After a devastating motorcycle accident, it is important to take immediate action. In the moments following a crash, you have to assess the situation and try to ensure your safety, as well as that of others.

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident you should call Ivey Law Firm for guidance on what to do next. Here are some steps to take as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident:

1) Seek medical attention

The first priority should be to get help if you have been injured. If there are other motorists on the scene, request that they call 911 or the emergency service number for your area. Most people instinctively want to avoid seeking medical attention because they worry about injury costs or being subject to a lawsuit – but this hesitation could result in further complications down the line.

2) Call law enforcement

A law enforcement official should also be notified of the accident. Having the incident documented by an officer will help establish liability if any disputes or lawsuits arise later on. Law enforcement officers will come to the scene and take care of identifying possible witnesses, establishing traffic flow patterns, taking photographs of the scene, documenting police reports, etc.

3) Leave your helmet and safety gear on

Leave your helmet and safety gear on until an official has seen them. Even if you are injured, it is best to leave the helmet on until a law enforcement agent or representative from your motorcycle insurance company has inspected it. The same goes for your protective riding jacket and pants. This will ensure that they are not tampered with during this high-stress situation – which could have serious repercussions later on.

4) Document the accident with cell phone photos and videos

It is critical to document the scene before any possible evidence is disturbed. Using your smartphone, take photos of all aspects of the accident, including road conditions, skid marks, traffic flow patterns, signals at intersections, etc. As soon as possible after you have been in a collision, make a video of the scene and upload it to social media, email, or text it to family and friends.

5) Observe and collect information about the other driver and vehicle

If you suspect that the other driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, take note if they seem to be exhibiting signs of intoxication: staggering, slurring speech, bloodshot eyes, etc. If this is the case and law enforcement officials become involved, later on, it can help your case to show that this was a factor in the accident.

Make sure to get the name, address and contact information of any other motorist who may have been involved in a motorcycle accident with you. Also, take down their vehicle make, model, and license number. Be careful not to admit fault by accepting blame or apologizing – this can come back against you later on if there is a dispute about liability.

6) Collect witnesses’ information while at the scene

Take the names and contact information of any witnesses at the scene. If they saw what happened, ask them to go on record as a court witness – this is especially essential if you want to pursue legal action. Witnesses can also provide helpful evidence later on, although it may be necessary to refer back to them for follow-up questions about their account.

7) Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Ivey Law Firm offers free initial consultations for personal injury claims and we often take the case on contingency – meaning that we charge no fees or costs until your case has been settled or won in court.

8) Get a copy of your medical records

It is usually advisable to get multiple copies of any relevant medical information. This will be useful during the early stages of collecting evidence for your claim and/or lawsuit.

9) Check your auto insurance policy

Your attorney should look over your auto insurance policy to determine whether or not it covers any crashes that occurred while riding your motorcycle. Even if you were not at fault, many companies can use loopholes to avoid paying claims.

10) Get a copy of the police report

If law enforcement officials become involved in your accident and file a police report, you should request a copy of this as soon as possible. If the investigating officer does not provide it to you when they come to take your statement, then ask for it when they arrive on the scene – and double-check that they have taken down all of the information.

Get In Touch With Our Team For Some of The Most Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Houston

At Ivey Law Firm, we have some of the best motorcycle accident lawyers in town ready to advocate on your behalf. We handle all types of personal injury claims and have won millions of dollars for our clients. Contact Ivey Law Firm to find out how we can help you! Call 888-335-0015 to schedule a free consultation.