Hopefully, you’ll never need to
worry about what to do in the event of a motorcycle accident. Should the time
ever come that you do, know that what you do and say immediately following an
accident can significantly affect the outcome of resulting insurance claims and
other potential legal actions. Here are six things to do if you’re involved in
a motorcycle accident:
CONTACT INFORMATION
The first thing to do if involved in an accident is to get yourself and, if
possible, your vehicle off of the road. Once that’s done, you’ll want to
exchange information with all the motorists involved in the accident. Be sure
to get names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, and driver’s
license numbers.
Most of us don’t leave home without our cell-phones, the vast majority of which
have cameras. Take advantage of the technology and photograph all the vehicles
involved in the accident. Make sure to photograph the license plates. Should
your accident result in injury, photo-documentation may be a great help to the
motorcycle injury attorney fighting for you.
CALL 911
For any number of reasons, it’s a good idea to have the police and, if
necessary, emergency services on the scene as quickly as possible. Be sure to
file a police report, especially if the accident has resulted in property
damage over five-hundred dollars. A police report provides documentation of the
accident which will be useful to your insurance claim and, if necessary, to
your motorcycle personal injury attorney.
NOTE YOUR SURROUNDINGS
Noting your surroundings may be the last thing on your mind immediately
following a motorcycle accident. If you’re able, though, details about the
scene of the accident can prove extremely significant. If you’ve sustained an
injury, for example, every detail you record will aid your motorcycle injury
attorney in fighting for compensation. Make a note of the location of the
accident as well as the weather and road conditions. Also, record the speed
limit in the area and note the nearest mile marker.
MIND WHAT YOU SAY
It’s extremely important that you never admit fault following an accident. It’s
often hard to sort out who’s at fault immediately following a collision and
admitting to even partial fault is a bad idea. Crucial details are sometimes
recalled hours and sometimes even days after a traumatic event. Remember,
anything you say in the moments following an accident can be used against you
in legal proceedings.
INTERVIEW EYEWITNESSES
Eyewitness testimony is a significant factor in most legal matters, and few
things may be of more help to the motorcycle injury lawyer fighting for you.
Interview all eyewitnesses to the accident, and do so as quickly as possible
while the details of the accident are still fresh in their minds. Make sure to
save eyewitness contact information, should your motorcycle accident attorney
require their testimony in the future.
CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY
Finally, you’ll want to contact your insurance company. Make sure to provide
them all the information you collected at the scene of the accident. According
to a personal
injury attorney, you shouldn’t admit fault at this
point either, not even to your insurance agent. Providing your insurance
company a thorough account of the accident will yield further documentation of
the incident, which will aid your motorcycle injury lawyer in fighting for
compensation.
If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, be sure to follow the above steps
immediately afterward. Doing so will aid in your insurance claim and, if
necessary, help your motorcycle personal injury attorney to fight for your due
compensation.