In the wake of a motorcycle accident, it’s only natural for victims to want timely compensation. After all, with medical bills, repair costs and other accident-related expenses to worry about, it stands to reason that you’ll be feeling a strong degree of financial strain. While getting what you’re owned after a motorcycle accident isn’t always easy, obtaining compensation isn’t nearly as difficult as some people make it look. Should you ever find yourself the victim of a motorcycle accident for which you bear no responsibility, the following pointers can help you adeptly navigate the aftermath and obtain restitution in an expedient, low-stress fashion.
Prioritize Yourself Over Your Bike
Your motorcycle may be among your most prized possessions, but it’s not worth risking your life for. As such, in the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident, your personal well-being needs to take precedence over that of your bike. So, after a collision occurs, make sure to get yourself out of the road and to a safe location as quickly as possible. If the bike cannot be driven, leave it where it is, get to safety and do not go back for it. In the wake of an accident, you’re likely to be hit with a jolt of adrenaline, which can cloud your judgment and lead you to believe that going back for your bike is perfectly safe. However, this stands to cause additional accidents, resulting in additional injuries – or worse. If you’re fortunate enough to walk away from a motorcycle accident, don’t press your luck by wandering back into the road and attempting to retrieve your bike.
Make Sure There’s an Official Report of the Incident
To help ensure that your claim is processed in a timely manner, an official report of the accident will need to be made. So, regardless of whether or not you want to get law enforcement involved in the matter, you’ll need to call 911 after your accident. In many states, the police must be notified of any accident that results in injuries or damage to vehicles or property, so by failing to alert them, you may be in violation of the law.
Get a Full Accounting of Your Injuries
Just as the presence of police is necessary at the site of an accident, so too are emergency services. As stated above, you’re liable to receive a large jolt of adrenaline in the aftermath of an accident, and this stands to color your judgment in a number of ways. For instance, adrenaline may prevent you from realizing the full extent of your injuries, leading you to believe that an accident caused far less damage than it actually did.
To determine how injured you truly are – and what types of treatment your injuries will require – you’ll need to be checked out by EMTs and/or paramedics. Furthermore, make a point of photographing any injuries you’ve incurred as a result of the accident – provided, of course, you’re able to do so without exacerbating any of them. You should also make a point of leaving your helmet and other protective gear on until such time as emergency services arrive, as removing them stands to make certain injuries worse.
Swap Insurance Information with the Responsible Party
Since post-accident compensation is generally a matter that’s settled between insurers, take care to swap insurance info with the responsible party prior to exiting the scene. Additionally, keep in mind that motorcycle insurance is far from the same thing as cheap car insurance. Should the other motorist prove unwilling to provide you with their insurance information, don’t attempt to engage them in an argument. Instead, hang back and wait for the police to arrive, then make them aware of the situation.
Speak to an Attorney
Depending on the type of legal action you’re interested in taking against the responsible party, you may need to enlist the services of a good attorney. A knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer will make sure that you’re fully aware of your legal options and work tirelessly to get you the compensation you’re owed.
Being the victim of a motorcycle accident that’s the fault of another motorist can be a frustrating experience, to put it mildly. Furthermore, getting the compensation you’re owed can prove difficult for a number of reasons. Still, this isn’t to say that you should resign yourself to a long, drawn-out restitution process. Motorcycle accident victims looking for timely compensation would do well to utilize the tips outlined above.
