Serious injuries and intense emotions could be the results of a motorcycle accident. Whether it was your fault or someone else’s, you might end up in an emotionally unstable state. After an accident, it’s critical to remain composed and proceed carefully because your decisions could have a big impact on how your insurance claim is handled or how any subsequent legal disputes turn out. The important thing is what you do right away at the accident scene and even later.
We’ll go over some recommendations for what to do following a motorcycle collision.
Check whether the parties involved are OK
Check for injuries on both you and other people first. Make an immediate 911 call if anyone is hurt. By asking for assistance, you release yourself from all liability. Turn off the engine and turn on the hazard lights if everyone is secure.
Take photos
It’s crucial to take pictures of the accident scene, but you must first make sure it’s safe for you to do so. If you’re unharmed, you can use a camera or your phone to take pictures while making an effort to get them from various perspectives. It might be a good idea to take pictures of the surrounding area to support your claims. The aftermath of the motorcycle accident can also be captured on video.
Call the police
After the motorcycle accident, call the police if:
- The other driver has fled the scene without providing any details
- You think the other driver is intoxicated or lacks insurance
- If you suspect the other driver caused the accident intentionally
- Someone is seriously injured
You can talk to the officer in charge of the accident’s investigation. Do not acknowledge responsibility during this discussion. Most importantly, wait to speak with your attorney before making any statements. The next steps will be explained to you by your attorney.
Get witness statements
Witness accounts can support your case and provide details about the motorcycle accident. Before leaving the scene, make sure you get the names and phone numbers of a few witnesses to the motorcycle accident. Record the details of the crash witnesses saw, if you can, in their written accounts of what happened.
You may also want to record the following information at the accident scene:
- Make, model and number plate of the motorcycle/car involved in the crash
- Time and date of the accident
- Driving conditions such as road quality, weather, and lighting
- Involved parties that were injured
- If you were the only person in the collision and you caused damage to someone else’s property, leave a note where the owner can see it. If your license plate is later captured on camera, you could be in big trouble.
Contact an attorney
A lawyer will be necessary; ideally one with experience handling motorcycle accident cases. Call attorney if:
- You are wrongly accused of causing the accident
- You have sustained injuries or associated costs because of the motorcycle accident
- The insurance company has refused to compensate
Notify the insurance company
Speak to your insurance provider. They will ask for some information including:
- Your policy number, motorcycle registration number
- Your motorcycle insurance details and
- Details of the other drivers/cyclists involved where applicable
The advice given above on what to do after a motorcycle accident was very useful. Ride safely!
