What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle accident, you should try and remain calm to approach the situation logically. This may be easier said than done. However, once you’ve composed yourself, you need to make sure you take the proper steps. This is in order to avoid any potential legal problems or negative consequences of the accident. Keep reading for what you should do after a motorcycle accident, according to the New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney from Rossetti & DeVoto, P.C.
Check for Injuries
Immediately after your motorcycle accident, check yourself for any injuries, whether they are minor or major. Check any other victims in the accident for injuries as well. Once you do, immediately call 911 whether or not anyone was seriously injured. If you are worried, you will be accused of causing the accident because you are the one calling the police, don’t fret, because you will not be.
Do not ignore any signs of injury after a motorcycle accident. If you have the slightest bit of pain, a minor bruise, or even a scrap, it is in your best interest to accept medical treatment at the scene. If you are worried about pain appearing days after the accident, ask to be transported to the hospital for a more in-depth examination.
Acquire Evidence from the Motorcycle Accident
Whether you take any photos, videos or both, make sure that you document evidence of the accident you just experienced. Make sure to take pictures from various angles on your phone or any technology you have available to you. You are going to want this evidence to prove your innocence if you end up going to court. Documentation of the accident can help you with insurance during a court case as well. Evidence you need to document after a motorcycle crash includes:
- Damage to all motorcycles and vehicles involved
- Debris in the road
- Road conditions
- Road hazards
- Signs
- Traffic signals
Weather conditions- Injuries
Weather conditionsGet Your Bike Off the Road
As soon as you’ve gathered evidence of the accident and the area is safe, you should quickly move your motorcycle off the road. Not only is it dangerous to drivers and traffic, but drivers most likely will not be aware of the fact that an accident just occurred. More accidents and injuries can be caused by anything else on the road – such as your bike if you don’t move it, or debris – and it could be likely that you will be the one held responsible for it.
Collect Information
Get the names, phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses of anyone else that had any involvement in the motorcycle accident. Speak to any drivers, passengers and those who witnessed the motorcycle accident. Get vehicle names, their model and make, as well as license plate numbers. When the police get to the scene, they will create a police report which will have all the details of your case. Make sure to write down the name of your police officer. In addition to their police report number and badge number.
Contact Your Insurance
When you call your insurance agent or company after your company, make sure to give them all of the details from your accident that you have gathered. Keep in mind to never admit fault throughout this process. If your insurance asks about any damages or injuries, tell them you will give them information after you have your injuries checked out by a doctor. And, once a mechanic assesses your car’s damages. Often, injuries or pain can occur hours or days after your accident. Additionally, you may decrease compensation if you invalidate damages.
If the insurance company contacts you for the other drivers involved in the crash, do not answer their questions or provide them with any information. This is until you’ve spoken to a New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney. Anything you say to the other driver’s insurance company can be used to deny your claim. Or, provide you with a low-ball settlement offer.
Reach Out to an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The most common reason for motorcycle accidents is when the automobile driver fails to see the motorcyclist. Unfortunately, though, motorcycle accidents were taken to court usually put the biker at fault. At Rossetti & DeVoto, PC, we are cognizant of the fact that even the safest motorcyclists can fall victim to accidents.
Rossetti & DeVoto, PC has New Jersey’s most experienced and dedicated motorcycle accident lawyers. No matter what, we are ready to passionately fight unjust insurance companies who attempt to refuse compensation to innocent motorcycle riders whom negligent automobile drivers struck. Contact us today at (856) 354-0900 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
