A motorbike can be a fun and efficient form of travel but it’s no secret that motorcyclists are vulnerable road users. In fact, it’s estimated that motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to be killed in accidents than car passengers. With more than 81,000 injury-causing motorcycle accidents in the U.S. each year, it’s vital to be prepared if you are involved in a collision. With this in mind, take a look at these three important things to do after a motorcycle accident:
1. Seek Medical Help
Getting medical assistance after a road traffic accident might seem like an obvious thing to do but you’d be amazed at how many don’t consult a doctor after they’ve been involved in a collision. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, it’s worth being checked out to confirm whether you’ve sustained any ‘hidden injuries’, such as internal bleeding.
In some cases, the adrenaline spike caused by the accident can mask pain, which could mean that you don’t realize how badly you’ve been hurt straight away. Providing you consult a doctor, however, you can ensure that any injuries you have sustained are properly diagnosed and fully treated as quickly as possible.
2. Gather Evidence
If you’re able to do so, start gathering evidence at the scene of the accident as this could help to prove that you weren’t responsible for the accident. Taking photographs of the damaged vehicles can provide useful information to accident investigators, for example, as the positioning of the vehicles can shed light on how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
If your injuries prevented you from gathering evidence in the immediate aftermath of the incident, there’s no need to panic. There are many types of evidence that can be collated at a later date, such as CCTV of the area, medical reports and witness statements.
3. Get Legal Advice
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help to protect your liability after a collision, but they can also help you to obtain compensation if the incident wasn’t wholly your fault. If another road user contributed to the crash, they could be required to pay you compensation, which is why it’s important to consult a specialist attorney in the days or weeks after a motorcycle accident.
From liaising with your insurance company and preparing your claim to accessing medical documents and negotiating a settlement, your legal team will handle every aspect of your compensation claim and work hard to ensure you obtain a fair amount of compensation.
Staying Safe on the Roads
Taking extra care on the roads can help to reduce the risk of accidents, so be sure to remain fully alert when you’re riding your motorcycle and always wear appropriate safety equipment. However, it isn’t always possible to predict how other road users will behave and hazards can seem to arise out of nowhere. Due to this, make sure you know what your rights are and that you’re aware of how to respond if an accident does occur.
