It’s bad enough to get on the road in your car. Things are even more dangerous when you’re out there on a motorcycle.
You can’t be too careful when you’re on the road. There are an estimated 6 million accidents that happen on the road every year. You never know when it will happen to you.
You need to know what to do if you ever get involved in a motorcycle accident. Below are seven steps you need to take after you get into an accident.
1. Get to Safety
The first thing to do after getting into an accident is to make sure everybody is clear of the road and safe. Move your vehicles to the side of the road if you can and make sure everybody is clear from oncoming traffic.
If your vehicles are leaking gasoline or any other fluids, steer clear of them. You don’t want to be close if something ignites the fluids and causes a fire.
Don’t try too hard to get the vehicles off the road if you can’t drive them off. Staying on the road too long is dangerous. You can rely on emergency services to handle things in situations like this.
2. Check for Injuries
Once everybody is safe, you need to check for injuries. Call emergency services if someone has been injured because of the crash.
If you were seriously injured and have problems moving, don’t try to do much. You want to stay as still as possible until an ambulance arrives. Any extra movement on your part can end up causing your wounds to get worse.
Don’t wait to call for help if your injuries don’t appear to be severe. Many injuries don’t fully present themselves until days later. Having a doctor check you out as soon as possible means you can adequately treat injuries you can’t spot on your own.
3. Call the Police
Once you’re safe and have help coming to treat your injuries, it’s time to call the police. Even if the accident is minor, you want to get the police involved so you can get a report to give to insurance.
The police are also vital if you have vehicles on the road. The police will be able to control and direct traffic while your accident is being taken care of.
They are also needed if there is any legal action required. Take a drunk driver, for instance. They would need to test them and file charges if there was drunk driving involved.
Furthermore, consulting with a local attorney can ensure you have expert guidance and support in pursuing any necessary legal actions or claims related to the accident. If your accident happened in Montana, for instance, it’s essential to promptly find a motorcycle accident attorney in Montana who can provide you with the specialized legal assistance required for your case. Their knowledge of state-specific laws and regulations can significantly benefit your pursuit of justice and compensation.
The police may not make it to the scene if nobody is injured, and the vehicle damage isn’t bad. It’s still essential to head to the police station to file a report. You want an official record of the accident on the record.
4. Take Pictures
Once help arrives, you need to start taking pictures of everything. Look at your motorcycle and the other vehicle to find what damages are present.
Take pictures of everything you can. You might not be able to get a full picture of everything wrong. However, your images will give the insurance company a place to start when you file your claim.
Try to get pictures of the surroundings, as well. Getting photos of street signs, buildings, and other objects will help the insurance company place the scene of the accident.
5. Collect Documentation
Pictures of the crash aren’t the only thing you need for your accident case. You need as much information about the other drive as you can.
Make sure you collect the other driver’s license, license plate number, insurance information, and any additional information that will be relevant.
If your accident was in a highly-trafficked area, there would likely be witnesses too. Check around to see if there is anybody that can testify to what happened with your accident. They will help back up your case.
6. Watch What You Say
You can’t expect anybody to be on your side during a motorcycle accident. The other driver doesn’t want to admit fault, and the insurance company doesn’t want to pay out a claim if it doesn’t have to.
Unfortunately, anything you say during this process can harm your chances of winning your accident case. Don’t say anything that indicates that you were at fault for the accident.
Even telling somebody that you are okay and not injured can work against you. Wait until you get the facts from an expert before talking about your case. This is the information you want to provide to others.
7. Talk to the Insurance Company
Once you have the information you need at the scene of the accident, you can file your insurance claim. Make sure you make your claim as soon as you can.
If the other person is at fault, you’re going to make your claim with their insurance company. Even though you do this, you still need to notify your insurance agent that you were in a crash.
Once you file your case, the insurance company will assign an agent to investigate your claim. You’ll need to provide them with the documentation you collected during the process.
Of course, not all insurance cases will go your way. The good news is that there are people out there that will help. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney to look through your case and help you get the settlement you deserve.
Don’t Miss a Step After Your Motorcycle Accident
You can’t afford to make a misstep after getting into a motorcycle accident. Make sure you follow the steps above, so you have what you need to get the help you deserve after your accident. Don’t give the insurance companies a reason to deny your claim.
Are you looking for an attorney to help represent you in your accident case? Head back to our blog to learn how you can find the right person for the job.
