Motorcycle accident are frightening events that can leave you frustrated, confused, and injured. When you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, it can be difficult to focus in the immediate aftermath of the crash. However, there are a variety of things that you should do right after the accident to make sure that every detail is properly recorded. If someone else was at fault for the accident, the steps you take can be extremely valuable once it comes time to make an insurance claim or file a lawsuit.
What to Do Immediately Following a Motorcycle Accident
Contact the Cops Right Away
The first thing that you’ll want to do once you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident is to contact the police, which is particularly important if a substantial amount of damage was done to the vehicles or if anyone was injured. When the police officers arrive, make sure that you answer all of their questions truthfully. However, you should keep in mind that the immediate adrenaline rush that occurs following an accident can make it difficult to remember every detail of the accident. Don’t guess at anything. You may not remember certain details until several hours after the accident has occurred. If so, you can always contact the police to provide them with that information.
In the meantime, the information that you do provide at the scene of the accident will be put into a police report, which is a document that can be very helpful in the days and weeks after the accident. The police report is almost always taken into account by an insurance adjuster once a claim has been filed. This report will include all of the details that were provided to the officer by you and any other drivers. Other important information placed on these reports includes the date and location of the accident as well as the insurance provider of the other driver. Once you’ve spoken to any police officers, make sure that you obtain medical treatment if you’re injured.
Never Admit That You Were At Fault
Getting into an accident is oftentimes sudden, which means that you might not fully remember everything until well after the accident occurred. Depending on how the accident happened, you may even be incapable of knowing exactly what brought about the accident, which is where witnesses can be useful. Many individuals feel like they should apologize to the other driver even if they weren’t at fault. However, this can and will be used against you if you file a claim or lawsuit. In general, you should always be careful about what you say. Simply get the information from the other driver and wait until the police arrive.
Gather Any Information You Can
After you’ve removed your motorcycle from the road, you’ll want to gather and exchange information with other drivers who were involved. This information includes the names of the individuals involved, their insurance information, license numbers, addresses, and phone numbers. While most of this information will be included in a police report, access to these reports can sometimes be delayed.
Examine Your Surroundings and Take Extensive Notes
If your injuries aren’t extensive, make sure to look at your surroundings. If you can remember, take note of exactly where the accident happened as well as how it happened. Record information about road conditions, weather, speed limits, and lighting if possible. This information can be helpful if ever you need to make your case.
Talk to Any Witnesses
Witnesses can be the difference between a successful claim and an unsuccessful one. If your injuries are minor and don’t need to be treated immediately, try to speak to witnesses so that you can record their comments. Since memories fade quickly, getting this information immediately after an accident can pay dividends in a future case.
Keep Medical Bills and Documentation
Whether you need to visit a doctor or go to the hospital for your injuries, it’s essential that you keep all of the medical bills and documentation from your visits. These documents can be helpful when an estimation is being made about how much compensation you’re owed.
When to Contact a Lawyer
It’s highly recommended that you contact our motorcycle personal injury attorneyonce you’ve sought medical attention for the injuries that you incurred during the accident. Given how important it is to be organized when it comes to the details and documentation of your accident, having an attorney on hand early in the process will allow you to avoid making any costly mistakes that could adversely affect the settlement you receive. While some individuals wait to contact amotorcycle injury lawyeruntil after they’ve received a settlement offer from an insurance company, this can cause issues with how long it takes for you to receive a favorable settlement offer. If you retain our services before filing an insurance claim, we’ll be able to assist you in receiving an initial settlement offer that matches or exceeds your expectations.
There are times, however, when the insurance company in question won’t provide you with the compensation that you believe you’re owed. If it’s deemed by our motorcycle accident attorney that the offer is lower than you deserve, we may recommend that you file a lawsuit against the insurance company. While this isn’t always necessary, it’simportant that you don’t accept less than you deserve. Filing a lawsuit can help you obtain compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering related to the injury, and any wage losses that have occurred because of the injury. No matter the extent of your injury, you should always contact a motorcycle personal injury attorneysuch as ours so that you can be certain you’re making the right legal decisions.
Get in touch with our motorcycle accident attorney today to schedule a free consultation. Our motorcycle injury lawyer willhelp guide you through every facet of your case so that you obtain the compensation you’re owed.
Image Credits: Motorcycle Accident from Photographee.eu/Shutterstock