Motorcycle accidents can cause devastating injuries. But by prioritizing safety, gathering evidence, seeking medical attention, and more, you can help yourself in your legal case. The most important thing to do is immediately get medical help for your injuries. Adrenaline may hide symptoms even if you don’t think you are seriously injured.
Gather Information
It’s vital to call emergency personnel and a motorbike crash lawyer to let them take care of any injuries at the scene and the investigation. Those responding will create a police report, the first official details about your crash. It will include information about how the accident may have happened, including witness statements and other evidence. Obtain any witnesses’ names, phone numbers, and addresses. Ask them to describe what they saw, such as sun position, field of vision obstructions, roadway skid marks, and each driver’s behavior. Document your medical treatments as well, from doctor’s notes to X-rays. Those records will be vital for insurance claims and legal purposes later. You should also keep copies of any expenses you may have for physical or mental therapy throughout your recovery.
Get Medical Attention
Making sure that everyone at the scene of a motorcycle accident receives medical attention is one of the most crucial things to do immediately. Collecting information and evidence at the crash site while still fresh is also vital. Many motorcyclists believe they are okay after a collision, but it is always wise to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Adrenaline might mask the pain and symptoms of specific injuries, such as a broken rib or internal bleeding.
After getting medical attention, exchange contact and insurance information with the other party involved in the crash. Also, ask for statements from witnesses, as their testimony can prove very helpful in future legal proceedings. It’s true if the other driver is found at fault for the accident.
Contact the Police
After ensuring your injuries are not life-threatening, the next step is contacting the police. It puts law enforcement officials on the scene and creates an official police report essential for insurance claims and legal proceedings. It is necessary to get the name, badge number, and insurance information of the officer who responds to the scene. You should also request any other witnesses’ names and license plate numbers. Witness statements can back up photographic documentation and will be invaluable when assessing the accident’s full extent. It would help if you also took pictures of the crash site and vehicle damage. Evidence like roadway skidmarks, sun position, field of vision obstructions, and other elements can help strengthen your claim when filing an insurance claim or seeking damages in a lawsuit.
Contact a Lawyer
While it is natural to be emotional and panicked after a motorcycle accident, you should focus on making sure that you are in a safe place away from traffic and getting medical attention. If you are well enough to do so, get information about the other driver(s), including names and insurance information. If there are eyewitnesses, ask for their contact information and if they are willing to state the accident. Their statements can play a critical role in any future compensation claims. Finally, working closely with your doctors and following their care plan is crucial. Ignoring or skipping appointments could delay your recovery and impact the amount of compensation that you can recover. The statute of limitations further restricts the time you must file a lawsuit to pursue damages.
Take Photos and Videos
Documenting the accident scene with photographs can aid in establishing the facts of the case. Taking a wide-angle view of the scene and up-close shots of any damage to the vehicles and other elements involved in the crash is essential. Photos can help juries better understand the scene and may play a key role in determining the fault for the collision. If it is safe to do so without putting yourself or other riders in further danger, you should also film the accident. It can provide evidence of the severity of the accident as well as help to identify any witnesses. It is also helpful to capture essential details, such as roadway skid marks, the sun’s position, obstructions, and more. It is information that insurance companies and legal teams will consider in assessing a claim.
