What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident could be challenging. This is a traumatic experience that can leave you feeling disoriented and uncertain about your next steps. But taking the right actions following a motorcycle accident can help protect your health and strengthen your accident claim.
Ensure Your Safety and Check for Injuries
One of your priorities following a motorcycle accident is to assess your injuries and protect the safety of everyone involved.
Assess Yourself and Others for Injuries
Begin by checking for visible injuries, such as cuts, bruises, or fractures. If you or others are injured, try to remain still and wait for medical assistance to arrive. Doing this can help you avoid exacerbating any potential injuries.
Move to Safety (If Possible)
The next step is to move to a safe location if you can do so without risking further harm. It’s important to get yourself and your motorcycle out of traffic or any hazardous situation to prevent additional accidents or injuries. This could mean moving to the side of the road, a sidewalk, or some other secure area away from oncoming vehicles. Additionally, ensure you are visible to other drivers to avoid further collisions.
Call 911 for Medical Assistance
Even if injuries seem minor, it’s important to call 911 for medical assistance after an accident. Keep in mind that some injuries—such as internal bleeding or concussions—simply may not show immediate symptoms. However, they could be life-threatening if left untreated.
Contacting emergency services ensures that trained medical professionals are dispatched to the scene. They can provide immediate care and transport anyone who’s injured to the hospital if necessary.
When speaking with the 911 operator, provide clear and concise information about the location of the accident, the number of people involved, and any known injuries.
Call the Police and File an Accident Report
Contacting the police ensures that an official record of the accident is created. This document is indispensable for insurance claims and can be pivotal in establishing fault in legal disputes. Be clear and concise in your statements, sticking strictly to what happened.
Why You Need a Police Report
This report provides a detailed record of the accident scene, including statements from all parties involved, witness testimonies, and the officer’s observations and conclusions. It helps establish the facts of the case, which is crucial when determining fault and liability.
Additionally, a police report is often required for insurance purposes to process a motorcycle accident claim because it substantiates the details of the incident.
And in legal disputes, the report can serve as critical evidence in court, supporting your version of events. It can also act as an essential component in both legal proceedings and insurance claims.
Give a Factual Account to the Police
When interacting with law enforcement after a motorcycle accident, you’ll want to provide factual and detailed information. Stick to the facts about the incident, avoiding any assumptions or speculation. Clearly describe what you observed before, during, and after the accident.
Exchange Information With the Other Party
After ensuring everyone’s safety and contacting the necessary authorities, it’s important to exchange information with all parties involved in the accident.
Information to Collect at the Scene
Collect names, contact numbers, driver’s license numbers, vehicle license plate numbers, and insurance information. If possible, take photographs of their identification and insurance documents for accuracy. Make sure to provide your information as well and remain cooperative.
Gather Witness Information
Witnesses may provide an objective perspective on the events leading up to and following the accident, and this can be invaluable in establishing what happened. Ask witnesses for their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. This information can be particularly useful if there are discrepancies in accounts from the parties involved.
Document the Accident Scene
Thoroughly documenting the accident scene is essential for supporting your claim and any potential legal cases.
Take Photos and Videos of the Scene
Begin by taking clear photographs and videos of the entire scene, including the vehicles involved, road conditions, skid marks, and any debris. Capture different angles to provide a comprehensive view of the accident’s impact. It’s also a good idea to document any visible injuries you or others have sustained.
Document Road and Weather Conditions
Write down details of environmental factors that could have contributed to the accident, such as weather conditions, lighting, and traffic signals. This information will make it easier to reconstruct the events and determine liability.
Seek Medical Attention Even If You Feel Fine
Importance of Seeing a Doctor After an Accident
Always seek a medical evaluation after a motorcycle accident, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like nerve damage and traumatic brain injuries, can have serious long-term health problems. A medical professional can identify and document these injuries early, providing you with the necessary treatment. Your doctor’s appointment also creates a medical record, and this documentation serves as evidence of the injuries sustained in the accident, supporting your motorcycle accident insurance claim and potential legal actions.
Keep Records of All Medical Appointments
Maintaining detailed records of all medical appointments following a motorcycle accident is imperative for supporting your insurance claims and any legal actions. Start by keeping a log of all visits to healthcare providers, including dates, the names of doctors, and the treatments received. Collect and organize all related documentation, such as medical bills, prescriptions, and diagnostic test results.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Notifying your insurance company after a motorcycle begins the claims process. Contact them as soon as possible to report the incident, providing all necessary details such as the date, time, location, and circumstances of the accident.
Filing an Insurance Claim
Share all relevant documentation, including the police report, photographs of the scene, witness contacts, and any medical records or bills. This information helps your insurer to assess the claim accurately and expedites the process.
Understanding Your Insurance Coverage
Your policy coverage, including medical payments, liability, and damage to your motorcycle, will determine your potential compensation after an accident.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Motorcycle Accident
Avoiding certain types of mistakes after a motorcycle accident will help protect your legal rights and lead to a smoother claims process.
Admitting Fault or Apologizing
Avoid speculating on fault or the extent of injuries during your initial report. These matters are determined through evidence and thorough evaluation.
Failing to Document the Accident
If you don’t take accident scene photos, valuable evidence could be lost. Failure to collect witness information might damage your ability to prove what happened, and this could negatively affect your chances of receiving proper compensation.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Claim
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer provides sound guidance on your legal rights and responsibilities, ensuring you make informed decisions that will strengthen your claim. Your lawyer will handle communications with insurance companies, negotiate settlements, and advocate for your interests, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Call Our Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Help
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, choosing the right lawyer to represent you is an important decision that will influence the results of your case. It’s important to hire a professional who knows what they’re doing—but you’ll also want to find someone who makes you feel comfortable, has integrity, cares about your case, and knows how to listen. DK Law understands how challenging seeking legal guidance can be. But we can help. You won’t owe us anything unless we win you a settlement.
Firm founder Darius Khosravian is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who win multimillion-dollar settlements for their clients. He has also been selected among the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.
Call (281) 402-8856 to schedule a FREE consultation today with our Houston motorcycle accident attorney today.