The events following a motorcycle accident can be disorienting. You may still be in shock, so it can be challenging to gather your thoughts. While it may be difficult, staying alert is critical. The steps you take after the incident can significantly affect your health and chances of recovering compensation.
The following section will discuss the appropriate steps to take immediately after a motorcycle accident.
1. Move to safety
Following a motorcycle accident, try to move to safety by getting out of traffic or the road. Keep your protective gear on until paramedics arrive. Adrenaline may kick in, leaving you unable to feel pain temporarily, but removing your protective gear may aggravate injuries you may not be aware of.
2. Seek immediate medical care
No matter how minor your injury may seem, seek medical care immediately. Even if you don’t feel any pain initially, it’s still crucial to get yourself examined by a medical professional. Some injuries may not manifest until later. As such, consulting with a doctor will help you identify possible delayed injuries like internal bleeding, organ damage, or spinal injury, among others.
In addition to being a safety precaution, getting immediate medical attention helps document your injuries for your insurance claim or any personal injury claim you may file later.
3. Contact the authorities
Calling 911 or reaching out to the police is essential regardless of whether the motorcycle accident resulted in an injury or not.
Having police on the scene will allow you to obtain vital documents like police and crash reports. These records usually contain information like the driver’s contact details and a narrative of how the accident transpired. You can use these documents to support your compensation claim with the insurance company or strengthen your personal injury case if you decide to pursue one.
4. Take photos of the scene
Accident photos can be compelling evidence you can use to prove the incident’s severity. When taking pictures, try to capture images of all vehicles involved, the road, weather conditions, and anything you consider essential to document.
Besides serving as evidence, the photos will supplement your memory and help you remember the accident details. A motorcycle accident can be a stressful experience, and studies show that stress affects a person’s ability to recall events accurately.
5. Exchange information with the driver
While at the accident scene, try to exchange information with the driver. In particular, write their contact and insurance details. If the driver doesn’t own the vehicle involved in the crash, ask to get the owner’s information.
It will help if you also write a description of the car, like the model year, color, and plate number. This information will accurately depict the vehicles involved when presented as evidence in court or a settlement.
6. Get the contact details of the witnesses
Another crucial step after a motorcycle accident is to obtain the witnesses’ contact details. Neutral witnesses with no stake in your claim can corroborate your side of the story.
Securing witnesses’ contact information may be difficult if you wait too long. After getting initial treatment for your injuries, get in touch with the witnesses as soon as possible. Ask them to make a written statement about what they saw during the motorcycle accident. Their narrative can help back up your insurance claim and personal injury case if you later choose to file one.
7. Talk to a personal injury attorney
Consulting a personal injury attorney can help you in many ways. For one, an experienced lawyer can investigate the accident on your behalf to identify liability. They can also give you advice and help you better understand your legal options. If the case goes to court, your motorcycle accident lawyer can guide you and serve as your representative.
Observing Caution Amidst a Collision
A motorcycle accident is a terrible experience for anybody to go through. However, knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident could give you better chances of securing compensation for your injuries.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident and need a personal injury attorney in California to work your case, reach out to us at RMD Law. Our team is composed of experienced lawyers ready for the tireless representation you deserve.
Contact us for a free case evaluation.
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