Various factors can lead you into a motorcycle accident. You may be going over the speed limit, the car in front of you was driving recklessly, or a third party was at fault. Anything can result in a road accident but what you do after that is the most important. Most people have no idea what to do after an accident, especially if someone is to blame and insurance matters get involved. When involved in any motorcycle incident, you must keep a few essential pointers such as the following for damage control and minimal injury.
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1. Move to safety and call the police:
Before anything else, the first thing you should do is get yourself and others around you to safety. You can assess the situation when you are a safe distance away from the collision. Since other cars may hit you in a blind area, or the vehicles involved may catch fire. Remove yourself from the roadway and assess your injuries. Look around to see if you can help other victims and remove them from the road as well. Call for an ambulance if anyone is seriously injured and after that, call the nearby police department. You should call the police as soon as possible to tell your side of the story if the other party caused the accident. Also, do not attempt to move away from your bike or any other crucial item for the investigation.
2. Swap information with the parties involved:
Swapping information, especially insurance information, with the parties involved is very important. Suppose you want to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer, or the other party wants to go with future legal proceedings. In that case, you must know with whom and what you are dealing. The other person may be at fault, and they might become reluctant to share that information. Still, you need to be persistent and take down their registration number if they refuse to give any information. It would help if you did not immediately admit responsibility until all the facts are on the table and you’ve talked to witnesses. You should wait for the official investigation and contact a reasonable attorney before doing anything on impulse. Do not give in to emotional shock and try to wait out the situation.
3. Seek medical attention and gather evidence:
No matter how minor your injury is, it is always safe to seek medical treatment after a motorcycle. Once you are safe, assess the injuries, call for help, record all the symptoms, and get treated. You must report your injuries in detail to the police, EMTs, or any other authority present at the scene. Keep in mind that many injuries which seem insignificant at the moment can later become delayed injuries that can cause severe damage to your body in the long run. After seeking medical attention, start gathering evidence.
If you are sensing that the other party may turn the tables and blame you, you must take your pictures of the scene, ask witnesses, write notes, and obtain your copy of the police report. You need to ask for the medical report and swap insurance information and contact information of all the people involved. Another thing that you must look out for is the preservation of the evidence. Do not get rid of or change the things present at the scene, such as your bike or any item that may prove the other party’s fault.
4. Hire a motorcycle accident attorney:
Even though it is not your fault, circumstances may not turn out to be in your favor. Often the blame is on motorcyclists or that the car driver may take advantage of a statement you made earlier. Therefore, the sooner you hire a personal injury or motorcycle accident lawyer, the better. Lack of legal support can hurt your chances of compensation, and you may end up paying a hefty amount in an insurance settlement.
Your attorney will ensure that the evidence is preserved and not used against you. You don’t make any reckless statements that may benefit the other party. Your lawyer will communicate with the insurance company and advise you on how to continue with your claim. Legal guidance is significant in motor accidents. Things can easily go sideways if you don’t have someone experienced by your side. Even if hiring an attorney is your last resort, you should do it for favorable results.
5. Call the insurance company:
Suppose you are not thinking about hiring a lawyer for the time being. In that case, you should contact your insurance company the first chance you get. As soon as you have tended to your injuries, you should call the insurance company to make a claim. Provide all the information and evidence you have collected. Do not immediately admit the fault without consulting an attorney or until a full-scale investigation. Since insurance companies pay out money to compensate for vehicle damage and medical bills, it isn’t easy to deal with them. You can’t simply call them up and claim as they will try their best to make your claim ineligible to avoid a payout. That is why you need to act smart when dealing with an insurance claim and hire a lawyer to deal with them and get your compensation.
Conclusion:
Accidents can happen to anyone, but the most crucial part is what you do afterward. After being involved in a motorcycle accident, the steps you take are essential to any future legal proceedings and possible monetary compensation. Therefore, ensure that you have collected all the critical pieces of evidence, eyewitnesses, information, and documentation that can help you make an authentic claim. Also, you should hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. They can provide you legal support, ensure that you get paid the deserved amount, and deal with the complications of an insurance claim.
