What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

what should you do after a motorcycle accident

Accidents are everywhere regardless of how cautious we are on the road. That’s not to mention the psychological effects like panic and anxiety that can happen after an incident.

As drivers, we should not allow this to get the best of us when we do find ourselves in such a situation. While we have the training and undergone practical driving courses, even mastered California Motorcycle Laws, it is still important to know: what should you do after a motorcycle accident?

According to the data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there is an increase of 10.5% in the number of fatalities in motorcycle crashes nationwide for the year 2021. An estimate of 42,915 people died in 2021, while 38,824 individuals died in 2020.

In addition, the year 2021 represents the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the highest annual percentage increase in the recorded history of data in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Preliminary data reported by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) show that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2021 increased by about 325.2 billion miles, or about an 11.2% increase as compared to 2020.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the new comprehensive National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS), which is a road map for addressing the national crisis in roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Research shows that almost 95% of the nation’s transportation deaths occur on its streets, roads, and highways. The NRSS provides concrete steps that the Department will take to address this crisis systemically and prevent these tragic and avoidable events.

What To Do After A Motorbike Crash

Negligent drivers who are reckless on the road might cause a crash, and you could be at the receiving end of the pain and damage. So what should you do after a motorcycle accident?

1. Do not panic. Calm down.

Nothing good will come out of panic, and it will certainly not help in figuring out what to do after a motorcycle crash. The more stressed you feel, the more you can’t process the situation. Try to stay calm and assess your physical and mental state, as well as your surroundings, first. Also, check your passengers and find out if there’s any bodily injury among them and damage to your vehicle.

2. Check for injuries.

Check your condition if you experience pain in the head, back, shoulder, legs, abdomen, and other common injuries. If this is a light crash, be sure to tend your bruises using your first aid kit. If you don’t have a kit, you can wait for emergency medical services to arrive. In addition, check your passengers if they feel pain so they can be treated or rushed to the nearest hospital. These details are vital to your accident report and, later, your claim for damages. 

3. Stay at the scene of the accident and call 911.

You should not leave the premises to ensure that there would be no tampering with evidence. It is necessary to ensure that these are preserved. After the motorcycle incident, call 911 or ask someone to call the emergency services. If you cannot do it yourself, ask the bystanders or anyone who is at the scene. Remember to stay put if you think you need immediate treatment.

4. Leave your helmet and safety gear on.

The common mistake of motorcycle riders is removing their helmet after an accident. There might be internal injuries that can lead to serious problems later on. To be safe, you must limit your movement and wait for the arrival of the medical team. Keep your helmets on!

5. Seek medical attention.

There might be life-threatening injuries sustained from the incident. So what should you do after a motorcycle accident? Have yourself checked first to assure that you have no broken bones or any serious physical injury. Some even cannot be seen by the eyes alone and will require thorough professional assessments and x-rays.

6. Exchange information with the other driver peacefully.

Talk calmly as you exchange information with the other driver and other involved vehicles if any. What you can usually expect after a motorcycle accident is drivers having a row over who was at fault. Speak calmly. Heated arguments will lead to further misunderstanding.

7. Record and take photos of the scene.

For legal and insurance purposes, take photos of the scene and record the incident. You will need evidence to back up your claims. If there are witnesses, ask them to take videos and photos. You can also look for video recordings from nearby vehicles or premises that might have caught the motorcycle wreck on camera.

8. Get details from witnesses if there are any.

Ask for firsthand witness accounts and statements to further support your claims. Remember, gathering documentation like photos and video recordings of the accident scene is as important as filing a police report and securing the written and verbal statements. These are part of what you should do after a motorcycle accident.

9. Observe the behavior of the other driver.

What to expect after a motorcycle accident? Expect that most motor vehicle drivers will not accept liability, with some even going as far as fleeing from the responsibilities. To ensure that you will be compensated for the injuries, property damage, and inconvenience, assess the at-fault driver immediately for any signs that they might drive off and avoid accountability. This is why it’s important to get the other driver’s details immediately after an accident and obtain photo and video evidence so you have them on record just in case, especially if law enforcement officers haven’t arrived at the scene yet. 

10. Contact a motorcycle accident law firm.

To avoid lowball offers from insurance companies — because they will definitely shortchange you — you need an experienced lawyer on your side. Call Motorcyclist Attorney and hold the negligent drivers accountable. Before getting in touch with insurance companies, be sure to speak to secure legal representation first.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney like Motorcyclist Attorney will help you file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in California and represent you in getting the maximum compensation and medical treatment. The legal process can be intimidating and daunting, and insurance adjusters will be relentless in lowering your claims. An experienced attorney will represent you against the at-fault driver, get you medical care, and obtain compensation for damages. 

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident? Call Motorcyclist Attorney

Schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer from Motorcyclist Attorney today to learn more about filing a personal injury claim and other legal options. You do not have to worry about the fees. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we help you recover fair compensation. Now is the time to call our law firm at 844-2849437!

Waiting will only hurt your case. Don’t let insurance companies wear you down. You need a motorcycle accident lawyer who is genuinely after your welfare. Get quality medical care and the justice that you deserve with Motorcyclist Attorney. We are available 24/7 and will come to you wherever you are in California. We speak English and Spanish.

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