Did you know that eight percent of American homes have a motorcycle? Motorcyclists face a lot of challenges on the road. If you want to learn about what to do after a motorcycle accident, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over what you should do after an accident.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
Check to See if Everyone’s Okay
After the accident, you want to ensure that you and the other driver and passengers are okay. Make sure you call an ambulance if needed.
After everyone’s deemed safe, you’ll need to move on to legal aspects. This way, you can make sure you get compensated.
Make Sure You Call the Police Right Away
After an auto accident, you need to call the police. Most states require you to call if anyone got injured or if there was damage over 1000 dollars.
When you call the police, you can file a police report and fulfill your legal duties. Wait for the police to come before you take off any protective gear.
After an accident, some people feel a rush of adrenaline and aren’t aware of injuries. If you remove your gear, you could worsen the injuries.
Don’t Apologize
Emotions run high after an auto accident. Talk to the other people to make sure they’re okay, but don’t get into an argument with them.
Also, make sure you don’t apologize because doing so can imply you feel guilty.
You might think that you caused the accident. Yet, you could have missed something important during the accident.
Get Vehicle and Insurance Information
Most motorcycle accidents involve damages or injuries. If you don’t feel immediate pain, you should still get information from the other driver.
It’s not unusual for someone to feel fine but then later feel the onset of an injury. Make sure you get the information you need in order to file a personal injury claim.
Write down the vehicle, insurance, and personal information from the other driver.
Gather Evidence
You’ll want to gather and preserve evidence from the scene. In a motorcycle accident, there’s a higher chance of serious injury. You’ll need to prove your case, so you get compensation.
You should also speak to anyone else who provided help after the wreck.
Don’t get rid of the bike. Keep the bike in the same condition. This way, you’ll have evidence.
Make sure you take pictures of the other vehicle and the accident scene. Take photos of your injuries too.
Get Medical Treatment
After an accident, you’ll want to get medical treatment. To get better and seek a full recovery, you want to follow the doctor’s advice.
You’ll also need to seek medical treatment to prove your damages and injuries. Insurance companies use delays in medical treatment to challenge a person’s injury.
Get immediate medical treatment and any follow-up treatment.
Look for All Sources of Insurance
Many people don’t know all the sources of insurance that will apply in a motorcycle accident.
The vehicle you hit might have liability insurance. The at-fault driver may have different insurance policies too. Sometimes, the at-fault driver might have been in a company vehicle.
Don’t complete this step without the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Read more here and learn about why you should work with an attorney.
Talk to a Reputable Attorney
If you can’t speak to an attorney right away, remember not to admit fault. Don’t sign anything until you chat with someone.
Motorcyclists who don’t hire reputable attorneys might feel frustrated by their claim outcome.
Motorcycle accidents fall into the category of motor vehicle accidents. Yet, it should have its own practice area.
Some personal injury attorneys might handle lots of cases. Yet, they might not have experience with motorcycle accidents.
When you hire an attorney, ask them about their experience. Find someone who has successfully dealt with motorcycle accidents before.
After you chat with an attorney, you’ll talk about the evidence collected at the scene. This will help you determine who is at fault and what you might receive in damages.
What if You End up at the Hospital First?
Ask a family member to get in touch with a health insurance claims representative right away.
This way, you won’t get surprised with an expensive bill. You also won’t have the insurance carrier telling you they aren’t obligated to pay.
Talk to a hospital social worker. Find out if there are any benefits available for your situation.
What to Do When You Get Home
Once you settle in at home, you might get contacted by an adjuster from the other person’s insurance company.
Don’t answer their questions. The adjuster’s trained to take whatever you say and use it against you.
They’ll end up paying you less for your injuries. Don’t make repairs on your motorcycle until the damages get documented.
Every case will vary, and sometimes things will go well. You might walk away without serious injuries and don’t have to pay more than a couple hundred dollars.
Make sure you do keep a record of damages. If there are serious injuries or complications, talk to an attorney right away.
Now You Know What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
We hope this guide on what to do after a motorcycle accident was helpful. Now that you know what to expect reach out to a reputable attorney in your area.
You want to work with someone who has experience with motorcycle accidents.
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