Each year sees an increase in the number of motorcycle accidents. These collisions can result in serious injuries as well as considerable damage to your motorcycle. To protect your health and pursue the right to compensation, it is crucial that you follow the correct procedures.
Here are some steps to take after a motorcycle accident.
Call the Police
Always call 911 immediately after the accident to make sure the accident scene gets handled the right way. When the cops and other emergency responders arrive on the site, cooperate and provide your account of what happened. This proof will be helpful in the future to show negligence on the part of the other motorist.
Get Medical Help as Soon as You Can
Motorbikes don't have the same safety measures as cars, so motorcyclists are more likely to suffer severe injuries in accidents. If you fear you have suffered injury, you should go to the emergency room immediately. If you don't go to the emergency room, you should make an appointment with your doctor to document your injury and to get medical treatment. Keep in mind, from the insurance adjuster's point of view, hurt people get medical treatment, people who aren't hurt don't go to the doctor, so those who don't receive medical treatment must not be hurt. Obtaining prompt medical care for your injuries will help you with your injury claim.
Document Evidence
Take pictures of the accident scene. The damage to vehicles and their location on the road can be critical to establishing who is at fault and the severity of the wreck. Any adjacent traffic signal or signpost is significant, as is the road itself. You should also document your personal account of the accident.
Likewise, save copies of your health records, hospital expenses, and motorcycle repair invoices. Get any CCTV camera video right away after the accident to ensure that the owner does not destroy it.
Get the Contact Details for Any Other Affected Parties
Exchange contact details with any other involved drivers before you leave the accident scene. The details should include the driver's name, phone number, license plate numbers, and insurance policy details. Most often, this information is contained in the report provided by the police at the scene. Also, collect the contact information of eyewitnesses, since they may be helpful as witnesses in a court case.
Never Acknowledge Fault
Don't apologize or say anything that implies you contributed in any way to the collision. If the facts later show that the other driver was clearly at fault, any admissions you make, however innocent or mistaken it was, can severely impair your injury claim.
Enlist the Help of a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The person to pursue your case is a motorcycle accident attorney. An attorney will investigate the claim, determine who was at fault for the accident and develop evidence to support your injury claim. Also, importantly, the attorney will handle all the communications with the insurance company (who is always looking for reasons to pay less) and help you seek a fair monetary settlement.
Contact Your Insurance Provider as Soon as You Can
Once you have hired legal counsel, you will need to engage with your insurance provider to address the financial aspects of your damages.
Still, you are not obligated to provide a recorded statement right away. You may still be shaken up, in pain or taking pain medication, any of which may affect your ability to fairly give a statement or to be wary of tricky questions. You can inform an adjuster that you are not prepared to provide a statement right now and that you will arrange one later. This will give you enough time to speak with a lawyer.
Give Us a Call if You Need Help
Are you or your loved one a victim of a motorcycle accident? Please get in touch with us at Palmetto Injury Lawyers as soon as possible to schedule a free case evaluation and to hear what further actions we will pursue on your behalf. We serve clients in the Myrtle Beach area, including Horry and Georgetown Counties, along with surrounding counties.