Police office at scene of an accident between a car and motorcycle.
Did you know that Texas has some of the highest numbers of motorcycle crash injuries and fatalities? In 2019, there were 8,254 injuries and fatalities due to motorcycle accidents in Texas.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident that is the fault of another driver, you may want to consider consulting with an attorney to ensure that you get everything that you are entitled to. Your chances of successful recovery, both financially and physically, can be improved if you do certain things after an accident.
Read on to learn more about what to do after you’re in a motorcycle accident.
Remain Calm and Check For Injuries
Although it might be difficult, try to stay calm after an accident. If you are able, move away from the crash scene and out of harm’s way, especially if you’re on the road and there is other traffic.
Then, take stock of your injuriesand the injuries of anyone else involved in the accident.
Can you move around easily? Are you bleeding? Do you feel woozy? If your injuries don’t allow it, don’t try to get up and move. Instead, wait for paramedics to arrive.
Call 911
If your injuries aren’t severe, or if there are others who are injured, call 911. You’ll need paramedics to tend to any injuries and transport anyone severely injured to the hospital. The police will also come, and they will investigate the accident, talk to any witnesses, and help facilitate moving your motorcycle and any other vehicles involved from the road or having them towed if they are undrivable.
Even if there aren’t any injuries, you still need to call the police, as you will need an official accident report for an insurance claim. You also need the police if the other driver(s) try to flee, are unlicensed, or are uninsured.
Document the Scene
If you aren’t injured or aren’t seriously injured, take some time to document the accident and the scene while you are waiting for the police and paramedics to respond. Grab your phone and take video and pictures. Try to document everything without putting yourself at any risk or disturbing the scene.
Take photos and videos of your motorcycle, any other vehicles involved, any property damage, and the immediate scene. Use the notes app on your phone to document the day and time of the accident, the exact location, and any other relevant information, such as the weather or other conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
Most of this information will be included in the police report, but it’s wise to have your own records as well so you can share them ith your attorney. Note the names and badge numbers of the responding officers in your notes. If you need to follow up with them or your attorney needs additional information, they’ll be able to get in touch.
If you have the opportunity, try to write down everything you can remember about the accident, such as where you were, what you were doing, what direction you were driving in, and any relevant information about what the other cars involved were doing.
Gather Contact Information
Exchange information with the other parties involved in the crash. Ask for their names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, and driver’s license number. If you can, take a picture of their license and insurance card. This ensures that the information you get is accurate and gives you a back up if you make a mistake when noting the information.
Note relevant information about the car as well, including the color, make, model, and license plate number. If there was existing damage on the vehicle, note this as well (and consider taking a picture of it). Keep your notes organized, especially if there were multiple care or parties involved in the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t think you are injured, you should still get check out by a medical professional. Many accident injuries take a few days to show up and the adrenaline that often accompanies an accident may be masking any pain or injuries that you have.
Injuries that are common with motorcycle injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), broken ribs, and internal bleeding often don’t show up immediately, so if you don’t seek medical attention right away, you might be putting yourself at risk.
You also need copies of your medical records for the insurance company and your attorney, so clearly document all of your appointments and keep copies of bills, discharge instructions, and any descriptions of your injuries. If you don’t see a doctor and document your injuries, the insurance company may try to argue that there is no way to prove that your injuries were the result of the accident and weren’t preexisting.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Even if you weren’t at fault, you’ll need to contact your insurance company. They will want to document the accident and they may also go after the insurance companies of who is at fault. It is especially important to contact your insurance company if the other drivers are uninsured.
Do Not Admit Fault
You should never admit fault. Not at the scene of the accident, not to the police who respond, and not to the insurance company. Insurance adjusters will often record your statements and anything that you say can be used against you later, so it is best not to say anything other than facts.
The exact cause of the accident may not be readily apparent, so let the police and insurance company figure out who is at fault. Once you admit fault, you can’t take that back, so it is best to let the experts establish fault and liability.
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
There is often a bias against motorcycle riders and many people assume that they are reckless drivers so they must be at fault for the accident. To be sure that your interests are best represented, you should hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to fight for you.
The attorneys at Ivey Law Firm are specialists in personal injury claims and are dedicated to getting fair compensation for the victims of accidents. Contact us today to schedule a meeting to go over your case.