The National Safety Council reports 6,218 motorcycle crash deaths, equating to 26.16 per 100 million vehicle miles. Victims of motorcycle accidents are mostly left in shock from the accident itself; afterward, filing a case against the offender and seeking compensation may not be easy for them.
As one motorcycle accident attorney in South Carolina says, most riders realize that motorcycle accidents are quite common. Because motorcycles do not have many of the safety features of cars and trucks, motorcycle accidents often cause serious or fatal injuries.
Below are the necessary steps to be taken after involvement in a motorcycle accident.
Safety first, seek medical attention.
Right after involvement in a motorcycle accident, your safety should be number one on your list of priorities. First, check yourself for injuries, then survey your surroundings, looking out for possible hazards. Move your car to a safer location in order to reduce the risk of collisions or other accidents.
Check the people around you who were present in case of an accident. If your companion or friend is seriously injured, immediately call the ambulance. Get yourself checked right away even if you think you have minor injuries. The symptoms of some kinds of injury may be delayed and will require a qualified check-up for proper detection and treatment.
According to the website https://blakejoneslaw.com/, the root cause of most motorcycle accidents is driver negligence. Driver negligence may be in many forms such as distracted driving, speeding, and violation of traffic laws. Negligence is defined as an act of not showing proper care in a particular situation.
Document the Accident Scene
Documenting the accident scene will provide you with the information you require for your legal claim and insurance process. First, take clear snapshots of the scene, damage to the vehicle, skid marks, and any highway signs near the scene of the crime. Take every angle that will help in substantiating your claim.
Take note of the time, date, and weather condition during the incident. These give more context and detail to help your case. If there are people who have witnessed the incident, take note of their names and information. Their stories and testimonies add credibility to your claim.
Jot down everything you remember while it is still fresh in your head. Unless memories of what happened are written down shortly after the accident, the quality could deteriorate by means of gaps, inaccuracies, and omissions. Even broken debris from the accident can serve as evidence, so include that in your documentation.
Contact the Police and Make a Report
Remember that you have to call the police right away so that they can prepare a police report for your injury claim as soon as possible. You must call 911 or the local office of law enforcement authorities and inform them as to the address where the incident took place.
When police and emergency services arrive, describe in detail exactly what happened, giving them all the details and facts. Avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as speculation or an admission of fault. The police will investigate the scene of the accident, obtain witness statements, and write up a report.
A police report is an official report you can use in escalating your case. In organizing documents and evidence, include the police report with the rest of the papers concerning the accident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After your motorcycle accident, contact your insurance company and make an immediate report of the incident to verify your coverage for property damage or an injury.
Collect all documents you have related to the accident. This may include a police report, if one was filed; names of any witnesses; and photographs from the scene. If you phone your insurance company, describe exactly what happened and who, in your judgment, was at fault. Your insurer will instruct you as to next steps and will let you know if further information is required.
Describe any pain you are experiencing and the damage to your motorcycle. Be sure to document the name of the insurance representative and the date you spoke with them.
Consider Legal Representation
After reporting the incident to the insurance company, seek advice from a motorcycle accident lawyer who will be able to take care of all the legal-related parts of your case.
All evidence needed for your case will be gathered by the attorney, who will determine damages and take care of dealing with the claim adjusters. With an attorney on your behalf, you can focus on your recovery while your attorney protects your rights from the other party’s efforts to prove that the accident was your fault.
That, therefore, means seeking the attention of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, which will play a significant role in the settlement of your claim. He’ll be able to guide you through the process and help you receive the compensation you deserve.