A motorcycle accident can lead to serious injuries and high emotions. You can find yourself in an emotionally unstable state, whether it’s your fault or someone else’s. It’s important to remain calm and take the right steps after the accident because your actions can have significant consequences when it comes to your insurance claim or other litigation. What matters is what you do at the scene of the accident and afterwards.
We’ll go over some guidelines on what to do after a motorcycle accident.
Check that the parties involved are okay
First and foremost, check yourself and others for injuries. If someone is injured, call 911 immediately. You will not be held liable in any way if you call for help. When everyone is safe, shut off the engine and turn on the hazard lights.
make photos
It’s important to take pictures of the scene of the accident, but you need to make sure it’s safe for you to do so. If you’re not injured, you can use your phone or a camera and try to make sure you get pictures from different angles. You may also want to take photos of the area as this could help prove your case. You can also make a video of the aftermath of the motorcycle accident.
call the police
Call the police after the motorcycle accident if:
- The other driver fled the scene without giving details
- They believe the other driver is drunk or doesn’t have insurance
- If you suspect that the other driver intentionally caused the accident
- Someone is seriously injured
You can discuss the accident with the assigned police officer. Do not admit liability during this discussion. Above all, do not testify until you have contacted your attorney. Your solicitor will then inform you of the steps to be taken.
obtain testimonies
Witness testimonies can help you prove your claim and get a picture of the motorcycle accident. Make sure you get the contact details of some of the people who witnessed the motorcycle accident before leaving the scene. If you can, write down the testimonies of the crash and describe everything you saw.
You can also record the following information at the scene of an accident:
- Make, model and number plate of the motorcycle/car involved in the accident
- time and date of the accident
- Driving conditions such as road quality, weather and lighting
- participants who were injured
- If you were the only person involved in the accident and damaged private property, leave a note where the owner can see it. You could get in serious trouble if your license plate is later caught on camera.
Contact a lawyer
You will need the help of a lawyer, preferably one who specializes in motorcycle accident cases. Call a lawyer if:
- You are wrongly accused of causing the accident
- You have suffered injuries or related expenses as a result of the motorcycle accident
- The insurance company refused compensation
Notify the insurance company
Get in touch with your health insurance company. They will ask for some information including:
- Your policy number, motorcycle registration number
- Your motorcycle insurance details and
- If applicable, details of the other drivers/cyclists involved
The above tips were helpful on what to do after a motorcycle accident. Drive safe!
