Motorcycles are much more dangerous than cars, but there are still plenty of them out on the road. It is understandable that many people are passionate about riding motorcycles, but if you decide to, you need to know what to do if there is an accident. Here is a small checklist of things you should do if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
The most important thing to do is to see if anyone was injured in the accident. Start by checking yourself first to make sure you are not critically injured. Then, move to any passengers in your vehicle. Finally, check on those in the other vehicle. If care is needed do not hesitate to call 911 to get an ambulance to the scene.
Call the Police
You should always call the police to the scene of an accident. This is crucial for a few reasons. First, you want to make sure everyone there is courteous of one another. You also will need the police report if you decide to file a suit against the negligent party at a later date. The police report will give great details of what happened, as well as an unbiased eye at the scene of the accident.
Exchange Information
Next, you need to make sure to exchange information with the other people involved in the accident. Get their insurance information, license plate number, contact information, and anything else you may need in the future. It is also wise to take note of any details like what the person looks like and their vehicle make and model. This information could be useful in the future.
Take Photographs of the Accident Scene
If you are able to, it never hurts to have photographs as evidence for your case. If you are uninjured and at a safe place in the road, you should take some pictures of the scene of the accident to have on hand. These could be used in court in the future.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you do not think you were injured in the accident, it is crucial to go to the doctor to get evaluated in the days following your accident. Your primary care physician will take notes about what happened and will have documentation of you being involved in an accident in case you have issues down the road. Some injuries take time to surface, which is why you need to be evaluated by a professional after being in an accident. He or she will be able to see if there is anything unusual and take notes about what happened and how your body could begin to hurt in the weeks to come.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Finally, you should contact a motorcycle accident attorney like one from David & Philpot, P.L., so that you have representation for your case. Your attorney will speak with insurance agents on your behalf to see if settling could be an option and offer advice moving forward for your case. Don’t hesitate — there is a statute of limitations in place that can expire if you do not file quickly enough.