What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident
Posted in Motorcycle accidents on January 19, 2021
Motorcycle accidents can be incredibly scary experiences for those involved. Motorcyclists lack the same level of protection that those riding inside traditional passenger vehicles have, and the odds are, that the injuries in these cases are often severe.
Here, we want to discuss what you can do after a motorcycle accident to ensure your well-being well also helping secure maximum compensation for your losses. If you or somebody you care about is injured in a motorcycle crash caused by the careless or negligent actions of somebody else, the steps we list here could help you get through this a little bit easier.
Steps to take following motorcycle crash
According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, there were 826 total motorcyclists involved in crashes during the latest reporting year across the state. Unfortunately, data also shows us that many of these recorded incidents resulted in some sort of injury or fatality for the victim. Here, we want to discuss steps you can take following the crash to help you through this process:
1. Get to safety
The first thing you need to do is take in your surroundings and current situation. If you are in the middle of the roadway or in harm’s way at all, your first move is to get to safety if possible. Get out of the roadway and away from traffic. If you are able to help any others involved in the accident, get them to safety as well.
2. Do not take off your protective gear
It may be tempting to try to take off some of your protective gear but resist this urge. You may be in shock, and adrenaline may be preventing you from feeling any pain. Removing your helmet or any other clothing could exasperate injuries and cause serious problems. Let medical professionals handle this for you.
3. Call 911
If you are able to do so, call 911. If you cannot do this, try to make sure that somebody else has done so. Make sure that police, fire, and EMS are on the way.
4. Seek medical care immediately
Your number one priority after a motorcycle crashes to seek medical care as soon as possible. This may mean letting EMS professionals take you to the hospital so you can receive immediate treatment. If you do not think that you need to go to the hospital at that exact moment, you should still consider going to an emergency clinic or a doctor for evaluation as soon as possible. Not only does this ensure your well-being, but it also establishes a solid link between the motorcycle crash and your injuries.
5. Gather evidence if possible
If you are able to safely do so at the scene of the crash, you can begin gathering some evidence that could be useful to prove liability in the case. This can include using your phone or another device to take photographs of anything at the scene, including vehicles involved, any damaged property, debris at the scene, injuries, traffic conditions, weather conditions, and more.
Take note of any nearby video surveillance cameras that may have captured the incident on their footage. You should also get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the crash. You can try to get the names and insurance information of other drivers involved, but you may need to rely on the police to do this.
6. Contact an attorney
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a motorcycle crash caused by the actions of somebody else, consider contacting a Nashville motorcycle attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can get involved early in these cases and handle all communications with insurance carriers to ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your losses.
Insurance carriers are going to do what they can to limit the amount of money they pay you in a settlement, but your attorney will vigorously negotiate to ensure that you are properly cared for.