A motorcycle accident can result in serious injuries and intense emotions. You may find yourself in an emotionally unstable state, either through your own fault or someone else’s. It is important to stay calm and take the proper steps after the accident because your actions can have significant consequences when you end up filing your insurance claim or any other legal dispute. What you do immediately at the scene of the accident and even afterwards is key.
We will go over some guidelines on what to do after a motorcycle accident.
Check if the parties involved are okay
First of all, check yourself and others for injuries. If someone is injured, call 911 immediately. Asking for help will not hold you responsible in any way. If everyone is safe, turn off the engine and turn on the hazard lights.
Take photos
Getting pictures of the accident scene is important, but you need to make sure it’s safe to do so. If you are not injured, you can use your phone or a camera and try to make sure you get pictures from different angles. You may also want to take pictures of the surrounding environment as this could help prove your case. You can also take a video of the aftermath of the motorcycle accident.
Call the police
After the motorcycle accident, call the police if:
- The other driver has fled the scene without giving details.
- You think the other driver is intoxicated or has no insurance
- If you suspect the other driver intentionally caused the accident
- someone is seriously injured
You can discuss the accident with the police officer assigned to investigate it. During this discussion, do not admit liability. The most important thing is that you do not give any statement until you contact your attorney. Your attorney will then tell you what steps to take.
Get witness statements
Witness statements can help you prove your claim and paint a picture of the motorcycle accident. Be sure to get contact information for a few people who witnessed the motorcycle accident before you leave the scene. If you can, write witness accounts of the accident detailing everything they observed.
You can also record the following information at the scene of the accident:
- Make, model and license plate of the motorcycle/car involved in the accident
- Time and date of the accident
- Driving conditions, such as road quality, weather, and lighting.
- Involved parties who were injured
- If you were the only person involved in the accident and you damaged private property, leave a note where the owner can see it. You may find yourself in serious trouble if your license plate number is caught on camera later.
Contact an attorney
You will need the help of an attorney, preferably one who specializes in motorcycle accident cases. Call an attorney if:
- He is unfairly accused of causing the accident.
- You have suffered injuries or associated costs due to the motorcycle accident
- The insurance company has refused to indemnify
Notify the insurance company
Contact your insurance company. They will ask you for certain information including:
- Your policy number, motorcycle registration number
- Your motorcycle insurance details and
- Details of other drivers/cyclists involved where applicable
The above were helpful tips on what to do after a motorcycle accident. Drive safely!
