What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident

A motorcycle accident is a scary event.  After an accident you will have many questions about what you should do. We have put together a graphic of the top ten things we recommend you should do after an accident. Below the infographic is the text version for those who would prefer to read without images.

What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident (Plain Text Version)

1. Safety First– When you have been in an accident, first make sure you get to safety. An accident scene can still present dangers after the accident has occurred.  Make sure you are away from the vehicles and off the roadway so that you are not at risk of being struck by a passing vehicle or a secondary impact.

2. Call 911– After any accident call 911. If you are feeling anyinjury, let the operator know and get checked out by medical personnel immediately.  The 911 operator will ask you if your vehicle is drivable.  When a motorcycle is in accident, essential equipment can become easily damaged, so you should error on the side of caution and have the motorcycle towed and let the operator know that the motorcycle will need to be towed.

3. Report Injury to the Police Officer– All too often when we are in an accident we minimize the pain we are feeling or ignore it all together if we do not perceive the injury to be a major injury that would require an ambulance. Don’t overlook any pain that you are feeling at the scene of an accident and at the very least report what you are feeling to the police officer so that it is documented.

4. Take Photos at the Scene– If you or someone you are with are able to take photos at the scene, you should.If you can, take pictures before any of the vehicles are moved.  Take pictures of where the motorcycle came to rest and also any skid or scrape marks that may be on the ground.  Also, take pictures of all other vehicles that were involved in the accident.  The police generally will not take photos, so it is up to you to preserve this evidence in order to help prove your case.

5. Get Witness Information– Witnesses to your accident may not stay around too long after an accident.Often, other than seeing if you are OK, they will not wait to give their information to the police.  Try to get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. If there is a liability dispute, the statements from a witness will often be the deciding factor of liability.

6. Don’t Discuss Fault with Other Parties– Do not discuss anything having to do with how the accident happened or who is at fault with the other parties involved in an accident. You may not know all the details of why the accident occurred and you do not want to assume anything or say the wrong thing.  Leave sorting out the details of who is at fault to us.  You can of course be civil and find out how someone is doing or speak with them to exchange information.  If the police officer asks you for details regarding the accident, you should cooperate.

7. Request Insurance Information– If the other party to the accident is cooperative, ask for their insurance information. Obtain the name of the insurance company, policy number, their driver’s name, address and phone number.  It can take weeks for the police report to become available in order to learn of this information. By getting it at the scene, it will help to speed up the process of filing a claim.

8. Call Gruber Law Offices– After you have left the scene, hospital or have been admitted to the hospital, call Gruber Law Offices. We can help by putting things in motion from dealing with your motorcycle, getting the claims process started, advising about time off from work and much more. We will immediately help to protect your rights and minimize your losses.

9. Take Photos of your Injuries– As soon as you can, take photos of all your injuries to include bruising.Take photos each day to show the progression of how the injuries are healing.  This will be important for documenting direct trauma that may have occurred to your body.

10. Do Not Give a Statement or Sign Anything– The insurance company for the at fault party may try to reach you as soon as possible in order to convince you to give a recorded statement or to sign documents. As a result, you may be releasing privileged information, or you may in some circumstances sign away your rights without knowing it. Do not give a statement or sign anything without speaking to Gruber Law Offices first. What you say could prevent you from having a case.

If you are in an accident, following these steps will ensure that you are getting the assistance you need and that evidence is preserved for future use.