No matter how much you love cruising down the road on your bike, you know how dangerous motorcycles can be. In fact, motorcycle accidents can be devastating. You need to take certain steps to smooth out your recovery from such a crash, so read on to learn about what to do if you ever find yourself in those circumstances.
Assess the Situation
When you find yourself dealing with a motorcycle accident, first assess the situation. See where you landed, and check yourself for injuries. If you feel pain, try not to move too much. If not, leave your safety gear and helmet on for support, and check with your passenger (if any) and other people involved.
Get to Safety
Then get to safety right away. If your bike is still moveable, pull it to the side of the road, but take pictures first if you can. Otherwise, step away from the accident scene. Work with others to guide traffic.
Call the Police
Call the police right away, too, and request an ambulance if anyone seems to be hurt. Even if the accident is minor, don’t neglect this step. The other driver may request it, but you could end up with all kinds of difficulties if there is not an official report.
Gather Information
Depending on the level of injuries and chaos, gather as much information at the scene of the accident as you can. Talk to other parties involved, and get their names, addresses, license plate numbers and insurance details. These records can then be used later for filing an insurance claim or should you decide to take legal action. Furthermore, with technology nowadays it is possible to use a license plate lookup in order to quickly identify those who are involved in the crash. In any case, it is imperative that you remain aware and organized during your time of distress so that all available resources can be leveraged properly. Ask police officers for a copy of their report, too.
Observe Carefully
Try to keep your wits about you so that you can carefully observe what is going on. Look closely at the other driver or drivers, and make note of any odd behavior that could indicate the influence of drugs and alcohol. Tell the police if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Check over your motorcycle, too, and describe the damage done to it. You could text this to a friend or use the notes app or voice recorder on your phone.
Call Your Insurance Company
When the accident scene is cleared and you’ve been checked for injuries, call your insurance company. If you find yourself in the emergency room, have a friend or relative help you with this. You’ll want to get the claims process started as soon as possible. Provide all the information you’ve gathered, and answer all questions clearly and concisely.
Keep Good Notes
Over the next few days and weeks, keep good notes. Record your injuries, treatment plan and prognosis as well as the condition of your bike and necessary repairs. Keep a log, too, of your interactions with your insurance company. The more information you have, the better you’ll be able to keep track of what’s going on and advocate for yourself.
Contact an Attorney
Finally, if you find yourself in the midst of a lawsuit or if you don’t get satisfaction from your insurance company, hire a motorcycle injury attorney. Your lawyer can handle the details of your case so that you can recover.
Remember that a motorcycle accident doesn’t have to ruin your life. Use these steps to get you back on your feet and back on the road.