Kuz Motorcycle Blog: What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
If you, a friend or a loved one are involved in motorcycle accident, many things flash through your mind. I have had several friends who have shared their story with me and, after listening to them, I realized there are several things every biker needs to be aware of.
Obviously, the first priority should be to determine whether you or anyone else is injured and then immediately call 911, police and medical help. You should gather and write down as much information about the accident as you can to protect yourself and provide valuable information for the insurance claim process.
Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you or your passengers have been injured.
Collect names, driver’s license numbers, contact information, home address, phone numbers, and insurance information for all motorcyclists and drivers involved in the crash.
Collect names and contact information for any witnesses to the accident. Please don’t limit yourself to those parties involved in the accident. Actively ask bystanders if they witnessed the accident and to provide you with their version of the accident. Most people want to help if they can.
Determine if any of the drivers involved in the accident appeared to be distracted and immediately inform the police investigating the accident whether a driver was talking on his or her phone or appeared to be texting. If you suspect the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, immediately inform the police as well.
Do your best to draw out a detailed description of the motorcycle accident, including which direction the vehicles were going before the accident. If you are not able to describe the accident, then have a friend or witness write it down. Include what the road conditions were like, what roads the vehicles were traveling on, what happened to cause the accident, what injuries occurred, what was damaged, and report what the police did at the scene such as issuing a ticket or administering a sobriety test.
Write down the contact information for every investigating officer at the scene of the accident. Include their name, badge number and a number to reach them. You should also write down the names of any emergency medical helpers, eye witnesses, passengers and tow truck responders.
Do not admit any fault. Contact a personal injury attorney with motorcycle accident experience as soon as possible after you have been involved in an accident.
Do not assume that the driver who hit you will admit fault, but write down their statement if they do. You are the first in the line of defense in protecting yourself during a claims investigation. The information you gather after an accident can prove invaluable to your claim.