What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents can be extremely stressful and traumatic events. They occur quickly and unexpectedly, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed immediately following the crash. Unfortunately, this is a moment when you need to be able to think clearly and act decisively. Taking the proper steps after a motorcycle accident is critical to ensure your rights are protected in the event that you file a motorcycle accident lawsuit to recover compensation for your damages.
Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident can help ensure you act properly during this important moment. If you’ve recently been involved in an accident, some of the advice below may not apply once you’ve left the scene, but other points will still be important as you seek treatment for injuries and build a case against the negligent driver. If you haven’t been involved in an accident recently, this guide will provide important information to file away in your mind in case you get into a crash in the future.
Steps to Take Immediately Following a Motorcycle Accident
The first steps to take always involve prioritizing the safety of everyone involved in the motorcycle accident. Due to the lack of protection afforded by motorcycles, injuries are often catastrophic in nature. Taking precautions to ensure these injuries are dealt with properly is critical right after a crash.
Move to a Safe Location
If you’re able to do so, move your motorcycle to a safe location on the side of the road. If there’s a full shoulder, this should be your desired location. If the other vehicle isn’t moving to the side of the road, you should also remind the driver to do so. Keep in mind that if anyone appears to be seriously injured, they shouldn’t be moved until a medical professional arrives at the scene.
Check for Injuries
Once all vehicles have been moved away from traffic, check to see if anyone has been seriously injured. If someone appears to be badly hurt, call 911 to request emergency medical assistance right away. As stated above, don’t move anyone who appears seriously injured, as this can make their condition worse. Instead, wait for the medical professionals to determine the best course of action.
Additional Steps to Take While at the Accident Scene
There are still a few pressing items to address at the accident scene after assessing everyone involved for injuries and securing any necessary medical assistance. If you’re lucky, there will only be property damage to your motorcycle and the other driver’s vehicle. However, it’s important to understand that motorcycle accident injuries often take several days, or even weeks, before symptoms manifest. Even if you don’t appear to be injured at the moment, it’s still possible that an injury will present itself that may cause you to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. The following steps will help protect your rights and ensure you’re able to recover the compensation you deserve for any injuries and property damage suffered during the motorcycle accident.
When talking to the other drivers, police officers and anyone else at the scene regarding the accident, it’s important that you never make any statements that may be interpreted as an admission of fault. Admitting fault can potentially have a negative impact on your ability to recover the compensation you deserve. Instead, stick to factual details associated with the accident during these conversations.
Exchange Information with Other Drivers
Make sure to exchange the following information with any other drivers involved in the accident:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle make, model, license plate number
- Insurance information
Document the Accident Scene
Document as much evidence as possible while you’re still at the accident scene. This should include taking photos and videos of:
- The damage to all vehicles
- The positioning of vehicles, if you don’t have to move them from traffic
- Any indicators on the road, such as skid marks, that may provide insight into the cause of the accident
- Traffic signs near the accident
- Any visible injuries you’ve sustained
You should also jot down some notes about the details of the accident while they’re still fresh in your mind. Be as specific as possible since these notes can play an important role in helping to document the cause of the accident for a potential lawsuit.
If there are any witnesses at the scene, make sure to record their names and contact information as well.
Contact the Police
You should contact the police and request that an officer be dispatched to the accident scene to fill out a police report. This report will represent a crucial piece of evidence in the event that you need to file a motorcycle accident claim. Police reports will contain the officer’s assessment of what happened, and in some instances, who was at fault. In addition, if the other driver was charged with a DUI or received a citation for speeding, reckless driving, or any other moving violation, it can significantly strengthen your case.
Always answer the police officer’s questions as honestly as possible, but never admit fault, even if you believe your actions partially caused the accident.
Steps to Take After Leaving the Accident Scene
Once you leave the accident scene, there are several other important steps to take to ensure you adhere to all required protocols and protect your right to compensation.
Seek Medical Attention
It’s important to get examined by your doctor even if you don’t appear to be injured. As discussed above, motorcycle accident injuries often take time before symptoms develop. This is especially true if you suffer internal bleeding or a traumatic brain injury. Seeking medical attention as soon as possible after the accident will ensure any potential injuries are diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. Prompt treatment is often critical to prevent more serious issues from developing.
In addition, visiting a doctor right away will help protect your ability to maximize the value of your compensation in several ways:
- It will document all injuries associated with the accident – If you develop symptoms for a motorcycle accident injury several weeks later, the other driver’s insurance company may try to claim it was caused by a different incident. Having your injuries diagnosed right away will help you prove they were caused by the motorcycle accident.
- It will reduce your liability for the severity of your injuries – If you delay treatment and it results in a more serious injury, the other driver’s insurance company may claim that your failure to seek prompt medical attention contributed to the severity of your injuries. This can potentially reduce your compensation by the percentage of fault attributed to your failure to seek treatment.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You’re legally required to contact your insurance company and inform them of the motorcycle accident in a timely manner. Failure to do so may potentially impact the benefits to which you’re entitled. It’s best to avoid providing an official statement regarding the accident without talking to a lawyer first. Instead, simply inform them that you’ve been involved in an accident to get the claims process started.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you only suffered property damage to your bike, you most likely won’t need the assistance of a lawyer. In these situations, you can usually settle your claim directly with your insurance company. But if you’ve suffered an injury – even a minor one – you should contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney shortly after your accident.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to help you determine whether you have a valid case and if so, the best strategy to pursue to recover the compensation you deserve. In addition, your attorney will be able to help you properly estimate all current and future medical bills associated with the accident to ensure your compensation reflects the total extent of your damages. Your motorcycle accident attorney will also handle all negotiations with your insurance company to ensure your rights are protected and you maximize the value of your compensation.
Time is of the essence. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner your attorney will be able to begin investigating your motorcycle accident. Over time, evidence may be misplaced, and witnesses may forget important details of the accident. By contacting an attorney right away, you can ensure this investigation is conducted while all the evidence is still fresh.
Keep Track of All Records Associated with the Accident
Throughout the duration of your motorcycle accident case, you should maintain detailed records of any economic damages you’ve suffered. This may include:
- Medical bills
- Assistive equipment required at your home, if necessary
- All rehabilitation costs, including physical therapy
- Repair bills for your motorcycle
- Lost wages
Pushchak Law Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. At Pushchak Law, we’ve made motorcycle accident cases a primary focus of our practice, and we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
When you work with Brian Pushchak, you’ll benefit from the extensive expertise of a motorcycle accident specialist. Mr. Pushchak understands the complex laws associated with these cases and he knows how to accurately assess the value of your damages. This specialization will give you the edge you need when seeking to maximize the value of your compensation.
In addition, you’ll benefit from Mr. Pushchak’s unique Informed Decisions™ Approach focused on helping you achieve the best possible outcome to your case. This exclusive approach keeps you in the driver’s seat and ensures your best interests are prioritized every step of the way. Mr. Pushchak will discuss your case with you in detail to understand your desired outcome. You’ll have an opportunity to ask as many questions as you’d like to make sure you understand your options. While Mr. Pushchak will recommend the best strategy to achieve your desired outcome, the final decision on how your case is handled will always be yours.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Pushchak Law serves clients in Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
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