Injuries caused by a motorcycle accident can be devastating because, unlike car drivers, bikers aren’t protected by seatbelts, airbags, and a reinforced steel exterior. In some cases, even the most careful riders often find themselves in unavoidable crashes. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident and are lucky to have survived, you need to remain calm and take the necessary steps to avoid further harm. Here is a guide to help you understand all you need to do in case of a motorcycle accident.
Get to Safety
First and foremost, you must do your best to analyze the situation and check for injuries if you have any. If you are not seriously injured, try to move to a safe place and pull your bike away from the road so that it does not distract other traffic. If you are unable to do this, ask for help and immediately seek medical assistance. If you can, it is essential to check if anyone else has been injured in the accident. If someone is hurt, try to move them to safety and offer first aid if you can.
Soon after the crash, some injuries may not be apparent, or you might not feel any pain as a result of the shock. Therefore, you must not remove your protective apparel like your gloves, helmet, and boots to avoid worsening your injuries. Try to relax while you wait for paramedics to arrive at the crash site.
Call the Police
After you have moved to safety, call the police to report the accident. The police and the paramedics may come to the crash scene depending on the severity of your injuries. When law enforcement arrives, they will conduct investigations to ascertain the cause of the accident. More importantly, you must never admit liability in a motorcycle accident since the information can be used against you, and you are not in the state to accurately assess the situation. The traffic officers will also write a police report, and you should always ask for a copy to use for filing a personal injury claim.
Seek Medical Attention
You may not feel any pain after the accident, and you may be under the false impression that everything is fine. However, there is a danger that internal injuries, in particular, can manifest later. Therefore, it is always a good idea to visit a doctor to examine your condition. The physician will also write a medical report that will determine the damages; this can be used to ensure you get the compensation you deserve when you file a claim.
Consult an Accident Injury Lawyer
You must consult an accident injury lawyer after a motorcycle crash. If you live in Western Australia where bike insurance is mandatory, your lawyer can play a pivotal role in helping you file a vehicle injury claim, and will negotiate for a reasonable settlement with the insurance company on your behalf. Specialized attorneys have experience in dealing with these types of cases and often offer free consultations to their clients. Additionally, you will not pay any upfront legal fee if you enlist the services of a professional attorney because most of them work on a contingency basis. In other words, you will not pay them anything if you lose your case.
Gather Evidence
The other crucial step that you should take is to gather necessary evidence soon after the motorcycle crash. You must take pictures at the crash site and take testimonies from the witnesses around. You also need to gather vital information from traffic officers who attend the accident scene.
Call Your Insurance Company
Soon after a motorcycle accident, you should call your insurance agent and notify them about the incident. You must provide them with all the evidence that you have gathered at the accident scene. You should never accept responsibility even if you are talking to an agent from your insurance company. Insurance companies are in business, and they may not offer you the compensation you deserve if you were also at fault in the accident.
Remember the Statute of Limitations
In every state, there is a time limit for filing a compensation claim or a lawsuit. Therefore, you should not wait too long to sue for damages. In most states, the victim has two years to file a claim from the date of the accident. If you fail to file a claim before the expiry date of the statute of limitations, you may lose your legal rights to get any settlement for your injuries. You should quickly reach your personal injury attorney to help you file a claim for damages so that you do not miss the deadline.
A motorcycle accident can lead to severe injuries that can significantly impact your life in many ways. If you are involved in a crash, you are entitled to claim compensation for your injuries from the liable entities. To get the settlement you deserve, refer to this guide to understand what you should do after a motorcycle accident. Remember, working with a professional accident attorney key to increasing your chances of getting a fair settlement.
