What you do after a motorcycle accident can have a big impact on the outcome of your case and your potential for financial recovery. You will want to take action as soon as possible, especially in the days following your motorcycle accident.
If you’re feeling completely overwhelmed about where to start first, a motorcycle accident lawyer can handle the legal details for you. At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping victims of motorcycle accidents win the compensation they deserve for more than 20 years.
Eight Things to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
To protect your legal rights and seek the fullest compensation possible, here are some of the most important things you should do the day of and in the days following your accident.
Get the strong arm
1. Exchange Information
Once it’s safe to do so, talk to the other driver in the accident and exchange the following important information:
- Full names
- Phone numbers
- Addresses
- Insurance information
- Driver’s license numbers
- License plate numbers
You’ll also want to note the make and model of the driver’s vehicle and their physical description. If there are several parties involved in the accident, get information from all of them and be sure to keep it organized. You will need all of this information for your motorcycle accident claim.
2. Report the Motorcycle Accident
Reporting a motorcycle accident is always a good idea. Every state has slightly different laws about reporting accidents. In Georgia, an accident is defined as the collision of a motor vehicle with another vehicle or object that results in physical injuries, death, or property damage exceeding $500 (Georgia Code § 40-9-2).
Call 911 to report the accident to the police. Tell the dispatcher what happened and that you were injured. If you or anyone else at the scene needs emergency medical treatment, tell the dispatcher that you’ll need an ambulance.
Officers will create a report of the accident, which is crucial because it creates the first record of the crash.
3. Document the Scene
While you wait for the police to arrive, do what you can to document the scene. That includes taking pictures of:
- Your injuries
- Your motorcycle damage
- The location of all vehicles in the accident
- The entire accident scene
- Multiple shots of the accident
You might also make notes about what you remember from the accident, including which why each vehicle was traveling, the weather, speed limit, and other factors. These details can be very important for proving what happened in your motorcycle accident claim.
4. Get the Contact Information of Witnesses
The last thing you’ll want to do at the scene is to talk to anyone who might have witnessed your accident. Ask what they saw and get their full name(s), phone number(s), and physical address(es). You might record their accounts on your phone or write it down.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer will also reach out to witnesses later to get statements. Witness statements can be incredibly helpful in a motorcycle accident case.
5. See a Doctor
In the day following your motorcycle accident, you’ll also want to get medical attention. If you can, go on the same day as your accident. Seeing a doctor will create a record of your injuries and also give you an idea of your treatment needs.
If you wait too long to get medical attention, it can really hurt your case. The insurance company might try to say that you were not hurt as badly as you say or that your injuries were not related to the accident. To protect your legal rights, see a doctor as soon as possible and schedule a follow up if your injuries change or worsen.
6. Be Careful What You Say to the Insurance Company
After your accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company might reach out to you. Be very wary about talking to them at all, especially if they ask you to sign anything or give a recorded statement. You do not want to do either of those things without speaking to a lawyer first.
In most cases, it’s best to let a motorcycle accident lawyer handle communication with the insurance company. That’s because insurance companies are always looking for ways to intimidate victims or get information that can be used against them. They might blame you for the accident or offer you a lowball settlement and make you feel like it’s the best offer you can get.
Insurance companies are not on your side, so be careful about communicating with them at all without the help of a lawyer.
7. Document All Damages
In the days following your motorcycle accident, keep track of all the personal injury damages you face because of the accident. That includes saving:
- Medical bills
- Doctor notes
- Copies of payments or quotes for motorcycle damage
- Receipts for prescription medications
It’s best to have a folder where you keep track of any documentation that helps show how the accident has impacted you. If you’re not sure what to save, your motorcycle accident attorney can help.
8. Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Although this is our last step, it’s best to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible the day-of or in the days after your accident. You’ll want to work with an attorney who has experience working on motorcycle cases. They can listen to the details of your accident and help you begin gathering a strong case for compensation.
If you are careful to document the accident and save evidence of your damages after a motorcycle accident, you’ll be in the best position to file a claim for compensation. The goal is to pursue the fullest financial recovery possible for your costs.
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free Today
John Foy & Associates has 20 plus years of experience helping motorcycle accident victims win what they need to cover their costs and move on from the accident. We can help you, too, starting with a FREE consultation. Plus, we don’t charge a fee unless we win you money.
To schedule your FREE consultation today, contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
