What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
Traffic accidents of all kinds present significant risks to both the victim’s physical and financial health, with crashes often resulting in injuries and varying degrees of property damage.
Motorcycle accidents, however, pose an even greater risk of catastrophic injuries due to the open and unprotected nature inherent in riding such a vehicle. If you are involved in an accident as a motorcycle rider, your chances of suffering severe injury are significantly increased.
Knowing what to do following such an accident, the important things to focus on, and the processes involved is critical as you search for the compensation you deserve.
Though contacting an experienced Woodstock motorcycle accident lawyer is among the first steps you should take immediately following a wreck, there are other important things to consider as you navigate the aftermath.
A knowledgeable attorney can provide peace of mind that you placed your case in good hands. You can move forward with confidence that someone with extensive insight into motorcycle accidents is seeking a favorable outcome and compensation for you.
Depending on the severity of your accident and the injuries and property damage you have suffered, the financial compensation you obtain from a motorcycle accident claim can be crucial to your recovery and ability to move forward.
Never risk receiving less than you deserve, as your future depends on full compensation. Take every step possible to maximize your compensation.
If you or someone you love has been in a motorcycle accident, you have the right to take legal action to pursue damages that can help you pay your medical bills, cover for lost income due to not working, repair or replace your vehicle, and compensate you for additional pain and suffering you have endured.
Your lawyer will meet with you to hear the details of your accident, investigate the cause, explain the legal options available, help you make informed decisions, and lead you in the right direction.
Continue reading below to learn more about what you need to do in the days, weeks, and months following your motorcycle accident, and contact a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.
Overview of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are an unfortunately common occurrence in the United States and can result in severe injuries that leave behind life-altering challenges for those involved.
While inherent risks come with operating a motorcycle, an injured motorcyclist still deserves the right to pursue compensation after an accident. Though specific tasks need to be completed at the scene immediately following the accident, that is only the beginning of a longer, more complex process.
Necessary post-accident steps include ongoing medical treatment, gathering pertinent documentation and evidence, and working closely with your motorcycle accident lawyer to build your case.
Finding the right attorney to represent you in your case has an impact that we cannot overstate. Despite the ordeal you have experienced with the accident and your injuries, you can feel confident that your lawyer will fight hard for you as you seek the resolution to your case that you deserve.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
As mentioned above, motorcycle accidents often result in devastating injuries, many of which leave permanent damage to the lives and well-being of the victims.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents include:
- Road Rash: Skin abrasions from friction with the road surface
- Bone Fractures: Broken bones in various parts of the body
- Head Injuries: Traumatic injuries to the skull or brain
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the vertebrae in the neck or back, including paralysis
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Muscle, tendon, or ligament damage
- Internal Injuries: Internal organs can suffer injuries that are not immediately apparent
- Burns: Resulting from contact with hot surfaces of the vehicles or burning fuel
Immediate medical attention is often needed to diagnose and treat many of the injuries listed above, and many of them can cause long-lasting — or even permanent — physical damage.
Your lawyer will be well-equipped to help you get the proper medical assessment as you build your case to reflect the harm you have suffered.
Immediate Steps to Take Following a Motorcycle Accident
Though this article is largely focused on the extended process of pursuing a legal resolution following a motorcycle accident, it is still beneficial to have a brief understanding of the things that you should do immediately after the crash while you are still at the scene.
When a motorcycle accident has taken place:
- Get everyone at the scene to safety as soon as possible
- Immediately assess any obvious injuries and call 9-1-1
- Collect identification and contact information for all involved parties and witnesses
- Document the scene in as much detail as possible with photos and videos
- Provide a detailed account of the accident to law enforcement
- Contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer
- Notify your insurance company of the accident
- Seek medical attention for a full physical assessment in case of hidden injuries
Once you accomplish these steps, the next phase of the post-accident process begins. A dedicated attorney’s help will keep you on track and moving in the right direction with your case.
Seeking Medical Attention
Receive swift medical attention and a comprehensive physical exam after a motorcycle accident to protect your physical health and lay a solid foundation for any legal action you need to take. Properly identifying and treating all injuries gives you the physical help you need in the short term and gathers vital evidence for your case.
Adhere to your doctor’s treatment plan to improve the prospects for your legal case. Following the treatment prescribed by your doctor, taking detailed notes during your appointments, and collecting all medical records and documentation will strengthen your case with valuable evidence to prove the severity of your injuries and underscore your need for fair financial compensation.
Contacting Law Enforcement & Obtaining Accident Reports
Involving law enforcement agencies and obtaining copies of any accident reports they compile are important aspects of the post-accident process. This official documentation can serve as valuable evidence and play a key role in pursuing your desired resolution. Cooperating fully and honestly with law enforcement officers at the accident scene will help the officers, insurance companies, and the legal system determine fault and liability.
Request the names and badge numbers of the officers at the scene and follow up with them and the department to inquire about the progress of the investigation and obtain a copy of the accident report. Your lawyer may obtain this report through the local department or remotely through an online portal. Obtaining a copy of the report promptly will help your insurance provider and attorney keep the process moving on time.
The Importance of Legal Representation
As with any type of legal matter, feeling confident about your representation in your motorcycle accident case is critical. A motorcycle accident case requires a deep understanding of a wide range of laws and regulations, from traffic laws to insurance regulations to personal injury laws.
Hiring a lawyer with extensive experience in leading other injured motorcyclists through the same type of legal process will improve your chances of reaching the outcome you need.
Your attorney will help you build your case, take the necessary steps to take action, and serve as the defender of your rights and a skilled advocate for your argument in court. To secure the right lawyer for your case, do your research, consider recommendations from family or friends, and take the opportunity to schedule consultations.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Another important aspect of the post-accident process involves dealing with insurance companies. As anyone who has experienced communicating with insurance providers knows, insurance companies fill the process with complications and confusion. Letting your attorney handle all communication and negotiation with insurance companies during the process is always your best option.
Insurance companies often appear helpful and willing to work with you. However, insurance providers will typically look to resolve accident claims as quickly as possible for as little payout as possible. Trusting your attorney to handle negotiations will protect your rights and increase your chances of reaching a fair resolution.
Understanding Compensation
Knowing the different types of compensation available in motorcycle accident claims is important as you work with your lawyer to start the process. Victims of motorcycle accidents may recover compensation to address different aspects of harm they suffered, including:
- Economic Damages: Covering medical expenses, lost income, property damage
- Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering that may be more difficult to quantify
- Punitive Damages: Reserved for instances of intentional harm or gross negligence
Depending on the different factors in your case, you and your lawyer will devise a strategy to incorporate whatever types of harm you suffered as you pursue compensation.
The Legal Process & Timelines
The legal process that ensues following a motorcycle accident will adhere to specific standards and regulations put in place in accordance with the laws of your jurisdiction. Understanding your state’s specifics and how cases like yours are handled is important, and your lawyer can provide you with the necessary details and guidance.
Certain considerations, such as the applicable statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit, preserving evidence, and gaining familiarity with how your state handles fault, negligence, and other aspects of compensation are also key elements you will need to discuss with your attorney. Building a solid legal strategy will go a long way toward putting you on the path to seeking the financial compensation you need to move forward.
Trust an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Help
Though you may feel like you have a decent grasp on what to do and what to avoid doing in the aftermath of your motorcycle accident, your best option is always to work with a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer for guidance and strong legal representation.
It’s common to feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to proceed following a traffic accident, so knowing you have a highly trained professional in your corner can make a significant difference in both your frame of mind and your chances of obtaining the outcome you want.
Darl Champion, Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Rather than trying to find your way through such a challenging situation alone, let an experienced lawyer take some of the burden off your shoulders.
From start to finish, a skilled motorcycle accident attorney will stand by your side and help you make the best decisions in your case. Your lawyer will work on your behalf to build a strong case, present all relevant evidence to support your argument and lead you step by step through every phase of the motorcycle claim process — including litigation, if necessary.
You can rely on your lawyer to stand up for your rights and fight hard for you as you seek the resolution and the financial compensation you deserve.
If you are facing the stress and uncertainty that comes along with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, now is the time to make use of your right to take legal action to pursue justice.
A successful motorcycle accident claim can potentially result in you being awarded much-needed financial compensation that can be used to cover your medical expenses, offset your loss of income from being out of work, and pay for other losses you have incurred following your accident.
If you have suffered harm — physical and financial — in a motorcycle accident, give yourself the best chance to reach the resolution you want by reaching out to a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer today to schedule a consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.
Motorcycle accident attorneys will evaluate your rights at no cost to you. They also charge no fees unless they are successful in obtaining compensation for you. There is nothing to lose and no risk in seeking a consultation, so contact a law firm near you.