Did you know that in 2019, 84,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents? As a motorcyclist, it’s imperative that you take all proper precautions and drive cautiously while riding your bike. However, accidents can happen through no fault of your own.
When you’re involved in a road traffic accident, it can leave you feeling shocked and confused. You may not know what you should do next when you’re in that situation. If you need help understanding the steps you should take after a motorcycle accident, take a look below.
Get to Safety
Staying near your motorcycle could put you in more danger. As soon as you’re able to, you should move to a safe spot, out of the way of any oncoming traffic. If you’re feeling faint or you’re finding it difficult to concentrate, sit down where it’s safe and call the emergency services.
Both police and paramedics must arrive at the scene, even if you feel well. They will be able to assess the situation more clearly and create written reports that will be of value to you later on. Getting a police report is vital for making a personal injury claim.
Remain in Your Protective Gear
It may be tempting to remove your protective gear after being in an accident but you should keep it on. Some people who have been injured don’t realize it until they’ve been seen by medical professionals. Your protective gear could still be protecting you and removing it could worsen your injuries.
Wait for the emergency services to arrive and the paramedics will guide you on when and how your protective gear should be removed. This includes your helmet, as all too often motorcyclists receive injuries to the head and neck.
Talk to the Police
When the police arrive on the scene, it’s your chance to tell your version of what happened. Tell the police exactly what you remember and be careful to not embellish your story. If the motorcycle crash was the fault of someone else, the smallest embellishment could come back to haunt you later on.
If you intend on making a personal injury law claim at a later date, the police report will be used as evidence.
Receive Medical Care
Did you know that shock and adrenaline can mask the pain? Some people make the mistake of thinking they’re uninjured because they don’t feel pain in the few hours after being involved in an accident. It’s only after seeking medical attention that the true extent of their injuries is revealed.
As soon as you’re able to, get checked over by a medical professional. If you do have a motorcycle injury, it will be noted in a medical report which can also be used as evidence in a personal injury claim.
Gather Evidence at the Motorcycle Accident Scene
It’s not surprising that this is often the last thing on anyone’s mind after being injured in an accident but photographic evidence could help your case. If you’re able to, take photos of the crash scene and the damage to the vehicles. If you’re not feeling well enough to do this, ask a friend or family member to do it for you.
These pictures could help your lawyer present evidence that clearly shows the accident wasn’t your fault. If there are any witnesses present at the scene, ask them for their contact details and if they would be willing to give a statement to the police.
Begin Your Recovery
Recovering from a motorcycle accident will take time and patience. Being involved in an accident doesn’t just have physical repercussions. You may find that you’re traumatized and will have to recover mentally and emotionally too.
Depending on your injuries, you may need to make adjustments to your home to ensure you can remain independent through your recovery. Keep track of the amount of time you need to take off work to recover and the wages you lose because of it. It’s also important to keep receipts from any medical expenses you have to pay, like medication.
You may be able to claim financial compensation to cover lost wages, property damage, and medical bills.
Find a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve suffered an injury from a motorcycle accident because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve to seek justice. At Fontana Injury Law Group, we can help you seek financial compensation for what you’ve been through. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis which means you don’t have to pay anything until we’ve won your case.
You can contact us for information with no obligation to hire us and no consultation fees. We have a 99% success rate and we believe that every client we take on deserves to be compensated. Allow us to take the weight off your shoulders and fight your corner while you concentrate on a full recovery.
Obtain Justice For Your Motorcycle Accident
Being involved in a motorcycle accident can affect you physically, emotionally, and mentally. Getting justice is often the only way to reestablish trust in yourself and others. Perhaps it will take you some time before you want to get back on your bike but making a personal injury claim is a good place to start.
Any compensation you receive could help you to pay off debts incurred from medical expenses or other injury-related costs. If you’d like us to start working on your claim, contact us today for more information.
