a huge help, allowing you to more thoroughly compile and assess the evidence and granting you access to their own professional resources. In negotiations, a lawyer can help you defend against manipulative tactics meant to reduce the amount you receive from the opposing party's insurance. It should also be noted that a lawyer can help you identify additional sources of compensation which you may have missed, further increasing the value of your claim.