The Do’s and Don’ts at a Motorcycle Accident Scene
With the rise in motorcycle accidents, please be cautious about your safety. An accident can change many aspects of your life or cause long-term injuries. Also, preparation for such situations is paramount since you can’t tell when you might be involved in one. Explore the do’s and don’ts at a motorcycle accident scene to protect your legal rights.
Do’s
You don’t always expect to be involved in an accident, so knowing valuable information is paramount. Don’t let your guard down when a motorcycle crash occurs. Instead, take the important steps discussed below.
Call 911
The Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends that you alert the highway patrol or the police, especially if there are injured parties. The law enforcement agency will contact a medical team and inspect the accident scene. When the police arrive, relay all details and only give a true account of what you saw and experienced. A police report is crucial evidence if you file a claim against a negligent motorist.
Take Videos and Photos
Take clear pictures and record videos of the scene if that doesn’t endanger you. Accident reconstruction professionals use pictures and videos to piece together the details and ascertain who is at fault. You would be better off if you captured the photos at different angles for clarity.
Get the Contact Details of Other Parties
Collect the contact information of motorists and eyewitnesses before you leave the scene. Focus more on the address, insurance information, and phone number of the at-fault motorcyclist. Eyewitnesses are important if you want the negligent or at-fault motorist to account for your injuries or losses.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
- Hire an attorney immediately to protect your legal rights and allow them to gather evidence to prove your case.
- Your injuries and damages are a result of the accident
If you can’t contact an attorney at the scene, please do so the soonest you can.
Don’ts
After an accident, some actions compromise your right to compensation for harm. For example, if you tell the police that you aren’t injured, and the injury manifests later, you may find it hard to prove that your injuries resulted from the accident.
Understanding what to avoid after an accident is just as important as what to do after one, so here are the things you shouldn’t do.
Don’t Refuse or Delay Medical Help
Even if you don’t feel any pain or have visible injuries, let the medics do the necessary tests. Some injuries have a delayed onset, for example, traumatic brain injury. You wouldn’t want to jeopardize your health, so a medical examination is paramount. Also, the medical reports are critical to proving your injuries in a lawsuit.
Don’t Post Information Online
You likely want to share your experience, ask for information, or inform your relatives and friends about your situation. Whichever reason, don’t reference or post about your accident. Defense attorneys for the at-fault motorist’s insurers could use that information against your injury claims. In addition, your posts can be interpreted in ways to dispute your claim.
Don’t Apologize
A motorcycle accident is a chaotic experience that will probably disorient and frustrate you. You may feel the urge to apologize even if the accident isn’t your fault in the heart of the moment. Apologies jeopardize your chances of receiving compensation. The insurance company uses your apologies against you as evidence of culpability. Note that you might still receive compensation but of a lower amount.
Conclusion
If you suffer harm in a motorcycle crash, Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney help you explore your legal recourse action. You get an expert to build a solid case, negotiate with the insurers, and ensure you get compensation for injuries. Please don’t delay personal injury claims; contact us today for excellent representation.