A motorcycle ride is a thrilling experience on a weekend adventure along a scenic route, especially in a state renowned for its spectacular mountain vistas. Motorcycles are also a gas-friendly way to drive to work or school. While motorcyclists love the unbeatable exhilaration of an open-air, two-wheeled ride, the unenclosed design of a motorcycle leaves riders vulnerable to grave injuries in a crash—especially one involving a vehicle weighing an average of 4,000 pounds.
A motorcycle accident is terrifying and traumatic, especially if it leaves the rider with serious injuries, but it’s important to take purposeful action to protect yourself after a motorcycle crash and to streamline the process of a motorcycle accident claim.
What to Do at the Scene of the Accident
After a serious accident, you could be too gravely injured to move safely. You could even be unconscious and unable to do anything but wait for help to arrive. If you can use your phone safely, you can quickly preserve important evidence while waiting for help, even from sitting up in your position. You can also ask someone else to use a phone for you. At the scene of the motorcycle accident, do the following:
- First, move out of traffic to a safe location if you’re able and call 911 to ask for emergency services
- Snap photos of your damaged motorcycle before it’s moved from its position
- Take photos of any involved vehicles
- Photograph the scene of the accident, including anything relevant you can capture without moving or causing further injury, like an intersection, traffic signal, or road hazard
- Add the contact information of anyone involved
- Add the contact information of eyewitnesses
Getting eyewitness information is a critical component of proving an at-fault driver’s negligence in places where no traffic or surveillance cameras captured the accident. If you have time to make a quick recording, it’s helpful to record a statement about what you remember about the accident while it’s still fresh in your mind. After a traumatic experience, the memory sometimes fades within hours.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle accident victim should always go directly to the hospital from the accident site, preferably in the ambulance. If you think your injuries are minor, you should still go to the hospital by arranging transportation from the scene as soon as the police clear you to leave. Undergo a thorough medical evaluation at the hospital and tell the provider about any symptoms you experience even if they are minor. This helps the doctor to identify and promptly address any internal injuries with delayed symptoms. Ask for a detailed medical report with a list of your injuries, your doctor’s recommendations for your treatment, and your prognosis for recovery.
Navigating a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Always ask for a copy of the police report and your medical report after a motorcycle accident. Be sure to keep copies of all medical bills and receipts. Do not speak to the insurance adjuster assigned to your case until after you’ve hired an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to represent your interests. A Westminster motorcycle accident attorney can help you get the most from your claim by thoroughly investigating the accident, documenting evidence of the negligent party’s liability, and negotiating with the insurance adjuster for the highest amount of compensation available to you.