Statistics show that approximately 5,000 people are killed in motorcycle accidents in the US each and every year, and it’s easy to see that motorcyclists often face more risks on the road than car or SUV drivers.
Since motorcycles are smaller vehicles, they offer riders less protection than a car or van. They’re also less easy to spot and can drift into blind spots of other vehicles, raising the likelihood of accidents occurring in the first place.
For this reason, motorcyclists need to drive carefully, acknowledging the fact that they could very well find themselves involved in an accident through no fault of their own. If you do end up in an accident, here are the key steps to follow.
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Check for Injuries
Before you start worrying about exchanging information with the other driver or contacting your motorcycle insurance company, it’s important to first focus on your health and well-being. Motorcycle accidents can be deadly, and even the most minor of collisions can lead to serious injuries, so be sure to check yourself over for any cuts, scrapes, or broken bones.
If you don’t feel any immediate pains or problems, you should be able to safely get over to the side of the road, away from traffic, and you may be able to guide your bike out of harm’s way too. If you do feel injured, especially in the neck area, try to avoid moving on your own and wait for the emergency services to arrive.
Report the Incident
As long as you’re not severely injured and are able to move around, you should report the incident to the police. This may prove to be very useful later on, especially if a legal case develops and your legal team needs as much evidence as it can get to build your defense.
All incidents, even minor ones, should be reported to the police. This will allow the officers to file an official report and send someone out to the scene to resolve any disputes, calm any angry or agitated drivers, and help you through the next steps of the process too.
Documentation and Exchanging Information
Next, you should take some time to document the site of the accident. Again, this can prove to be invaluable later on for your attorney, should the matter make its way to court, and any photos you take or documentation you can provide will help to give you a stronger case and a bigger chance of a successful outcome when making a claim.
Take photos of the scene itself, as well as of your vehicle, the other vehicle, and any visible injuries on yourself or your passenger too. You should also take this time to note down the license plate of the other vehicle, as well as exchanging information with the driver, including their name, contact information, and insurance details too.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Next, you’ll need to make some calls. After reporting the incident to the police, you should also make sure to call your insurance provider and let them know what happened. It’s important not to admit to any kind of guilt or responsibility at this stage, however, as this may affect your claim. Simply state that an accident has occurred so that the policy provider knows about it.
Next, you’ll most likely want to call a motorcycle accident attorney. An experienced, qualified attorney will be able to guide you through the rest of the process, helping you avoid falling into the traps of insurance adjusters and leading you towards a successful claim for your case.
Get Medical Help
Even if you don’t feel in pain or can’t see any visible injuries on your body, it’s very much recommended to visit a doctor and get yourself checked over after an accident. Often, victims of accidents don’t notice any pain straight away, and it may take a day or two for their injuries to start appearing.
A doctor can help to diagnose these injuries in advance and prescribe medication or make recommendations regarding what you should do next to enjoy a speedy, successful recovery. Be sure to follow any advice your doctor gives.
Conclusion
Every motorcyclist hopes that they’ll never be involved in any accidents, and as long as you drive safely and sensibly, your risks will be quite low. However, you can never completely eliminate the risk, so it’s always wise to know exactly what to do and how to react after an accident in order to help the whole process flow smoothly.
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