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What Should I Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accidents happen nearly every day on Florida roads. Motorcycle fatalities have increased by 3 percent over the past five years, and about 550 people lost their lives in motorcycle crashes each year from 2016 to 2021.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include reckless driving, speeding, bad weather, and fatigue. Regardless of the cause of your accident, you’re wondering what to do next.
Below, learn what to do after a crash from a motorcycle accident attorney.
Help Others at the Accident Scene
If you can, check on everyone involved in the accident and ensure they’re okay. If someone cannot move on their own, call an ambulance, and don’t try to move them yourself. Certain injuries can be made worse by moving by a layperson, such as brain or spinal cord injuries.
You should also help others move their vehicles out of the road if possible. Other drivers may hit vehicles left on the road, causing more injuries.
Ask Involved Drivers for Insurance Details
Your first instinct after an accident may be to charge up to the negligent driver and demand they take responsibility for your injuries. Instead, try to remain calm and respectful. The last thing you want to do is escalate the situation when tensions are already running high.
Ask the driver for this information:
- Name and contact details
- Insurance policy information
- Driver’s license
- Vehicle registration number
Talk to Witnesses
There’s a good chance at least one person saw your accident, especially if it happened on one of our busy city streets. For instance, perhaps a business owner saw the accident unfold from inside their shop. Or maybe a cyclist riding by would be willing to talk.
Canvas the scene for witnesses and ask them what they saw. If they’re willing to provide their contact details, write them down. Your motorcycle accident attorney may want to talk to them later.
Collect Evidence
After a motorcycle crash, you may not be thinking of playing detective, but all good personal injury attorneys will tell you this is an important step you mustn’t skip.
Here’s where your phone’s camera can come in handy. Take pictures of anything that catches your attention at the scene, including your motorcycle, the other driver’s vehicle, road conditions, tire skid marks, and broken glass. Are there any road signs obstructed by tree branches or construction equipment? Take photos of them, too.
You should also preserve your bike as-is. Don’t have it repaired until after your case is over, and don’t throw it out even if it’s totaled. Your ride could serve as important evidence.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, should you bother seeing a doctor after your crash? The answer is yes. You could be much more hurt than you initially thought. Certain head and back injuries don’t become apparent until days or weeks after a wreck.
This step is also vital if you plan to seek damages generated during the accident. If you fail to see a doctor, the other driver’s insurance company could say you weren’t badly hurt and lower your settlement accordingly.
Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you’ve suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, contacting an attorney is a smart move. Your lawyer can assign a value to your damages, talk to the insurance company for you, and represent you in a trial.
At Leaser Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys have resolved many motorcycle accident claims for Miami-area residents. We offer free consultations.
To speak with a motorcycle accident attorney, call Leaser Law Firm at (954) 233-3515.