Motorcycle accidents can happen to people on motorcycles when another rider or driver of a larger vehicle behaves negligently behind the wheel and hits a motorcyclist. Some negligent behavior that can cause motorcycle accidents includes speeding, distracted driving, and road rage. A motorcycle accident can expose a motorcyclist to intense pressure and harm, leading to catastrophic damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Following a motorcycle accident, you may need clarification as to what you should do next, as you have to deal with your severe injuries and the financial fallout of the accident. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help walk you through the process following the accident, including what claims process steps can help you recover compensation for your damages.
Contact the Police After a Motorcycle Accident
One of the first things you should do after a motorcycle accident is to call the police to report the motorcycle accident. Most states require those involved in automobile accidents to report the accident to law enforcement by calling 911 and awaiting a responding officer. After the motorcycle accident, leave your motorcycle at the site of the accident, keep on protective equipment, and move to a safe location to wait.
The responding officer will survey the scene and collect statements from those involved and any witnesses to the accident to get an accurate report of what happened. The following is some of the information a police officer will include in a motorcycle accident police report:
- The date and time of the motorcycle accident
- The exact location where the motorcycle accident took place
- The names of those involved in the motorcycle accident
- What damages occurred to the motorcycle, other vehicles, and surrounding property
- What motorcycle accident injuries did those involved suffer
- Statements about what happened from those involved and witnesses
- Environmental factors that contributed to the motorcycle accident
Collect Evidence at the Scene of a Motorcycle Accident
The scene of the motorcycle accident will have plenty of evidence that you can collect that can help future attempts at pursuing compensation. Take pictures and videos of the motorcycle accident scene to showcase the impact of the collision and the surrounding factors that could have contributed to the accident.
Taking pictures of traffic control signals in the background of the accident can help to establish negligent behavior. For example, if you were in a motorcycle accident caused by a speeding driver that ran a red light, you should take a picture of the red light, the intersection where the accident happened, and the damage caused by the motorcycle accident.
The following are some of the pieces of evidence you can take pictures of at the scene of the motorcycle accident:
- Motorcycle accident damages
- Motorcycle accident injuries you suffered
- Road conditions that contributed to the motorcycle accident
- Traffic control signals
- Damage to surrounding property
- Skid marks
Receive Medical Treatment for Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Following a motorcycle accident, you need to focus on your health by going to the hospital. While there, a healthcare professional can perform diagnostic tests to determine what injuries you suffered, if the injuries are severe, and what steps need to be taken to treat the injuries.
You should go to the hospital even if you feel you do not feel like you suffered a severe injury, as some injuries may have delayed symptoms. A healthcare professional can identify your injury and begin treatment before the injury causes more severe complications.
The following are some of the motorcycle accident injuries you can suffer that a doctor can diagnose and treat:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Facial injury
- Lower extremity injuries
- Knee injury
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Burns
- Shoulder injuries
- Infections
- Back and neck injuries
- Internal injury
Keep Detailed Notes About What Happened During the Motorcycle Accident
It can be difficult to remember all of the details of what happened during a motorcycle accident. While a police report can help, it will include more general information. You may need to remember more specific details that you will not find on a police report, which you can keep track of by writing a detailed account of the motorcycle accident.
When you are home from your hospital trip, you should write down every detail you can remember. These details can include what you were doing at the time of the motorcycle accident, how the negligent party was behaving, and factors that could have contributed to the motorcycle accident. It’s essential to keep your story straight so there is nothing that conflicts when telling it multiple times. This detailed account of the motorcycle accident can help to establish what happened during the motorcycle accident from your perspective.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You Recover Damages?
One of the most vital steps following a motorcycle accident is hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer with experience that can help with the claims process. You likely will be too inexperienced in handling motorcycle accident claims to avoid mistakes that can limit your compensation.
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer can help to alleviate the stress of motorcycle accident litigation and allow you to focus on your recovery. When determining who to hire as your motorcycle accident attorney, you should do your research on the goals of the lawyer’s firm, consult online reviews, and take advantage of free consultations.
Once you hire a motorcycle accident attorney, they can send out the demand letter, collect evidence, speak to expert witnesses, and negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company. An insurer will likely try to deny, delay, or devalue your claim to keep its profits up. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can see through attempts to limit your settlement and mitigate its effect. Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer can help put you in the best position to recover compensation for damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and loss of consortium.
Contact the Russo Firm for Help With Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
At The Russo Firm, we have personal injury lawyers with specific experience in helping motorcycle accident victims. Motorcycle accident lawyers from places across the United States, such as Orlando, New York, and Dallas, can handle the claims process in a way that can maximize a motorcycle accident victim’s potential for compensation. Whether you were struck by a motorcycle or larger vehicle, our motorcycle accident lawyers can assist you by assessing your current and future damages, determining the at-fault party, and negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
The motorcycle accident lawyers at The Russo Firm offer free consultations to potential clients to show how they can help handle the motorcycle accident claims process. Contact us at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page for a free motorcycle accident claim consultation.
