All drivers, even motorcycle drivers, face some risks while on the road. One of the main risks is getting into an accident which could lead to serious injuries or loss of life. In the event that you get involved in an accident whilst riding your motorcycle, we’ve highlighted some of the key steps you should take.
Safety First
The first thing you should consider after an accident is your safety and the safety of other people on the road. Thus, if you can stand, do it and move away from the road. Check yourself and other parties involved in the accident for injuries. If you are badly hurt, don’t move, as this could make the injuries worse. Call the emergency services if there are injured parties.
Call the Police
After checking the injuries and safety of everyone involved in the accident, the next step is to call the police. The police will gather all evidence necessary for determining the cause of the accident and who is at fault. If the case goes to court, you can use the police report. You should therefore ensure you get the name and the badge number of the officer who records the incident. This will make it easy to retrieve the report if the need arises. Don’t be tense when the police officer asks you questions – that is part of their job in every accident report they make. Give them the correct information and don’t make anything up. If you don’t know an answer to a question, just tell them so.
Gather Information
Even though the police officer will record most details, you should collect your own information too. Start by taking photographs of the motorcycle, the car(s) involved, and the surroundings. You can take photos using your phone’s camera. After that, ask the witnesses for their contact information. And finally, exchange details with the other motorists involved in the accident. You should get their names, car models, plate numbers, contact info and insurance details.
Avoid discussing the accident with the other parties. Your communication should be limited to exchange of details. Don’t admit fault, pass blame on them, or start quarrels. This will only make the problem worse. Stay calm and wait for the police. The police are the only people you should give your statement to.
Seek Medical Help
Once the police have their report and you have gathered your evidence, get medical help. Don’t drive your motorcycle to the hospital if you are badly hurt or traumatized by the incident. Also, you should only drive the motorcycle if it is roadworthy. If the lights aren’t working or fuel is leaking, you shouldn’t drive it.
Even when you are not in so much pain, it is still important to seek medical help. This is because you could have suffered some internal injuries that are not evident immediately. Also, you can be injured and not feel it due to the shock of the accident.
Seeking medical help immediately can save your life. When getting help, make sure you tell your doctor that you were in a motorcycle accident. Another reason to get medical help immediately is because it is essential for the success of your claims. When you fail to go to the hospital soon after the accident, the insurance company that is supposed to compensate you can argue that the injuries were not serious or that they were from a different incident.
Go immediately and make sure your doctor documents everything.
Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Once you are out of danger, find a good motorcycle accident lawyer to assist you in filling claims. Dealing with insurance companies can be tough, and if your case is not strong enough, claims can be denied. Some cases are settled with the insurance companies, whereas in other cases you may have to go to court. An attorney will help you file the claim and present all the information necessary to get you the compensation you deserve.
Another benefit of working with an attorney is that they can help you come up with a proper estimate of the compensation amount. Without a good attorney, you risk settling for less than you deserve. Find someone with substantial experience who wins a lot of cases. An example can be seen through Arash Law who have served more than 3000 clients and have a 98% success rate, so they are definitely a name worth keeping in mind should you find yourself in an accident.
Give Insurance Companies the Correct Information
When you talk to your insurance company, give them the same information that you recorded with the police. Take extra care when talking to the insurance companies for the other parties involved in an accident. To be safe, talk to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney before communicating with any insurance company. Your attorney can handle the communications on your behalf to ensure you don’t say anything that could affect your claims.
As a motorcycle owner or rider, ensure that you are familiar with road safety tips for motorcycles. This will minimize your chances of getting into an accident.