In 2018, there were more than 12 million motorcycles in use across the US.
Motorcycles are less visible to other drivers, less stable, and more vulnerable to weather and road conditions than four-wheeled vehicles. All that to say that motorcycles can be dangerous and the potential for accidents is higher.
If you’re ever in an accident when riding a motorcycle, knowing what to do could save your life or someone else’s. Read on for these top tips on what to do after a motorcycle accident.
1. Check Everybody Involved
Motorcycle injuries can be severe. Before helping anybody else, thoroughly check yourself to make sure that you’re okay.
If you’re able to, you can move the motorcycle out of the line of traffic. Turn on hazard lights to indicate to traffic that you’re stopped. When you and the vehicle are safe, you can check to see if everybody else involved is okay.
2. Seek Medical Attention
If anybody needs first aid and you are able to provide it, go ahead and do so. But if you’re not qualified to administer first aid, then call the paramedics right away.
It’s especially important that you don’t move anybody who is unconscious or who is experiencing back or neck pain. Moving these individuals could make their injuries more severe.
Keep in mind that, even if you don’t notice any immediate injuries or pain, it’s not uncommon for motorcycle injuries to show up in the days following an accident.
3. Call the Police
Whether it was a big accident or a small one, call the police. In fact, some states require that the police are called after an accident, regardless of whether it was a major or minor collision.
The police will fill out an accident report, which is important documentation you’ll need if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim. If the police don’t come to the accident, then you should head to a collision center to report the accident yourself and obtain documentation.
4. Gather Information
Regardless of who was at fault, you’ll need the information of everybody else involved in the accident. When you’re recording their information, be sure to include their full name and their contact information. You’ll also want their driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance policy number and company, and the type and model of their vehicle.
After you’ve recorded that important information, you’ll want to talk to anybody who may have witnessed the accident. At this time, you can ask them for a brief description of what they saw. Then, be sure to record their full name and contact information in case you need to call on them.
The last piece of information you want to gather is photographic evidence. Take pictures of the accident that include the scene, the location, the damage to the motorcycle, and any other damage or injuries. These photographs will help your insurance company determine damage and may also serve as important evidence.
5. Talk to Your Insurance Company
You can call your insurance company at the scene so they can tell you any specific information you can gather there. But, if it’s not possible, then you should call them as soon as possible after the accident.
Be sure to be honest with your insurance company about the circumstances of the accident. It’s never a good idea to lie, especially considering that if they find out, they can deny you coverage (at the very least). Simply explain the facts and outline the extent of the damage and your injuries.
6. Document Everything
The first thing you’ll want to document is your thoughts around the accident itself. Do this as soon as possible, so the details of what happened are fresh in your mind. Recall items like weather and road conditions, what you were doing before the accidents happened, where you were going, and how exactly the accident occurred.
The second and most important piece of documentation you’ll need concerns your medical documents. If you receive medical treatment for motorcycle injuries, you need to keep documentation from any and all doctors and caregivers you receive treatment from. That includes information about medications, medical treatments, medical reports, and especially, medical bills.
7. An Attorney Who Knows What to do After a Motorcycle Accident
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident as the result of someone else’s negligence, then you’re entitled to compensation for your injuries. Compensation can help you pay for medical expenses, cover the costs associated with pain and suffering, and even replace lost wages.
But getting these benefits requires navigating what to do after a motorcycle accident with a great deal of experience – and that requires a lawyer. Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you will give you your best chance at getting the compensation you deserve.
A motorcycle accident lawyer has the experience required to navigate the complexities of insurance and personal injury law. They’ll help you build a strong case against the person who is liable for your motorcycle injuries and they’ll know exactly what evidence to collect and how to talk to witnesses.
A good motorcycle accident lawyer will also have a team of professionals at their disposal to help you build a strong personal injury claim. If you’re interested in pursuing a personal injury claim after your motorcycle accident, you can find out more here.
Get to Know the Law
Are you wondering what to do after a motorcycle accident? The first things you need to do are make sure that you’re okay, make sure everyone else is okay, and get help for anybody who isn’t.
After that, you should contact the police and gather evidence from the accident scene. When you get home, contact your insurance provider, start documenting the accident, and hire a motorcycle accident lawyer if you decide to pursue a claim.
Knowing the law can help you better navigate it. Learn more about the law under our General News section and arm yourself with knowledge.
