Can you believe that there are around 13 vehicle collisions throughout America every minute?
Even drivers who are as defensive as possible are at risk of a serious crash because nobody can control the actions of others around them. The unfortunate truth is that anyone who rides a motorcycle is at more risk than a person in a car since visibility is limited.
Have you ever wondered if a motorcycle accident lawyer is necessary after getting into a crash? From checking for injuries to calling a motorcycle injury attorney and everything in between, keep reading to learn every step you should take after an accident.
Assess Yourself for Injuries
The first thing that you need to do after you get into a motorcycle accident is to check yourself for injuries. Since motorcycle riders aren’t surrounded on all sides like someone in a car is, their risk of serious injuries is much higher. Many riders end up getting launched from their motorcycles and hit the ground hard.
The faster you were driving when the crash occurred, the more likely you are to break bones, experience road rash, and face other traumatic injuries that require emergency help. If you’re not sure if you should call an ambulance, it’s always better to be safe. This is even more important if you weren’t wearing a helmet or you can see signs of damage on the helmet.
Move to a Safer Place If Needed
If you’re able to stand up and move without hurting yourself more, then it may be safest to get to the side of the road. Crashes that occur on highways, winding roads, or at night put the drivers who are involved at risk of getting hit again by oncoming traffic. As long as every driver knows that you’re moving to the side of the road rather than abandoning the scene, it’s okay to get to a safer area.
During this time, you can also check on any other drivers who were involved in the crash to see if they’re injured as well. Even though motorcycles are the riskiest type of vehicle to drive, people in cars can face terrible injuries too if they don’t wear a seatbelt.
Swap Information with Other Drivers
Once you’re sure that everyone on the scene is safe, it’s time to start collecting information from the other drivers. The information that you should collect is their names, addresses, licenses, license plates, phone numbers, and car insurance providers. The easiest way to make a note of these details is by typing them into your phone since most people don’t have a pen and paper on hand nowadays.
Vehicle collisions are a traumatic event, and it’s understandable if you feel the need to express your emotions. However, you need to be mindful of what you say during this interaction. If you apologize out of politeness, even if the crash wasn’t your fault, your statements could be used against you.
Gather Evidence from the Scene
Auto insurance companies are notorious for being stingy when it comes to giving their customers the compensation they deserve. This is why it’s always best to collect as much evidence from the scene as possible. More information that can prove you weren’t at fault will make it harder to deny your claim.
One simple thing you can do is take photos of the crash. You may even want to take photos of yourself if you’re wearing reflective clothing to improve your visibility on the road. You also have the option to call the police and get a formal report written.
Contact Your Auto Insurance Provider
One of the most intimidating steps you have to take after a vehicle collision is contacting your auto insurance provider. You may want to put off this chore, but it’s crucial to call them right away so you don’t give them any reason to sabotage your claim.
During this conversation, try to be as detailed as possible while you recall the accident. This will increase your odds of getting the compensation that you need to cover medical bills and motorcycle repairs. If you’re worried about getting denied or shortchanged, then you may also want to start researching motorcycle crash lawyers.
Go to Your Doctor for a Checkup
A common mistake that people make is thinking that they don’t need medical care if they were well enough to leave the accident without an ambulance. Even if you were lucky enough to evade life-threatening injuries, it’s still wise to get a checkup so you can rule out minor injuries.
If the doctor notices anything wrong, then they’ll be able to prescribe the best treatment to get you back in top shape as soon as possible. If you only have minor scrapes and bruises, then at least you can go home with peace of mind that you’ll make a full recovery.
Consider Reaching Out to a Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
Every person’s worst fear after an auto accident is that they won’t be able to afford their repairs and medical bills. In a perfect world, auto insurance companies would give their customers all of the resources they need to heal from this traumatic event. You should never feel helpless, though, because a motorcycle crash lawyer can always help you.
There are so many benefits of hiring a motorcycle injury lawyer. They’ll advocate for you until you get the justice that you deserve. You won’t have to worry about finances when you have a great lawyer working for you.
Are You in Need of a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
From taking care of injuries to calling an accident attorney, there are lots of important steps you need to take after a motorcycle crash. After reading this guide, you’ll be able to stay calm if you ever get into an accident.
Titan Law Firm specializes in personal injury law so we can dedicate our time and expertise to this area of practice. We’re committed to assisting those who need help after an injury or motorcycle crash. Request a free consultation to determine whether we’re a good fit or give us a call today at 888.848.2656.