Have You Been Involved In A Motorcycle Crash? Here's What To Do

The moments following an accident are inarguably distressing and overwhelming. Besides the physical pain and trauma, the chaos that ensues at the crash site can make it challenging to have any mental clarity about what to do next. But staying calm and knowing what actions to take immediately after the accident can help you better react to the situation at and away from the crash scene. 

The following is a list of some helpful recommendations of what you must do after a motorcycle accident.

Ensure Everyone’s Safety

First and foremost, you must prioritize your safety and that of other passengers who were with you or those in the other vehicle. If possible, move yourself and your bike away from the roadway to make way for oncoming traffic and prevent congestion. Check to see the other passengers involved in the accident are safe and help them get out of harm’s way as best as you can. 

Next, call 911 to report the accident. Depending upon the severity of the crash, police, and paramedics should arrive at the scene shortly.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you escape the crash scene with a scratch or two or can only feel minor pain, visiting a doctor after being involved in a motorcycle accident is paramount. Often, after an accident, the trauma and adrenaline rush can prevent you from feeling any pain right away. But some injuries like internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries may not show immediate symptoms and can take some time to fully manifest. It may not be too long before you eventually start feeling their full extent and severity. Visiting the nearest doctor can ensure that they quickly diagnose and treat them before they grow worse over time.

Documenting your injuries by visiting a medical professional, regardless of how minor they may seem, will serve as vital pieces of evidence should you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit. By establishing medical records of your injuries, you can use them as leverage to successfully contend that they resulted from the accident and not some other event.

Collect Evidence

Considering your injuries are not severe, and you do not need to be transported to emergency right away, it is imperative to gather some vital evidence while at the scene to help with any future litigation. While law enforcement personnel will collect valuable information from drivers and eyewitnesses when they arrive at the accident scene, they can often make errors or omissions. Backing up your claim with substantial evidence against the liable party is an indispensable aspect of securing a favorable outcome in a personal injury case.

Capture photographs of the accident scene, as it can provide valuable clues and information that may help investigators and insurance carriers ascertain liability in the accident. That includes pictures of your motorcycle and the other vehicles(s) involved in the crash, any visible injuries, and any hazards that you believe may have been the cause of the accident.

Next, approach the driver of the other vehicle and obtain their contact information. Note down their vehicle license plate number as well. You should also record the names and numbers of witnesses who were present at the scene. Their testimony may go a long way in proving the negligence of the other driver. 

Keep All Records

Winning a personal injury claim comes as no easy feat, as demonstrating the at-fault party’s responsibility is a challenging task. One of the ways you can turn the odds in your favor and secure a full and fair settlement from the at-fault party is by proving all losses related to the crash and your injuries. Accordingly, you must maintain thorough records of all medical bills, prescriptions, visits to the doctor or therapists, over-the-counter medications, and lab services. 

If you have suffered severe injuries, you are also likely to miss a significant amount of time from work. In order to receive compensation for lost income, it is integral to provide your attorney with evidence of your salary and the lost wages or paid time off you had to use because of your accident.

Consult a Personal Injury Attorney

If you believe that the collision occurred due to the other driver’s negligence, contacting a motorcycle accident attorney and filing a timely claim can help you recover the compensation you are entitled to from the at-fault party.

By seeking legal representation from a highly seasoned and skilled personal injury attorney, you can receive compensation for many types of damages, depending upon the severity of your particular case. These may include economic and non-economic damages like ongoing and future medical expenses, lost wages, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.  

A dedicated personal injury attorney will evaluate the details of your case and determine the best course of action. They will help calculate your damages and fight for fair compensation by aggressively negotiating with insurance companies, who will go to great lengths to devalue your claim and offer you a minimal payout by using various manipulative tactics.

Whether you are on your usual commute from or to work or riding as your favorite hobby, motorcycle accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. And when they do, the rider is at risk of severe injuries due to the minimal protection they have from the bike. 

Regardless of the extent of your injuries, we encourage you to work with a qualified personal injury attorney who will fight tooth and nail to recover any losses or damages you have incurred as a result of the accident. In the meantime, you can focus on healing and a smooth road to recovery.