The Best Steps to Take after a Motorcycle Accident
Someone else’s negligence has caused you to be injured in a motorcycle accident, and you are very likely unsure about what to do next. After all, motorcycle accidents tend to be violent, terrifying events that leave their victims dazed – at best. While every motorcycle accident is unique to the sequence of events involved, there are some reasonably universal steps that every victim of a motorcycle accident should take.
First Things First: Seek Medical Attention
You are well-advised to seek medical attention after a motorcycle accident. This is true even if the accident was relatively minor, and you do not think you were seriously hurt. The fact is that, because you might have nothing other than your motorcycle helmet to absorb the impact of the accident, your injuries may be more severe than you realize, and it is always better to be safe than sorry. Further, some injuries can hide in plain sight until they become more pronounced, more serious, and more challenging to treat. Finally, it is essential to take your doctor’s orders seriously and do follow them carefully. Doing this is the right thing to do for your health and the smart thing to do for your claim – the more seriously you take your injuries, the more seriously the insurance company will be required to take them.
Help Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you are able to help gather evidence at the scene of the motorcycle accident, it is an excellent idea to do so. If you are too injured to participate, someone at the scene is almost certain to do so on your behalf. Focus your efforts on the following:
Take pictures or videos of the accident itself from every angle possible.
Take pictures or videos of any mitigating circumstances that may have contributed to the accident, including the condition of the road, obstacles to clear vision, the effects of inclement weather, and more.
Take statements from eyewitnesses at the scene and record their contact information.
Record how the accident happened (according to your memory) as soon as possible. Doing this will help you reinforce your recollection of relevant details as your claim proceeds.
Keep in Mind
There are several essential points you should keep in mind as you move forward with your claim:
Keep your comments at the scene to a minimum. Truthfully and succinctly answer only those questions posed to you by the officer on the scene.
Stay off social media (or at least refrain from commenting about your accident) until your claim is resolved.
Most importantly of all, consult with an experienced Killeen personal injury attorney sooner rather than later.