If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, your first priority should be always be tending to your health and safety. But you should also take steps to protect your legal rights.
Evidence can disappear or inadvertently be destroyed during an investigation, and passing time tends to cloud the recollections of all involved. It’s important that you act quickly to protect your legal rights, especially if you’ve suffered significant injuries.
Below are ten things victims should do following their accidents, which could ultimately be beneficial to injury claims.
What Should I Do after Being Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
#1: Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If medical attention is not required at the scene of the accident, then you should get checked out as soon as possible. Sometimes injuries aren’t immediately evident, and even serious injuries may take 24-48 hours to show symptoms otherwise.
#2: Contact Law Enforcement
However, if an ambulance isn’t required at the scene of the crash, then this should be the first thing done.
#3: Obtain Contact Info For Everyone Involved
It’s imperative that you gather information from everyone involved in the accident, including:
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Names of drivers;
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Telephone numbers;
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Names of insurance companies;
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Driver’s license numbers; and
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License plate numbers.
#4: Take pictures, Making Sure to Get Shots of:
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Different angles of the scene;
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The damaged vehicles;
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Visible injuries; and
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Anything else that may be of relevance (such as wet pavement).
#5: Get Statements from Witnesses
Also be sure to write down their names and telephone numbers in case they need to be contacted later.
#6: File a Claim With Your Insurance Company
Share just the basics of what happened, sticking to the facts.
#7: Document Events Just Before and During the Accident
Record as many details as possible; even the smallest one could significantly impact a claim.
#8: Keep an Accident Journal
Write about any pain you have and how it differs day to day. Keep track of doctor appointments. Note time missed from work and any other inconveniences, large or small, caused by your injuries.
#10: Seek Legal Counsel
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help establish potential liable parties and will handle the entire claims process. At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, PLLC our lawyers know exactly how to approach a motorcycle accident case. We know how drivers often overlook or neglect to account for motorcyclists on the road, and we’re here to stand up for your rights. We’re located in Dallas and serve all of Texas. For a free consultation give us a call today at (800) 489-5082
By: Kay Van Wey | December 16th, 2015