
A
motorcycle accident can be a very scary experience. Knowing what to do if this
happens to you can help lessen the stress and confusion that can occur.
1. Make sure everyone is okay
The first thing you should do following a motorcycle accident is to make sure
you, any passenger, and any one in the surrounding area are okay and safe. In
fact, the safety of yourself and others is paramount immediately following an
accident. It supersedes any other actions. Make sure that all persons involved
are at a safe distance from the collision. However, if there is a possibility
of severe injury, do not move the person. Instead, call for an ambulance.
2. Call the authorities
You should dial 911 to ensure the police arrive quickly. In the event of damage
possibly exceeding $500, it is important to file a report with the police. A
police report is extremely important to have on hand when you attempt to
recover money for damaged items, such as your bike and clothes. It is also
vitally important when collecting damages for physical injuries because such
injuries may not be readily visible. In fact, many injuries can take hours or
days to become evident.
The police are trained in documenting all of the important information
regarding an accident, so you should make sure to get the names and badge
numbers of the responding officers. This information will make it much easier
for your motorcycle injury lawyer to follow up with them if needed.
3. Exchange information
While you wait for the police to arrive, you should exchange your information
with all parties involved in the accident. The information you need includes
the following.
– first and last name
– address
– phone number
– driver’s license number
– insurance information
You should also take pictures of the accident as well as pictures of every
vehicle involved. It is also a good idea to take a picture of the license plate
of each vehicle. As a backup, you should write down the license plates as well
as the makes and models of all of the vehicles involved in the accident.
Finally, it is very important to keep this information as organized as possible
as it is very easy to get it mixed up if there are multiple parties involved.
Keeping this information organized will make the job of your motorcycle
personal injury attorney that much easier.
4. Say little
It is very common for all parties involved in an accident to automatically
apologize. In fact, apologizing for causing a problem is such a part of our
normal day-to-day behavior, but you might not be legally responsible.
Additionally, it is quite common for the exact cause of an accident to not be
readily apparent. Because accidents can be extremely upsetting, it is very
likely you will not remember all the details at first. It can actually take
several hours or even days for you to remember everything. Because of this, the
professionals at West Coast Trial Lawyers recommend that you limit what you say.
Additionally, many people are not aware that what they say at the scene of the
accident can ultimately end up causing them serious legal problems.
5. Take note
It can be difficult to take notice of the surrounding area immediately
following an accident. Your emotions are heightened, and if you have sustained
an injury, it can be that much harder to do. However, anything that you can
note about the following items can prove helpful in any future claim.
– speed limit
– road conditions
– weather
– location of accident
– lighting
It can also be helpful to record the nearest mile marker, either by writing it
down or taking a picture. This information will make it easier for you or your
motorcycle accident attorney to return at a later date to gather more
information about the scene.
6. Talk to others
Eyewitnesses can be very helpful throughout the claims process. If the
situation allows, you should try to interview all those that saw the accident.
You can write their statement down or better yet, if you have one, you can use
the audio recorder on your phone. Gathering as much information as you can
while it is fresh in people’s minds can be very helpful. Of course, you should
also obtain their contact information. This will make it much easier to contact
them later if you or your motorcycle accident attorney should need to.
7. Evidence
Because motorcycle accidents tend to involve more serious injuries, it is
important to collect as much evidence as possible to be able to prove your
case. Evidence includes getting the aforementioned items, such as eyewitness
reports, pictures, and police contact information.
Additionally, it is very important to keep your bike in the exact condition it
was in following the accident. Your bike is a crucial piece of evidence that
can be used to reconstruct the accident and ultimately prove your case.
Finally, however odd this may sound, you may want to take pictures of your own
injuries. Remember, anything you document may end up being a crucial component
to winning your case.
8. Inform your insurance company
Filing with your insurance company is just another way to document the crash
and can be very helpful on down the line. You should provide your insurance
company all of the information you gathered regarding the accident. However, do
not admit fault.
9. Address your injuries
In addition to the importance of your well-being, getting the proper medical
treatment helps you to prove the extent of your injuries and the resultant
damages. Unfortunately, insurance companies will use any gaps in receiving
medical treatment as a reason to deny coverage of injuries sustained in an
accident. Documented medical treatment helps to avoid this frustrating reality.
10. Consult a professional
Even though motorcycle accidents fall into the overall category of motor
vehicle accidents, as any competent lawyer will tell you, they are better
treated as its own area of practice. As such, once you have completed all of
the aforementioned items, it is time to seek a motorcycle personal injury
attorney at an experienced firm, such as West Coast Trial Lawyers. Obtaining a
motorcycle injury lawyer is of paramount importance because these lawyers
specialize in motorcycle accidents and the complexities that are inevitably
involved within each case.