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Any motor vehicle collision can result in serious injuries, but motorcycle accidents can be particularly traumatic for everyone involved. Even the most vigilant biker may fall victim to negligent or reckless drivers on the road, and if you are hurt in an accident, you may not know where to turn for help.
At The Sevey Law Firm, we help accident victims every day fight negligent drivers and riders in personal injury suits, but we also want to help Roseville residents understand what to do in the moments and hours immediately after a motorcycle accident. Here are some helpful steps you can follow after a motorcycle accident to take care of yourself and your future personal injury claim.
The very first thing you should do after a motorcycle accident is always to call 911 if you are able. Make sure you’ve got a good read on the situation before you tell the dispatcher what you need. Because motorcycle accidents have such a potential to cause serious or fatal injuries, it is very possible that someone will need emergency medical attention. If this is the case, ask for an ambulance. If not, you still need to get the police on the scene so that they can start on a report that will prove useful later on.
Every driver in the State of California is required to carry liability insurance, and that includes motorcycle riders. Ask the other person for their insurance information, and give them yours. If they will not give their information to you, let the police know as soon as they arrive at the scene, and they will get it for you.
When the police arrive at the scene, they will start piecing together what happened for a report and make sure that both parties are cooperating with each other regarding the insurance exchange. Be sure to answer all of their questions honestly and give them a clear and accurate explanation of what happened. Some of the things an officer says might sound accusatory, but in reality, they are just trying to figure out what happened. It is understandable for emotions to be running high after an accident, but try to remain calm.
Before, between, and after your interactions with the police, you should be gathering evidence of your own, especially if you believe the other driver was at least partially at fault for the accident. Take pictures of the scene of the accident, including what happened to the motorcycle and the car. Be sure to capture images of any skid marks, damaged rails, or other evidence of how the cars traveled during the accident.
If there are witnesses nearby, ask them to record their accounts of what happened. Once you have gathered evidence of what happened and finished talking to the police, you are free to leave the scene of the accident.
One of the first things you should do after leaving is to report the accident to your insurance company. This will begin the claims process and start you on the road to receiving compensation for your medical bills, vehicle repairs, and more. Be sure that what you tell your insurer matches what you told the police – they will receive a police report before too long.
Another extremely important step after any accident is to seek medical attention. Even if you did not need to go to the emergency room, you are likely injured in some way, particularly if you were the one riding the motorcycle and you fell over or were flung from your bike. In any case, your doctor will help you understand the extent of your injuries – including those you may not have noticed – and get you started on your medical recovery. Be sure to save any and all documentation and receipts – you will need these later in the claims process to receive compensation.
Once you have taken all of the previous steps, you can start looking ahead and thinking about how you will handle your recovery. Whether you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car, if you believe you were injured due to the other driver’s negligence, you should consider taking legal action. You could be owed significant compensation for your injuries which could be recovered through a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the specifics of your accident and injuries, you could potentially recover damages for:
If you are considering legal action, you should contact a Roseville motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years, but it is best to get started much sooner than that, as evidence will be easier to gather and your case will be easier to make.
Effectively handling the aftermath of a motorcycle accident is extremely important. So is having the right lawyer in your corner for your personal injury claim. The Roseville motorcycle accident lawyers at The Sevey Law Firm have years of experience, along with the hard work and dedication needed to help you fight a negligent driver for compensation. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis – that means that you will not pay a penny unless you win. So don’t hesitate: call now at (916) 788-7100 or contact us online for more information and to set up a free consultation.