I often get asked why I recommend that riders who have been involved in crashes write down as much as they can remember as soon after the crash as possible, when the insurance company or a solicitor will in due course take a statement which will then be used to support proceedings or any claims made.
OK, try this. Think of something significant that has happened to you within the past few months. Remember back to that day and try to describe, in as much detail as you can, exactly what happened. What time did you get up? What did you have for breakfast? What clothes did you wear? What was in your post? What time did you go out? What was the weather like? How much traffic was on the road? Who did you speak to during the day?
How did you get on? I expect there were many things that happened that you have completely forgotten about. Time has dulled your memory so that you struggle to recall the details exactly.
Well, since an accident is a traumatic experience, you are at the very least likely to suffer at least a mild degree of shock. When you get home and sit down and think back through the previous few hours, I can guarantee that you will have already forgotten a number of the events (possibly important facts) leading up to the crash.
Now let?s move it on a bit. As a result of your involvement in an accident, you may (if you are lucky and depending on the severity of the accident) get a visit from the Police shortly after the crash, and they might take a full witness statement although, in all probability, you will get nothing more than a pro-forma questionnaire through the post a few weeks later. Already your memory of the events will have dulled. If there was no Police involvement, it may be some months or, in some cases, a couple of years before your insurance company or solicitor gets round to taking a statement from you. How much detail can you recall of events that occurred two years ago? Not much I would imagine.
Your account of events could be all that stands between achieving a satisfactory settlement of your claim and losing everything. There will no doubt be elements of the circumstances of the accident which may have seemed insignificant at the time but which could end up having an important bearing on the result of the case. If you had written down every piece of information you could remember, straight after the accident occurred, not only will it act as an aide memoir, but it will also give you credibility by ensuring that your account remains consistent. It is far better to write down too much detail than to leave something out that you feel is irrelevant but which turns out to be important further down the line.
So what information should you record?
Well, for a start, make sure you don?t forget the basics. What date, day of the week and time of day did the accident occur?
What were the weather conditions and traffic flow like? This is always useful. If visibility was poor record whether headlights were being displayed by yourself and the other vehicles involved?
What were you wearing? Proper protective motorcycle clothing is more than adequate, as this can be expanded on later, but if for example, you were wearing a high visibility jacket then say so. This could be important later on.
Describe the location and the type of road you were on including speed limits and, most importantly, any peculiar or unique features of the location. This could have an important bearing on your claim, for example was it a strange or peculiar junction layout? .
As far as the narrative is concerned, explain where you were travelling from and to, and if this was a regular journey then say so. Your account really wants to start from about 2 miles prior to the point where the crash occurred, unless something happened earlier in your journey that you feel had a bearing.
If you can remember, include any comments made to you immediately after the crash and if you can record who said them. You should also describe any potential defendants as it may have a bearing should there be problems identifying the third party.
Finally, give an account of who you thought was at fault and the reasons why. Perhaps someone turned out of a minor junction into your path, or they just didn?t see you. Make a record of whatever you feel caused the crash. Again it may have a bearing on any claims brought.
Your recollection of events is just as important as those of anyone else who witnessed the accident. At the end of the day you experienced first hand what happened, a solicitor or Judge involved in any subsequent claim didn?t. The more you can recall of the event the better.
So don?t forget. Write it down.
OK, try this. Think of something significant that has happened to you within the past few months. Remember back to that day and try to describe, in as much detail as you can, exactly what happened. What time did you get up? What did you have for breakfast? What clothes did you wear? What was in your post? What time did you go out? What was the weather like? How much traffic was on the road? Who did you speak to during the day?
How did you get on? I expect there were many things that happened that you have completely forgotten about. Time has dulled your memory so that you struggle to recall the details exactly.
Well, since an accident is a traumatic experience, you are at the very least likely to suffer at least a mild degree of shock. When you get home and sit down and think back through the previous few hours, I can guarantee that you will have already forgotten a number of the events (possibly important facts) leading up to the crash.
Now let?s move it on a bit. As a result of your involvement in an accident, you may (if you are lucky and depending on the severity of the accident) get a visit from the Police shortly after the crash, and they might take a full witness statement although, in all probability, you will get nothing more than a pro-forma questionnaire through the post a few weeks later. Already your memory of the events will have dulled. If there was no Police involvement, it may be some months or, in some cases, a couple of years before your insurance company or solicitor gets round to taking a statement from you. How much detail can you recall of events that occurred two years ago? Not much I would imagine.
Your account of events could be all that stands between achieving a satisfactory settlement of your claim and losing everything. There will no doubt be elements of the circumstances of the accident which may have seemed insignificant at the time but which could end up having an important bearing on the result of the case. If you had written down every piece of information you could remember, straight after the accident occurred, not only will it act as an aide memoir, but it will also give you credibility by ensuring that your account remains consistent. It is far better to write down too much detail than to leave something out that you feel is irrelevant but which turns out to be important further down the line.
So what information should you record?
Well, for a start, make sure you don?t forget the basics. What date, day of the week and time of day did the accident occur?
What were the weather conditions and traffic flow like? This is always useful. If visibility was poor record whether headlights were being displayed by yourself and the other vehicles involved?
What were you wearing? Proper protective motorcycle clothing is more than adequate, as this can be expanded on later, but if for example, you were wearing a high visibility jacket then say so. This could be important later on.
Describe the location and the type of road you were on including speed limits and, most importantly, any peculiar or unique features of the location. This could have an important bearing on your claim, for example was it a strange or peculiar junction layout? .
As far as the narrative is concerned, explain where you were travelling from and to, and if this was a regular journey then say so. Your account really wants to start from about 2 miles prior to the point where the crash occurred, unless something happened earlier in your journey that you feel had a bearing.
If you can remember, include any comments made to you immediately after the crash and if you can record who said them. You should also describe any potential defendants as it may have a bearing should there be problems identifying the third party.
Finally, give an account of who you thought was at fault and the reasons why. Perhaps someone turned out of a minor junction into your path, or they just didn?t see you. Make a record of whatever you feel caused the crash. Again it may have a bearing on any claims brought.
Your recollection of events is just as important as those of anyone else who witnessed the accident. At the end of the day you experienced first hand what happened, a solicitor or Judge involved in any subsequent claim didn?t. The more you can recall of the event the better.
So don?t forget. Write it down.