Motorcycle accidents are overwhelming, and victims often face terrible tragedies, extensive property damage, and emotional scarring. When a motorcycle collides with another vehicle, the motorcyclists are highly vulnerable and often sustain life-changing or fatal injuries.
While many physical outcomes can result from a motorcycle crash, if a negligent motorist caused your injury, you should not have to cover your expenses on your own. Serious motorcycle crashes may lead to debilitating injuries and high vehicle repair costs on top of lost income or earning capacity if your injury prevents you from returning to work.
Nothing can reverse the damage you’ve sustained after a motorcycle accident, but that shouldn’t stop you from seeking a financial remedy from the at-fault party. Understanding the steps you should take after a motorcycle accident is crucial to protecting your right to compensation for your losses.
Let an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer help you navigate the complex claims process and safeguard your best interests throughout the process. The right lawyer’s mission is to protect crash victims in the aftermath of severe motorcycle accidents. Read on to discover tips for what you can do after a crash to ensure someone is guarding your rights.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Accidents happen when you least expect them, and in the aftermath of a motorcycle crash, you may have some serious questions. The shock after any accident is powerful and can make it difficult to realize whether you’ve sustained an injury right away.
Getting treatment for your injuries should be your priority, even if you feel fine after an accident. The sooner you speak with a motorcycle accident attorney, the better your chances of attaining the outcome you’re hoping for in your case.
Here are some steps you should follow to protect your right to compensation after a motorcycle accident:
Stay calm and get to safety: After a collision, your first instinct may be to panic or become enraged and aggressive toward the at-fault driver. Anything you do or say can directly affect the value of your settlement, so you should do your best to keep calm and refrain from admitting fault to anyone involved in the accident. Don’t attempt to move your motorcycle; instead, analyze your surroundings and safely remove yourself from the accident scene if you’re in the pathway of oncoming traffic. Check if anyone involved in the accident is hurt, and do your best to move them to safety.
Keep your protective gear on. Taking your helmet off after an accident can cause damage to your head, neck, or spinal column. It is not uncommon for the adrenaline you’re experiencing after an accident to mask the pain from serious injuries. Waiting for the paramedics to arrive is the best way to avoid causing further issues if you’ve suffered an injury. Until emergency services arrive, you should do your best to limit movement and find a place where you can rest in a neutral position if you suspect you’ve sustained an injury.
Call the police: As soon as you get to safety, call 911 and report the accident. If the crash is severe, the police and paramedics may arrive at the accident scene. An investigating officer can take pictures for accident reports, collect measurements, and record driver’s statements. Requesting a copy of the police accident report is essential and will serve as a critical piece of evidence in your case. Be honest and upfront with the investigating officer about what happened without going into detail and refrain from admitting fault to the police officer or anyone involved in the crash.
Seek a medical evaluation: Motorcycle accidents are almost always severe and lead to traumatic injuries, damages, and consequences. Even if you feel fine, it is essential to safeguard your health by seeking the advice of a medical professional. Some injuries like whiplash or internal injuries may have delayed symptoms, but failing to treat them before it’s too late can lead to devastating consequences. It is essential to keep copies of all your medical records. These records will show how severe your injuries are and help your lawyer build a case on your behalf that demonstrates how your injuries have affected your everyday life.
If you plan to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, having access to copies of medical records and bills related to healthcare expenses is crucial. Keeping an emergency contact information card with you is an excellent idea if you’re involved in an accident where you become unconscious. You can place this card behind your ID, and on this card, you can write down important medical and personal information.
Collect evidence: Gather evidence of the accident as soon as possible after the crash. Take pictures of your motorcycle and any other vehicles involved in the collision. You may also want to take photos of the roadway, your injuries, and any other relevant factors, such as a hidden stop sign or an obstacle in the road.
The insurance company will consider all pertinent information you collect, as will your motorcycle accident attorney. Consider writing notes about the details of the accident to avoid forgetting any critical information about the crash. If any nearby vehicles caught the accident on camera or if you’ve installed a camera system that documents your ride, this form of video evidence can benefit your case tremendously.
Exchange and gather information: After taking photos of the crash site and any involved vehicles, exchange driver’s license and insurance information with the drivers of all vehicles involved. You can use your phone to take photos of the other driver’s license and insurance paperwork. If anyone witnessed the crash, ask for their name, phone number, and home address.
Contact your insurance company: No matter who was responsible for the accident, you should call your insurance company and report the crash. If the other party’s insurance company requests a statement, you should politely decline and refrain from giving over any information to be used against you in the claims process.
Get in touch with a motorcycle accident lawyer: Gather a folder with accident-related evidence and information. Include photos, copies of your medical records, a copy of the police report, and any information you’ve gathered from the other drivers involved. The sooner you speak with a qualified motorcycle accident attorney, the better your chances of a successful outcome in your case.
Insurance companies routinely offer victims settlements for less than they deserve or need to recover from their losses. Your motorcycle accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and help you avoid accepting a low-ball settlement offer.
Although the steps you should take after a motorcycle accident may seem obvious, adhering to this checklist can make all the difference in the success of your case. No one wants to be involved in an accident, but understanding what to do after a motorcycle crash can help you prevent further danger, minimize injury, and avoid legal troubles.
Always Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Speaking with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in the moments and days after a collision is essential and can help you obtain a successful settlement award. Experienced lawyers can file a claim on your behalf and will deal with tricky insurance adjusters so you can focus on getting the treatment you need to recover.
Don’t wait to schedule an initial consultation with an attorney. A lawyer will review your case and help you understand your rights as a motorcycle accident victim. They allow you to focus on recovery while they move your legal case forward.
Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
One of the first steps toward obtaining financial compensation in motorcycle accident cases is determining the at-fault party and identifying other factors that may have led to the crash. Once your motorcycle accident lawyer gathers evidence against the negligent driver, they will be responsible for covering the cost of your losses. You can hold one or more parties accountable in your motorcycle accident case.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle collisions include:
- Distracted or inexperienced drivers
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Poor weather conditions
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Lane splitting
- Roadway defects
- Defective vehicle part or design
When the point of impact is the front of the motorcycle, it often leads to devastating and fatal consequences for the motorcyclist. Costs in these accidents tend to be high, incur significant property damage, expensive medical bills, and debilitating physical and emotional pain. Experiencing anxiety after a motorcycle crash isn’t uncommon, and you may be wondering if you’ll ever ride again if you’ve sustained severe injuries.
A knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer can help you identify which factors in your case led to the accident and who was at fault. Making this determination is complex and requires the assistance of an experienced attorney. Contact an injury law office to schedule an initial consultation with one of our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers, who will review your case and answer any of your questions.
What Are Some Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Motorcyclists face risks every time they set out on the road. They do not have the same protections as drivers in passenger vehicles, so motorists often sustain a wider range of catastrophic injuries. Motorcyclists’ most common injuries are to their lower extremities, but injuries resulting from these accidents may also affect the chest area and the head. One of the leading factors in motorcycle accidents that lead to severe injuries is speed.
Some of the most common injuries motorcyclists suffer include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken ribs
- Lower extremity injuries
- Lacerations
- Road rash
- Organ damage
- Facial disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Amputated limbs
- Scarring
- Skull fractures
If you or a loved one was in a motorcycle accident due to no fault of your own, you may recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Let our experienced team of motorcycle accident attorneys evaluate the details of your case and help you understand your legal options.
Types of Compensation Available in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcycle accidents often lead to serious, painful injuries that require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and time for recovery. If a motorcycle accident injured you and you cannot return to work, you cannot cover your everyday expenses and keep up with mounting medical expenses. Depending on the specific factors in your case, you may recover several types of damages after a motorcycle accident.
Some types of damages available after a motorcycle accident include:
- Medical expenses (including future costs)
- Loss of income
- Costs related to disability
- Motorcycle repair or replacement costs
- Loss of consortium
- Lost quality of life
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Costs related to disability or permanent injury
- Legal fees
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the accident
- Punitive damages
A monetary award won’t turn back the hands of time, but it can go a long way in supporting you financially through this difficult time. Victims of motorcycle crashes often cannot participate in activities they enjoyed before the injury.
Not only should you seek financial recovery for physical injuries, but you are also entitled to receive compensation for the emotional challenges you’ve faced in the aftermath of a severe motor vehicle crash. Motorcycle crashes that involve more severe injuries and damages are often worth more than minor injury claims.
The jury will determine an award amount by evaluating the severity of the accident and its impact on the victim’s life. The insurance company is responsible for assessing your medical bills and other damages to assess the value of your claim.
By hiring an experienced motorcycle accident attorney, you can rest assured that they will safeguard your best interests throughout the entire claims process. If you or a loved one received severe injuries in a motorcycle crash, maximize your chances of receiving a fair settlement award by consulting with a motorcycle crash accident attorney.