7 Steps to Take Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident

Did you know that the number of annual motorcycle injuries has increased to 6335 over the last 10 years?

Motorcycles offer less protection than cars, so motorcycle accidents often result in more serious injuries. In addition to that, they also leave you with high medical bills and a thousand insurance issues. 

Knowing the legal steps immediately after a crash can help you through this ordeal. This can significantly affect your ability to recover damages and protect your rights.

So, what to do after a motorcycle accident?

Hi. In today’s blog, that’s exactly what I will be talking about. If that’s something that you want to know, then you have come to the right place. Therefore, keep on reading till the end and thank me later… 

What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident?

It has been stated that motorcycle accidents are fast and have very little evidence of happening. There is no doubt that this has resulted in a situation where the entire affair is extremely unpleasant to all the parties involved.

Because of such a situation, it might be quite difficult for you to decide what to do after a motorcycle accident, especially if you have some wounds and are in a condition of shock due to the trauma.

If you are someone who rides a bike all the time or has recently had an accident, you most likely would be able to recognize these steps.

Here are some of the things that you can do after a motorcycle accident:

1. Seek Medical Attention

The first thing you need to do is to make sure that you are not in danger. If you are conscious and can move safely, relocate to a place that is free from traffic.

Give a call to 911 or have the people around you call an ambulance for you without delay. This is particularly important, even if there are no visible signs of injury. You may have a concussion, or the bleeding inside may not be visible.

Check that your hurt parts are being registered as you get the medical treatment. Get a copy of the emergency room records, doctor’s note, and the treatment prescribed.

You should also be careful to have the list of all the times you are going to be treated and the medicines you are going to receive.

These will be used as evidence when you make your claim later on. Hence, this step will not only take care of your health but also ensure that your legal rights are safe.

2. Report The Accident To The Authorities

The very next thing you need to do is to contact the police. A policeman’s quick judgment of the situation is very important, as it becomes a crucial piece of evidence later on.

Some of the ways the officers will carry out their investigation are:

• Exploring the place of the accident.
• Interviewing the parties involved.
• Submitting a written report.

They will also decide who caused the accident and if it was the road conditions or another driver. Apart from that, they will also check car damage.

Therefore, the testimony of a police officer is highly significant in establishing the truth of the case.

Hence, you should definitely not leave the place without first getting the officer’s name and badge number.

If the situation is minor and there is no need for the police, still report at the nearest police station to update them and be on the safe side.

3. Document Everything

Gathering evidence is the most significant step in proving your innocence and protecting your rights. If you are physically able, you must take pictures and videos of the following: 

• Injuries 
• Motorcycle damage 
• Other involved vehicles 
• License plates 
• Road signs 
• Skid marks
• Weather conditions 
• Nearby traffic cameras

Collect the names and contact details of any witnesses. Note the time, location, and details of the crash. Ask a trusted bystander if you are unable to do this.

Document everything, keeping the records thorough. Details might fade from your memory, which is something insurance companies can later prey on, so be sure to write down everything.

4. Notify Your Insurance Company

Next comes the insurance company! They usually require you to notify them after a crash, even if it wasn’t your fault.

However, you must remember that insurers are trained to minimize payouts, so they might use your words against you later. The most effective way to counter this is to keep your conversation concise.

Here is the basic information you should provide:

• Time and date: This information is very important for matching the reports of police, doctors, and witnesses.
• Exact location: Provide details of street names, GPS coordinates, and intersections.
• Brief description of what happened: Recount the accident in a neutral and factual manner.
• Medical treatment: Inform the insurer if you have gotten medical attention.
• Weather and road conditions: They can affect the question of liability and be a reason that you mention in your statement, such as low visibility or slippery roads.

In case you want to be more detailed, give the make, model, and license plate of the other car. You can also send over the witnesses’ contact information and any photos or videos you took. 

Here are some things you should avoid:

• Mentioning previous medical conditions: Insurers may argue that your injuries were pre-existing.
• Speculating: Guessing details by saying things like, ”I think they ran a red light” can hurt your case’s credibility.
• Saying you’re sorry: Insurers might misinterpret your polite apology as responsibility for the accident.

Keep records of all conversations with your insurer and ensure you get all their promises in writing. Avoid going into unnecessary details, and don’t take any quick settlement offers.

The at-fault driver’s insurance company might also contact you, but you must not engage without consulting your attorney (see below).

5. Consult An Attorney

Meeting up with a motorcycle accident lawyer is one way of getting legal advice that can simplify your insurance claims and other problems that you can easily associate with a mishap.

A lawyer will facilitate your claim and thus enable you to get the highest amount of compensation.

They will:

• Communicate with insurers: The lawyer will handle all communication and prevent you from saying something to weaken your claim.
• Prevent lowball settlement offers: Your attorney will know your claim’s real value and push back against insurance companies offering less than it.
• Prove liability and counter bias: They can fight stereotypes and demonstrate the other party’s fault. 
• Calculate full damage: They will ensure your claim includes medical bills, lost income, and long-term care.

Timing matters a great deal here. The sooner you get a lawyer, the more evidence they can gather to build a case. A good attorney will protect your rights and help you secure a good settlement offer.

6. Preserve Evidence

As I have already mentioned above, it is crucial to keep all documents and evidence related to your injury and recovery.

Keep the following records handy:

• Medical records.
• Treatment plans.
• Medication receipts.
• Repair estimates.
• Proof of missed work.

Additionally, you can also try to maintain a journal tracking your:

• Pain levels.
• Physical limitations.
• Emotional distress. 

Make sure you document how the injury affects your daily life, including both economic and non-economic damages. Keep everything organized in one place, such as a digital folder or a notebook.

7. File A Personal Injury Claim

Every state sets a particular legal time limit within which a personal injury claim must be submitted.

You need to get to know the statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents in your state. Submit your claim within this timeframe.

Your lawyer is definitely someone who can help you in this; they will figure out the date of your state and act as your guide in all the forms that you have to complete and sign on time.

Waiting too long for this can mean that you lose access to evidence that is very time-sensitive, like surveillance videos.

Therefore, it is best to act immediately (read: now) and increase the probability of a fast and successful claim.

Should You Hire A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

“Now that I know what to do after a motorcycle accident, I don’t think I need a lawyer!”

Well, this is a common mistake that most crash victims make. When you hire a lawyer after a motorcycle accident, you ensure that your rights are safeguarded and that your compensation is increased to the fullest.

Let me give you the reasons why you MUST hire a lawyer!

You see, every state has different motorcycle accident regulations, and they are quite complicated. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist you in understanding the laws and going through the procedures.

Moreover, they can represent you in your insurance claims negotiation. Insurance adjusters seek to reduce the highest possible amount of the payment while caring the least for your benefit.

A lawyer on your side can reach a compromise and make a fight against the insurance companies fair.

If you want to prove the liability of wrongdoers, it can be hard, especially when the other party insists they are not at fault.

The lawyer, on the other hand, can make investigations, follow the accident’s reconstruction, and figure out the responsible parties.

Read Also:

• Proving Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident Case
• How to Talk to A Personal Injury Lawyer After An Accident?
• What Compensation Can You Claim After a Truck Accident?