Suggested Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Although remaining vigilant and following traffic laws reduce your risk of getting into a motorcycle accident, you can’t dictate how surrounding motorists will behave.
If you get hit by a passing car, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. To help your chances of receiving a favorable settlement from the at-fault driver or their insurer later, take the following steps after the crash.
What to Do if You’ve Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident
Call 911
The adrenaline rush following the crash can delay the pain and discomfort associated with your injuries. Even if you feel OK, call 911. Fractures, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage are a few common injuries motorcycle riders sustain in accidents. Paramedics will arrive at the scene and perform emergency treatment and transport you to the hospital if further assistance is deemed necessary.
Don’t take off protective gear while waiting for help to arrive, as moving your arms, neck, head, or legs could make the injuries worse. The at-fault driver and their insurer could try to use this information against you, claiming your actions exacerbated the problem.
Gather Evidence
Law enforcement will write an official traffic crash report, which includes the names of the parties involved, a description of the scene, and the officers’ impression of what happened. Later, be sure to contact your state’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for a copy to give your attorney as evidence.
To further support your claim, take photos of your injuries, road conditions, motorcycle damage, and other scenes from the crash site. To file a claim, you’ll need the names, contact information, and insurance details of those involved in the collision.
Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses, too, as they will be called on to describe what happened. Copies of medical records are valuable for describing the severity of your injuries and determining your recovery plan.
Keep Bills, Pay Stubs, & Receipts
Injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can be debilitating, making it difficult or impossible to earn a living. Mounting medical bills can add to the financial burden. For these reasons, keep an updated, detailed ledger of all accident-related expenses.
Gather doctor bills, treatment and home health care invoices, prescription receipts, and pay stubs as well. Your personal injury attorney will use this information as the basis for the settlement amount to request from the at-fault party or their insurer. If a settlement can’t be reached, your expenses will be considered when the court determines how much you’re owed in damages.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, contact the attorneys at The Law Offices of Gallner & Pattermann in Council Bluffs, IA, for help. The injury attorneys have been helping clients in Pottawattamie County receive compensation to aid their recovery after whole-body injuries sustained in motorcycle, car, and construction accidents caused by the negligence and carelessness of others.
Meet the legal representatives online and call (712) 323-0999 to schedule an initial consultation.