What to Do after a Motorcycle Accident

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in 2018, with riders facing challenges like visibility and a smaller size than other vehicles.

Of course, that doesn’t include non-fatal accidents, which can be frightening enough, not to mention the possible injuries, serious and otherwise. If you’re a motorcyclist, it’s important to know what you should do in case you are involved in one.

Call for Medical Help

Even if medical attention is not immediately required at the scene, it’s important to get checked out as soon as possible afterward as some injuries aren’t immediately evident. Even some serious injuries can take as long as 48 hours before presenting symptoms.

Call in Law Enforcement

The next thing to do after ensuring an ambulance is on the way if needed, is to call the police. Remember, it’s the job of law enforcement to determine who should get a citation, so you’ll need to give the sequence of events and any details as clearly and accurately as possible, assuming you aren’t seriously injured.

Don’t admit fault as there may be other factors involved that will prove that you aren’t. The other reason the police need to be involved as you will need an official police report to obtain compensation from the other party’s insurance if they were at fault.

Gather Information From Everyone Involved in the Accident

While the police report is likely to include the information of others involved, it’s important to gather it yourself and can be crucial in obtaining compensation.

That means the other driver’s name, their telephone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, and the name and contact information of their insurance company. If there are witnesses, be sure to jot down their names and phone numbers too.

Take Pictures

Assuming you aren’t seriously injured, take pictures of both vehicles and any damage that occurred, various angles of the accident scene, any visible injuries, and anything else that might be relevant like wet pavement. If you have photographic evidence, it can be an important factor for compensation when filing a claim.

Document Everything

The more documentation you have, the better, so you’ll want to record as many details as you can, even the smallest thing could make a big difference.

Additionally, after the accident, keep a journal that tracks how you feel each day, writing about any pain you have and assigning a number to it, such as 1 for barely noticeable and 5 for severe. You’ll also want to note the days you miss work and any other inconveniences that the accident has caused due to injuries.

Make an Appointment with a Lawyer Who Specializes in Motorcycle Accidents

It’s important to obtain a highly knowledgeable and experienced lawyer in your type of case, which is why you’ll want someone who specializes in motorcycle accidents. Conduct research online, such as typing St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyer (or whatever city you live in) into Google and reading any reviews you can find on each one that comes up.

Once you have a shortlist, set up appointments to meet with them. After you’ve secured your lawyer, this person can help walk you through the rest of the steps for obtaining compensation.