Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be a traumatic experience. If you are injured or in shock, you may not think clearly and may fail to take the appropriate steps to prevent health complications—and protect your rights.
So what is the first thing you should do after a motorcycle crash?
First and Foremost, Seek Medical Attention
After a motorcycle accident, the first step should always be to call an ambulance and seek emergency medical care. This step is critical, even if you don’t experience pain or any other symptoms of an injury.
Some injuries, such as internal bleeding or organ damage, can take time before developing symptoms. If you wait too long before seeking medical care for these injuries, they can result in complications, such as blood loss and organ failure.
On a legal basis, if you fail to seek early medical care, the insurance company responsible for your claim payout might argue that the injuries were not severe enough to warrant compensation. In this case, the insurer’s settlement offer will be too low to cover your damages.
Additional Steps You Need to Take After an Accident
After calling an ambulance, you need to take additional steps to protect your legal interests, provided you have no severe injuries.
1. Ensure Your Safety
If your motorcycle is near moving traffic, take it off the road where it is not a hazard to other road users. However, if your bike doesn’t interfere with traffic, leave it where it is. You should also ensure that you are out of harm’s way, especially if the accident occurred on a highway.
If the accident happened after dark, switch your hazard lights on, set up flares, or place a reflective emergency triangle on the road, notifying other drivers that they should slow down.
2. Call the Police
Contact the police and notify them of the accident. The police will visit the scene and complete a police report, which you will need to file a claim with the insurance company. The investigative officer will give you a police report number to request the report.
If a paramedic or other healthcare provider hasn’t examined you, don’t tell the police that you have no injuries. Answer the investigative officer’s questions to the best of your ability, and don’t provide false information. You should also not speculate if you don’t know the answer to a question.
3. Take Pictures
Using your phone’s camera, take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and any vehicle damage. Pictures can be valuable evidence when pursuing an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit. When taking pictures, make sure that you are not interfering with the investigative officer’s duties.
4. Exchange Contact Information
Collect the contact information of all the people involved in the accident, including the other driver, their passengers, and all witnesses. You should also ask the other driver to see their insurance card. Don’t get involved in a roadside altercation with other parties.
5. Report the Accident to a Lawyer and Your Insurance Company
Contact a personal injury attorney who focuses on motorcycle accidents as soon as possible after the accident. A Law Tigers attorney can guide you through the process of filing an insurance claim with your insurance provider.
After procuring your attorney, you will need to notify your insurance company about the accident right away. If you pay for Medpay coverage, you will need to submit your medical bills for treatments relating to the accident.
Contact Us at Law Tigers, America’s Motorcycle Attorneys
Before providing your insurance companies with a statement, schedule a consultation with a reputable motorcycle accident law firm. At Law Tigers, we can provide you with a complete legal solution that includes advice and representation during the claims process, no matter where in the country you may live.
Our motorcycle accident injury attorneys will protect your rights and gather evidence to help you pursue compensation for your damages—including pain, emotional trauma, medical expenses, and loss of income. Contact us today at 1-888-863-7216 to schedule a consultation with a motorcycle lawyer near you.