Motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die than car occupants in a crash. With over 8,596,000 registered motorcyclists in the US, there’s always the risk of a motorcycle accident.
If you’re ever in a motorcycle wreck, there are a few steps you need to follow immediately after the crash. Following these steps can help you gather essential evidence.
Then, you can contact a motorcycle accident lawyer to fight for the compensation you deserve.
You shouldn’t have to pay off your medical bills or damages to your bike if you weren’t at fault for the crash. Instead, follow these seven easy steps.
Fight for the compensation you deserve with these tips today.
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1. Move to Safety
After you’re in a motorcycle accident, it’s normal to feel confused and disoriented. First, don’t rush to move. There’s always a risk you sustained a serious spinal injury.
Instead, take a deep breath. Try to remain calm as you work through these tips.
If you’re able to move without experiencing intense pain, prioritize your safety. Move yourself and your bike away from the crash site. Moving out of the way of incoming traffic can help you avoid another accident.
Look around. Was anyone else on the bike with you? Make sure they’re safe as well.
Before moving, take a second to assess your surroundings. Look for any other signs of potential danger.
For example, it’s possible you crashed into a structure that looks like it’s about to collapse. Maybe you were on a narrow road near a roadside cliff or drop-off.
Make sure to move toward a safe place.
Look at any vehicles that were involved in the motorcycle accident, too. Is the vehicle dripping gasoline? Make sure to stay clear before a fire ignites.
Before moving through the rest of these tips, it’s important that you remain at the site of the crash. Otherwise, the police might decide to charge you with a hit-and-run. You don’t want to get into unnecessary legal trouble.
2. Avoid Small Talk
Remember, you’ll need to remain calm immediately after your motorcycle accident. You don’t want to say or do anything that might impact your lawsuit. Try to keep a level head.
Otherwise, you might only make the situation worse.
Try to avoid small talk with the other drivers who were involved in the crash. That included apologizing. Even if you weren’t at fault, sometimes apologizing is a knee-jerk reaction.
Someone might take an apology as an admission of fault.
Don’t point fingers, either. You can’t determine what happened without evidence. Don’t point the finger at another driver or speak out of anger.
That includes engaging other drivers in a hostile manner. Don’t get physical.
If you’re frustrated and unable to remain calm, keep your distance from the other drivers until police arrive. Don’t argue about what happened.
Remember, what you do immediately after the crash could impact your future.
3. Call the Police
Immediately after you’re in a motorcycle accident, make sure to call the police. You’ll need to file an official police report. Your motorcycle accident lawyer can use their report when building your lawsuit.
When you speak with the police, stick to the facts. Avoid any embellishment. Don’t point the finger at the other driver, either.
The police will make a record of injuries, property damages, and in the case of a fatal motorcycle accident, deaths.
Make sure to get the officer’s name and badge number. Your motorcycle accident law firm might need to contact the officer in the future. The officer might even need to testify during your case.
4. Gather Evidence
While you wait for the police to arrive, take a look around. Use this time as an opportunity to gather evidence for your case.
First, take a photo of your motorcycle accident injuries. Taking photos while you’re at the scene will prove you sustained injuries as a result of the crash. Otherwise, an insurance adjuster might argue you sustained the injuries another way.
Take photos of the property damage, too. That includes damage to your bike and helmet.
Make sure to get photo and video evidence of the other driver’s vehicle, too.
Don’t forget to exchange information with the other driver. Get their name, phone number, and address. Ask for their insurance information as well.
It’s normal for you to forget specific details in the days after the crash. To avoid forgetting anything, write down your recollection of what happened. You can provide this statement to your motorcycle accident lawyer later on.
Get photos of the scene, too. For example, you might notice landmarks, stress scenes, or skidmarks on the road.
Did anyone witness the motorcycle accident? Get the name and contact information of any witnesses. Your lawyer might want to contact them later.
Don’t pressure a witness if they don’t want to provide their information, though. Instead, let your motorcycle accident lawyer know someone witnessed the crash. Let the police know about any potential witnesses as well.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company
You might want to contact your insurance company while you’re still at the scene of the crash. Some insurance companies require you to use an app to file your claim. Make sure to have this app downloaded before you’re in an accident.
Otherwise, you might struggle to download the app from the side of the road.
Let your insurance agent know about important details, including the:
- Contact information of the police officer who arrived at the scene
- Names and contact information of any parties involved in the crash
- Make, model, and year of any vehicles involved in the crash
- Contact information of any witnesses
Let your insurance agent know about the extent of your injuries and damages to your bike, too.
Your insurance agent will let you know about any next steps you need to follow after the accident.
6. Seek Medical Attention
About 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in a single year. If you survived a motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to visit a doctor. Only a doctor can fully assess your injuries.
If you plan on filing a lawsuit, you’ll need the doctor’s medical report. Your lawyer will also need to track your:
- Medical bills
- Treatment plan
- Medications
Keep a record of every doctor you visit, including specialists like pain management doctors and chiropractors. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will use your medical bills to calculate your losses.
It’s important to visit a doctor immediately after the crash. Otherwise, the insurance company will argue there was a gap in your treatment. They could argue you sustained your injuries another way.
It’s also important to follow up with your doctor after your initial check-up. Lapses in treatment could indicate your injuries weren’t that severe.
You might not recognize the intensity of your pain until hours or even days after the crash. Sometimes, adrenaline can mask your symptoms.
Visiting a doctor will ensure you don’t miss internal injuries like organ damage or internal bleeding. If you wait too long to seek treatment, your injuries could prove fatal.
7. Find a Lawyer
Nearly a third of all fatal bike accidents occur after riders were drinking.
Meanwhile, frontal collisions factor into over 75% of motorcycle crashes. Another 32% of motorcycle crashes that resulted in death involved speeding.
Every motorcycle accident is unique. Whether someone you loved was in a fatal motorcycle accident or you got by with scrapes and bruises, call a lawyer. A motorcycle accident law firm can help fight with your best interests in mind.
It’s important to call an attorney whether you or another driver was at fault for the accident.
If you were at fault, your motorcycle accident lawyer can protect your assets. If another driver was at fault, you can fight for the compensation you deserve.
When searching for a motorcycle accident lawyer, look for someone with experience with motorcycle crashes. They’ll understand the laws and procedures that are relevant to your case.
When should you call a lawyer? Contacting a motorcycle accident lawyer right away will cover your bases and protect your best interests.
Otherwise, you should contact a motorcycle accident law firm if:
- There were any fatalities
- You suffered serious injuries
- There’s intense damage to your bike
- The damage isn’t covered by your insurance
- Your insurance claim was denied
- You’re receiving blame for the crash
You can talk to this legal team if youve been injured in an accident.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer can calculate your losses. That included your medical bills, property damages, and lost wages. They’ll consider the pain and suffering you’re experiencing, too.
They’ll make sure you don’t leave money on the table.
Your lawyer will also make sure the insurance company doesn’t delay paying off your claim. They’ll fight with your best interests in mind when no one else will.
Don’t Speed Through the Steps: What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Don’t leave the scene of a motorcycle accident without following these steps. Then, make sure to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. They’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.
With their help, you can cover the damage to your bike, medical bills, and other losses.
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