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A motorcycle accident can be a traumatic experience. The other driver’s insurance company will often try to avoid responsibility for your injuries by claiming you were at fault or their driver didn’t cause any damage.
It’s essential to get accurate information about what happened as soon as possible after an accident so you can protect yourself from falling into these traps and ensure proper compensation for all damages sustained.
Here are some steps you can take after a motorcycle accident to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Call the police.
If you are in an accident, call 911 and ask for police assistance. When the officers arrive on the scene, explain what happened and let them know if anyone was injured or if there were witnesses to the accident.
If the other driver left before you could get their information (name, phone number), provide it to the officers so they can contact them later.
Catania & Catania motorcycle accident lawyers in Bradenton, FL can help you recover the compensation you deserve if you’ve been involved in an accident.
Get your injuries treated.
Once you’ve been treated for your injuries, you must ensure they’re properly documented. You should get an X-ray and a copy of your medical records from the hospital or doctor’s office where you were treated. If possible, request copies of any police reports related to your accident.
In addition to keeping track of medical expenses incurred due to injuries sustained in an accident, these documents can help prove who was at fault in a dispute over liability later on after insurance companies start paying out claims.
Exchange information with the other driver.
The first thing you want to do after a motorcycle accident is exchange information with the other driver. Ask for their name, address, phone number, and insurance information–and write down everything they tell you.
Then ask them for their license plate number so you can get it from police who arrive on the scene (or later on). Finally, have them sign that neither party feels at fault for causing or contributing to the crash.
Seek legal advice.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, seeking legal advice from a skilled attorney is essential. A good lawyer can help you understand your rights and ensure you get compensation for your injuries.
You should contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident to start building your case. The sooner you do this, the better chance there is of finding witnesses who can provide valuable information about what happened at the scene of your crash. If they aren’t available right away (or ever), keeping records of their contact information so they can be reached later on will also be helpful!
When choosing which lawyer(s) will represent you against any potential defendants after an accident involving two vehicles driven by humans who can make decisions based on emotions instead of logic.
Take photos of the accident scene.
After you’ve checked yourself for injuries and assessed the damage to your bike, it’s time to take pictures of the scene. These photos are important because they can be used later in court to prove that the other driver was at fault.
Take photos of:
- The other driver’s name and license plate number (if possible)
- Your bike, including any damage or visible injuries from impact with another vehicle or object (such as trees)
- Any witnesses or people who might have seen what happened
Get repairs done to your bike if needed.
If your motorcycle has been damaged in an accident – get it repaired as soon as possible. If you’re unsure how to do this yourself and your bike needs to be fixed by a professional, find someone who knows what they are doing and trusts them to fix the problem.
If your motorcycle is safe enough to ride after an accident (or if it wasn’t working before), don’t use it until after repairs.
