5 Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
5 Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
About 5,000 motorcyclists died in crashes in the span of a single year. In fact, motorcyclists are nearly 29 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash. Also, another 84,000 injuries occurred as a result of these accidents.If you’re ever in a motorcycle accident, you might find yourself in a hospital bed for some time. During that time, your medical bills will start to stack up. To make matters worse, you might find yourself out of work while you heal, as well.Don’t let the stress of covering your losses impact your ability to heal. Instead, follow these five steps after an accident. Following these tips will help you gather the evidence you need.1. Move to SafetyImmediately after an accident, it’s normal to feel confused and disoriented. Try to focus on your safety.First, determine if your motorcycle is safe to move. Step away from the vehicle if it’s leaking gasoline or on fire. Instead, wait for professionals to arrive and move the bike.In the meantime, move to the side of the road and out of the way of incoming traffic. Otherwise, you might unintentionally contribute to another crash. Also, you could sustain more severe injuries.Try to remain near the site of the crash. The police officers who arrive to take your statement will want to know where the accident occurred.Make sure to remain nearby any other drivers involved in the crash, too. You’ll need to get their contact information before you leave.Once you’re in a safe area, take a moment to assess your injuries.About 39.5 million unintentional injuries result in injuries that require a doctor’s attention. Another 24.5 million people must go to the emergency room.If you sustained serious injuries, call for medical help while you’re still at the scene of the crash. Only a medical professional can assess your health.Adrenaline might even mask the intensity of your injuries. You might not realize you sustained organ damage or internal bleeding until later. Don’t take that risk.Calling for medical attention immediately after a motorcycle accident will ensure your health and safety are not jeopardized.2. Call the PoliceOnce you’re in a safe area, call the police.In some states, you’re legally obligated to file a police report after traffic accidents. Make sure to remain at the site of the crash until police arrive. Otherwise, you might get charged with a hit and run.While you wait for the police to arrive, try to avoid unnecessary small talk. Also, avoid apologizing for what happened. In some situations, an apology is viewed as a sign of guilt.In addition, apologizing could get you in legal trouble later on.When the police arrive, stick to the facts. Remain cooperative and calm. Don’t fabricate details. Explain to the police exactly what happened. Don’t point the finger at anyone else, either. Avoid admitting fault or saying you weren’t paying attention.Try to keep your statement brief and to the point.3. Gather Evidence of the Motorcycle AccidentWhile you wait for the police to arrive, take a moment to gather evidence.First, talk to any other drivers who were involved in the crash. Then, take down information like their:
Name
Phone number
Address
License plate number
Vehicle information
Insurance information
Driver’s license information
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About Daniel Kim
This article is written by Daniel Kim, a personal injury lawyer in California.