If you are recovering after a serious bike crash in Wisconsin caused by the negligent or reckless behavior of another driver, you have probably put all your mind and energy on your medical treatment. Today, however, another reality sets in. Injuries from motorcycle accidents do not always heal completely, and you may still be suffering from back pain, splitting headaches and stiff joints. You may wonder how you will cope with all the medical bills, not having seen a paycheck in the last two months. The insurance adjuster has called for an appointment, how are you going to handle the meeting?

In order to have a strategy to maximize the size and the chances of a settlement, you should consider the following guidelines:

Understand who the adjuster is: The insurance carrier deals with hundreds of claims every week and trains a large team of adjusters to settle claims at the best possible terms...for the insurance company. Their training involves psychology and smart tactics - alternating friendliness and threats, offers for immediate cash handouts or delaying tactics.

Control the meeting: Make the appointment during office hours so you can call a counselor during the meeting - a lawyer or a friend who has worked in the insurance business, for instance. Take notes, or even better, record the meeting to make your report afterwards and double-check the information received. Enter and conduct the meeting with a poker face. Do not tell the adjuster you are feeling fine, and avoid being friendly or angry, just businesslike. Do not make any statement about what you think your claim is worth. Let the insurance carrier come forward with the first proposal.

Do your homework: have all the relevant documents with you to give evidence of:

• The other party's liability (proving fault) if this is still an issue;
• Your physical condition: medical records and bills, latest doctor diagnosis, estimate of future medical and therapeutic treatments, etc.
• Loss of wages and other professional income and opportunities;
• Material damage and other losses: motorcycle, lost personal items, booked vacation, etc.

If your injuries are very serious and will take a long time to heal, you should talk to an experienced and determined Wisconsin motorcycle lawyer. Not only has your case become very complex, but also the stakes are high and the defendants will fight tooth and nail.

If you have been hurt in a Wisconsin or Illinois car, truck or motorcycle accident, contact the attorneys of Hupy & Abraham, S.C. today at 800-800-5676 (toll-free) or 414-223-4800 (local) for a free evaluation of your case, or send us an e-mail with your questions. Hupy & Abraham has lawyer offices in Milwaukee, Madison, and Appleton in Wisconsin, and Gurnee and Bloomington in Illinois.