If you’re a biker, you’ve probably thought about what to do in the event of a motorcycle accident. You might have even taken steps to ensure that your insurance will cover any damages incurred by injuries or property damage. But if an accident happens, are you prepared?
Don’t Admit Fault
One of the most important things to keep in mind is who’s at fault for the collision and how that impacts your ability to seek compensation. No matter what, do not admit fault. You may not be able to prove it later on, but at least you won’t have admitted that you’re liable for the accident.
If you admit fault many times that could be used against you in court as evidence that the accident was your responsibility. In some states, you may not be able to collect compensation if you admit fault even if you’re not at fault.
Make Sure Everyone is Ok
Regardless of who is at fault, you should ensure that everyone is okay. Check to make sure everyone involved is not injured. Exchange contact information with the other person involved and make sure they are not injured. If anyone appears to be injured, insist that they get medical attention even if the other person insists that they don’t need it.
Sometimes when someone is in an accident they will go into shock which can make them act like they don’t need help even if they do.
If you’re injured, call emergency services and proceed with treatment as instructed by medical personnel. If someone else is injured, try to get them to care for any injuries even if it means calling an ambulance first before going to a hospital.
Get All the Facts Documented
After you make sure everyone is ok the next thing to do is to document everything that has happened. Make sure you take pictures of the accident scene, including any damage to vehicles or property, and document your injuries.
If there are any witnesses who can corroborate your account of events, it’s important to find out their name and contact information too. This is important because if you need to have the courts involved, later on, it will be beneficial to have the testimony of witnesses.
Documentation is important because it provides evidence of the events that have occurred for later use in court. It can also be used to protect your interests when negotiating with the other person involved.
When you are in an accident things move so quickly and memories fade. Make sure you take pictures and get the facts documented as soon as possible before they fade away in your mind.
Should I Call the Police?
If anyone were injured in the accident, it’s important to call emergency services first. That way you will be able to receive medical attention if needed and have a record of the accident.
If you were not injured, it is up to you if you want to call the police or not. It’s important that when called on by law enforcement officers, they are able to take a statement from both parties involved and document any injuries as well as property damage that will be used in an investigation for the accident.
Police statements help to determine who is at fault for the collision. If you are unsure about your account of events, it could be beneficial to consult with a lawyer before giving a statement if there’s any liability on your part.
Speak with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If the injuries are substantial or if there’s significant property damage, speak with an attorney, you will want to have motorcycle accident lawyers right away. An attorney can help to determine what damages might be awarded and may even offer to represent you in court.
The severity of the injuries or property damage should not determine whether or not you need an attorney.
The damage caused by the accident is important in determining who should be contacted. If there was significant damage you will probably want to contact someone immediately to make sure that your vehicle, motorcycle, and other valuables are taken care of properly.
If you call a law firm early on they might take care of everything for you and lessen any wait times for when it might be more difficult to make such decisions with medical issues arising from the injury.
Don’t stress
The most important thing for you to not do is to stress. If you are injured, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible and if there is any property damage that needs tending to, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer immediately so they can make sure everything is taken care of properly and quickly for you.
