What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
No driver expects to be the victim of an accident. On a motorcycle, the risks can be much more severe. If you find yourself victim to a motorcycle accident, Massachusetts law requires you to stop, call the police, and exchange information with any other drivers involved. However, if you sustained injuries from the accident, make sure you seek medical attention immediately.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
The risks of being injured in an accident are significantly hire for motorcyclists. Even if you don’t think you sustained serious injuries from the accident, never refuse medical attention. Injuries, such as to your head, may have a long-term impact on your health that is hard to see when you first get injured.
For any medical attention that you receive after a motorcycle accident, keep records. If you decide to seek compensation for your injuries from the accident, it is important to keep any supporting documentation and evidence that you can, including medical records and bills.
Identify Witnesses to the Motorcycle Accident
If there are any witnesses on the scene of the accident, make sure that they speak with the police, and you are able to identify them yourself if possible. These witness statements can be used for insurance and any other compensation that you may seek from the accident.
A witness statement can be the difference between receiving compensation for your accident and getting your claim denied. They can help prove whose fault the crash was and how much damage was caused by the accident. If the accident was not your fault, this type of statement could be used strongly in your favor.
Contact an Attorney as Soon as Possible
Never delay contacting an attorney after a motorcycle accident. The biggest reason to contact them immediately is so that they can determine whether there is any supporting documentation or evidence that you should collect immediately.
An experienced attorney has been through the process of seeking compensation for a motorcycle accident before. They are already thinking ahead of you in terms of what you need to help your case. When you contact an attorney immediately, you are setting yourself up for the best chance at receiving compensation.
A motorcycle accident can also cause emotional stress on a victim. You may not be thinking about legal action right away, especially for serious accidents that caused severe amounts of damage. Having an attorney represent you can help you plan for your next steps while you focus on recovery. They can guide you through the entire legal proceedings and make sure that you are keeping track of anything that may help your case.
On the scene of an accident, the police may ask you for a statement. If, for example, you sustained a head injury during that accident that resulted in slight loss of consciousness, you may not be in the best position to give a full, detailed statement to police. Calling an attorney as soon as possible allows them to guide you through how to handle these situations, so it doesn’t hurt your case later on.
What Is the Average Payout for a Motorcycle Accident?
The payout for a personal injury settlement after a motorcycle accident will be determined by a number of factors including:
- Cost of treatment for your injuries
- Compensation for emotional pain and suffering
- The extent of your injuries
- If your injuries prevent you from performing your job
- The duration of your injuries
- The cost of damage from the accident
Keeping track of any bills that you collect as a result of the accident, including medical bills and bills for treating emotional trauma, can help support your claim. Never neglect supporting evidence, no matter how small it may seem. Your personal injury attorney can go through all the supporting documentation you have and determine what you will need for a claim.
How Likely Is a Motorcycle Accident?
5,579 motorcyclists died from accidents in 2020 alone. This does not include the number of motorcycle crashes in total that there are throughout the United States each year. The likelihood of fatality or serious injuries from a motorcycle accident is significantly higher than for cars since your body could be thrown from your vehicle upon impact.
You should always be prepared for what might happen if you are ever in an accident. Drivers don’t expect to be part of a motorcycle accident, but it can happen to anyone. Even the best drivers can fall victim to accidents that are not their fault. Make sure you are always prepared on what your next steps should be in the event of an accident.
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