What Immediate Steps Should You Take After a Motorcycle Accident?
Accidents involving motorcycles tend to come with serious injuries. There’s nothing between you and the road like there is in a car or a truck. Even minor accidents can cause serious injuries to the motorcyclist, so it’s important to know what to do after an accident. Unfortunately, what you say or do following a motorcycle accident can impact the quality of your claim and the amount of compensation you recover. Knowing the best steps to take can protect your claim and ensure you are compensated fairly for your injuries.
Check for injuries
The first thing you want to do is check yourself to determine how injured you are and where your injuries are. If you suffered head trauma, you don’t want to assume that you’re okay just because you feel okay. In many cases, concussions and traumatic brain injury don’t manifest symptoms until hours after you’ve been injured. You would then want to find a safe place to wait until emergency vehicles arrive.
Call 911 or contact law enforcement
Once you’re in a safe space, you want to immediately contact police by dialing 911. First responders will arrive on the scene and assist with any injuries you may have. Even if you feel like the accident was minor and resulted in no injuries, it’s still important to call 911. In addition to sending emergency medical crews, they will send police officers who will take a report of the incident. The police report could potentially strengthen your claim. The police report will contain information like:
- A diagram of the accident scene
- The officer’s accident investigation findings including their opinion on who they believe was negligent for the crash
- A description of the damage to your vehicle
- A description of your injuries
- A description of the road and weather conditions
- Anything else that may have caused or contributed to the accident
The accident report can be used during settlement negotiations to support your claim.
Exchange insurance information with the other party
Next, you’ll have to exchange insurance information with the other party. Be sure to include their name and contact information. Do not say anything to the other party that could compromise your claim.
Take photos and get witness information
Take photos of the accident scene including damage to your motorcycle and damage to the other car. You’ll also want to get witness information. Witnesses can help establish that you were not at fault for the accident.
Seek medical attention
If you don’t seek medical attention after an accident, the insurance company can use this information to “prove” that you did not sustain serious injuries. Chances are good that you have injuries that you’re not aware of. So, you should always seek medical attention immediately after a serious motorcycle accident.
Talk to a Tulsa, Oklahoma Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Levinson Law, P.C. represents the interests of those who have been injured in a motorcycle accident. Call our Tulsa personal injury lawyers today to schedule a consultation, and we can begin investigating your claim right away.
