What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating. They are less protected than other vehicles, but they’re also lighter and harder to see. It’s important to know what to do after an accident to minimize injuries, prevent danger, and avoid legal trouble. 

Your medical needs should take precedence over everything else, and it’s important to address that first. Also, one of the safest things you can do is contact a Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorney to get direction, recommendations, and legal representation for your accident.  

Motorcycle accident law professionals recommend that you keep the following tips in mind as the injured motorcyclist or the family of the injured motorist dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident:

Safety First

Staying at the crash site can put you in the direct path of collisions with other drivers.  Many additional accidents happen due to rubbernecking and gawking at other accidents. Safely removing yourself from the crash scene can help prevent more accidents.  

Sometimes, trying to move the motorcycle can further your injuries. Moving your motorcycle after an accident could compromise the evidence. Your insurance provider and legal team will most likely use photos of the original crash scene to build their case or support your claim. 

Motorcycle accident law professionals suggest analyzing your surroundings and if possible, removing yourself from the roadway and out of traffic. If others are involved, and you’re able to offer support, help them get to safety. 

Call 911

Making sure that emergency services help at the motorcycle accident scene can help save lives and prevent further injuries.  The police can also come to the crash scene to take statements, draw diagrams, interview the other driver, interview witnesses, assess the property damage, obtain automobile insurance information, document the roadways and road conditions, and issue a citation to the at-fault driver.

If the injured motorcyclist needs medical attention, fire rescue can perform an evaluation and transport the motorcyclist to a local emergency room. If a motorcyclist feels any discomfort following their crash, they should seek medical care through a qualified medical provider in the community.

Gather Evidence At The Scene

Once it is safe to do so, take photos and videos of the scene, vehicles involved, and any visible damage to fixed objects. Photographs of tired skids and debris can also be useful for proving your claim. Photographs of applicable road signs, traffic signals, the drivers’ vantage points, and landmarks may prove useful. 

Photos and videos of your injuries suffered due to the motorcycle accident can help demonstrate the impact of the accident. Bruises, lacerations, and related injuries may fade or heal, and that’s why it is important to document these injuries as soon as it is practical to do so.

Do Not Give Statements to the Insurance Companies 

Personal injury law experts recommend refraining from giving statements to insurers after being prepared by an experienced attorney and in the presence of their attorney hired to handle the motorcycle accident case. Eventually, the motorcyclist will be required to provide a statement to their insurance company to cooperate per the policy terms. 

Avoid Social Media

Many individuals post on social media to keep family members and friends informed after an accident. However, consider that insurance companies commonly search through Facebook to see if there are any posts related to the crash. They can use these posts against motorcyclists in the future. Refrain from posting anything that may relate to the crash so it won’t affect the pursuit of your claim.

Seek Rehabilitative Services 

Emergency services are short-term and limited fixes for motorcycle injuries. Motorcycle accident professionals suggest follow-up care following an Emergency Room visit or hospitalization. Follow-up care involves regular medical checkups including a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging tests. Follow-up care checks for TBI and other health problems that may occur months or years after your motorcycle crash. 

Be Aware of the Statute of Limitations

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you are entitled to sue for damages when injuries or fatalities result. Depending on your state and the details of your accident, the injured party may have 6 months to 2 years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Speak with an experienced attorney in your community if you’re unsure about deadlines in your claim. 

Hire an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney 

The actions you take and statements you make after your accident can harm your accident claim. Having an attorney in place to help steer you through the obstacles that present themselves in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be useful.  Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys represent injury victims and provide useful guidance during your trying times. 

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